jason_h

Walter, actually my argument is more an appeal to humanist way of thinking. Morality has nothing to do with it, although I could see how using the word "virtue" could be construed as an appeal to morality. Basically the argument is this, we are not lowly animals, and because we are not lowly animals, we have all sorts of esoteric social contracts established to allow us humans to interact and function on a higher plane than that of the beasts of the field. One of those social contracts is that when in public, one makes the sacrifice for the greater good by being modest.

Believe me, I do not want to look at your crotch any more than I want to stare into the sun, but sometimes our eyes are involuntarily averted to looking at things we don't want to. Likely part of our survival instinct, but one that can go horribly awry when some guy walks into the room with his member on full display wrapped in shimmery lycra.

I realize this opinion will not be popular with most bicycle enthusiasts, but I think wearing spandex should be strictly limited to competitive events. To be honest, in my opinion, it would be nice to completely eradicate spandex from the sport, as it's just a very tacky way to adorn the human body. Maybe some sort of thicker polypropylene/gore-tex/wool/whatever blend of fabric that would allow the human form to be a bit more shrouded would be more tasteful.

As for commuting, if one pays attention to the temperature before leaving for work, one can dress down or up as necesary to limit perspiration. I find I really only sweat above the waistband on humid, warm mornings, so many times I will just were a tshirt while on the bike and then put on a collared shirt when I get to work. Limiting one's pace also helps, as the wind will wick away a lot of perspiration. I will also carry my lunch, etc. in bags attached to the bike so that there is nothing on my back to trap moisture. I have never had a problem wearing khakis or dress pants on a bike, or of smelling off, as I take a shower and deodorize in the morning before coming to work. As for the ride home, when it is over 100F out, yeah you are going to be sweaty mess when you get home, but who cares, you now don't have to worry about modesty anymore in the confines of your abode.

That all said, I apologize if my post made late last night might have come off as a bit strident in its prose. I tend to get a bit opinionated when I am tired.

joeyduck

@jason_h

Some people sweat more. I sweat at 9pm on a slow 800m ride to the store. For me to not sweat on an average weather day in the spring or summer I would probably have to pedal at 7km/h in a speedo. It would take me hour and a half to get to work. Then I am faced with wearing a speedo. I also live in a nearly perfect climate.

I also find spandex is crucial to not crush my wedding tackle between my legs and seat.

I am comfortable in spandex, it is still more clothes than I wore as a swimmer in university. I am in decent shape and wear a speedo to the beach also. I still look better than flabby guys with guts, arm band tattoos and tiny legs in board shorts.

alan s 

Bike commuting is a competitive event.

mgw4jc

I take it you are not a fan of the ballet either.

This. Cycling shorts have padding. I prefer that over a padded seat. And the tight fitting shorts prevent chafing which I have had when wearing street clothes on a longer commute.

I have the same situation as the OP, show up in cycling gear, go straight to bathroom and change. Other workers are getting there at the same time and see me in my before and after. So far no complaints. I think they either envy my dedication to bike commuting or feel sorry for me for not having a car to drive.

I-Like-To-Bike

The cyclists referred to in your earlier post who sashay through the workplace wearing provocative clothing and "have no problem with the way God made us and don't care what people like you think about it."

Edit:
Added your subsequent argumentative (and proud of it) post:

I-Like-To-Bike

People who wear their ballet clothes to/at the workplace, unless it is the ballet, probably don't stay employed for long.
People who wear their speedo to/at the workplace, unless it is the beach, probably don't stay employed for long.

Walter S

I disagree. And I don't know what's "lowly" about being an animal. I think it's a snooty human attitude to think that our form of intelligence is somehow noble and better than that of other creatures that we share this planet with.

Sounds like a personal problem. You might want to discuss this with your therapist.

It's a good thing this a free country. Every day is a competitive event for me. I'm into fitness and I exploit my commute by indulging myself in a good workout. In the process I get very sweaty, and I find certain clothes that are quick drying to be important for doing this year round.

I feel a little bit sorry for you actually. I'm sorry this is so disturbing. I'm glad I don't care what people adorn their bodies with. Afterall, it's their body, not mine.

I don't know where you live. But I live in the deep south. This morning I showed up to work drenched in sweat. When I hang up my clothes they will literally drip on the floor if I don't wring them out first. If I slowed down enough to not sweat much that would add at least 1/2 hour if not more to my one-way time. And as I'm sure you can tell from earlier comments, I'm not compelled to make a sacrifice like that for reasons of modesty.

When it comes to offending people by my dress, I simply have little concern for that. If that makes me an inconsiderate person then so be it. If my visual image is seen as offensive I think that's a problem that the viewer needs to get over. I'm helping them do that by exposing myself regularly for the therapeutic effect.

caloso

What about during training for competitive events?

thelazywon

I think jason_h may be a never nude.

joeyduck

@I-Like-To-Bike

I agree I wouldn't have a job to long. Mainly due to it being unsafe lab attire, I would need safety glasses and closed toe shoes.

The mainly middle age women I work with would likely enjoy it.

I-Like-To-Bike

See https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...l#post17118213

Walter S

I think you must be saying that my posts are not consistent with themselves. I can see how you might think so. On the one hand I say, follow the dress code and on the other hand I say I don't care about exposing myself and get over it.

When I say I don't care about how "people" perceive my dress, I'm talking about the public at large. But I do in fact care deeply about anything that my employer finds objectionable because I want to remain in good standing at my job. So like I've said earlier I come in the service entrance at work. I show up early before much is going on, get my shower and when the day gets really cranking I'm looking professional.

the sci guy 

@SkippyX, Ha. I'm born & raised in Syracuse. Now also living in Houston, and also commuting to work in the energy corridor area. I go home through Terry Hershey/Eldridge Pkwy. I don't wear a kit, I wear some gym shorts with a liner from Lululemon, and aasics UPF 50 long sleeve shirts (and a few older Champion C9 duo-dry ones).

We have a gym onsite with locker room and showers, but I shower at home before I ride in. I freshen up in the locker room and change.

But the solution is the first response in the thread - change and get ready in the gym. In fact - i don't understand how this wasn't happening already? Why would you keep toiletries and stuff in your office? Why are they not in a saddle bag or a pannier with your clothes? Makes no sense to me to have to make 2 extra trips (up to office, then back to gym).

joeyduck

@the sci guy and @SkippyX

I grew up just outside of Watertown and my sister and mom still live near Syracuse.

I couldn't imagine living in the heat of Houston.

I-Like-To-Bike

Objectionable dress at the work location IS the topic raised by the OP and under discussion.

As an aside to the other poster who brought up the cute subject of objecting to ballet clothes; that poster should try wearing ballet clothes when going out to attend a ballet. Care to guess at the response from the other "ballet fans"?

achoo

What about swim suits?

Gymnasts?

Wrestlers?

Speed skaters?

Divers?

Lemme guess - you've never competed in any actual sport.

Ever.

spare_wheel

The average dutch bike trip is ~1.2 miles. Most major dutch cities are remarkably flat. The maritime dutch climate is quite cool year round. Many dutch commutes would not be considered bike commutes in the USA because they are multi-modal (e.g. bike a mile to the train station).

Biking 1.5 miles in jeans when it's 18 C is very different from biking 6 miles in jeans when it's 34 C.

Walter S

That's how the thread started. And my advice was to follow the dress code. Then we had more comments about what I perceived as morality issues around how bikers should dress. So I separately responded to that.

Do I agree that you should follow the dress code of your employer? Of course.
Do I agree that spandex and other biker clothes should not be worn in public? Of course I don't.

ill.clyde

One of the most ridiculous things I've ever read here, and I'm one that opts to wear baggy shorts over my bibs.

As has been asked, what about while training for a competitive event? What about those of us who view (at least one leg of our commute) a training opportunity or a workout?

And where do I get shimmery lycra? Because mine doesn't shimmer and I believe I now want it to.

alan s 

Guys wearing tank tops or no shirts should be banned from cycling.

Leisesturm

You know... just saying... bike clothes are made the way they are for the aero. It's not to show off your pecs... or your junk. A long enough commute is IMO long enough to want to complete with dispatch. That means quickly. This is not the first time I've heard the advice to slow down so that you don't get sweaty. WHAT?? What inventive commuter mind came up with that one? I don't know when I noticed that mens bike shorts were being made in "modesty preserving" versions but it was a sad day let me tell you. So. men are now in effect wearing two pairs of shorts... one tight and one loose over that. At least they don't charge you double for the urban commuter versions.

Early athletes competed nude. Olympic female athletes may as well be nude. Some porn channels have European competitive events as a feature, the content is that hot. Hmmm. There is a point in there I'm sure of it. Two thirds of Americans are overweight and one third are obese. In some sub-groups 4/5 of women are overweight and obese. I don't think the desire for modesty came about when we started getting gross and disgusting to look at. I think we became fat because the faux puritanism created a false modesty that concealsed the problem and allowed people to get gross and disgusting and it didn't become obvious to anyone else until it was too late.

Wanderer

Whatever you do, do not press the gender issue...... you will only make it worse for others.

Ask the bosses, HR people, what it is about your cycle attire they object to, and try to work around that issue. (Do take he time to expound on the advantages of it, and remind them there might be tax advantages for them because you do bicycle to work.)

tjspiel

What is considered "modest" is completely subjective, and varies from culture to culture as well as form person to person. Even within the same culture, it varies over time. And while today you might be bothered by the sight of bike shorts, if you saw people wearing them every day to work eventually it would have no effect on you at all. For that matter, there is a lot of variance among bike shorts about how much of the male member is "outlined". Some are plenty modest in that regard.

We've let the fact that most of us commute in climate controlled bubbles dictate what is appropriate to wear to and from work. At the same time we recognize that weather sometimes dictates what we will wear. For example, if it's cold we might throw on a hat that we'd never actually wear during a presentation. I know women who have favorite sweaters that they'd never wear to a meeting with a customer but will wear them in their cubes or offices.

So the idea that we must be presentable the second we set foot in the office and remain that way until we get home is a false one. We make all sorts of accommodations all the time.

Further, while I could commute on the hottest days in my work pants, I would be miserable doing so. Yes, it's OK to be a sweaty mess when I get home but I'd prefer to be able to wear the same pair of pants more than once before having to wash them.

Really what it comes down to is that the OP varied from the implied dress code in a way his coworkers are not used to seeing. It bothered them even though they themselves most likely vary from the dress code on a regular basis. He is doing so for reasons that should be encouraged rather than discouraged.

Walter S

+1. The last shorts I bought are made for a woman. I hated all the long legs on men's shorts for summertime.

+2! Tell it like it is. I admit it. I like tight fitting clothes in part because I'm proud of being such a specimen and because I can't get fat and not know it.

I-Like-To-Bike

Any solid information about the "average" North American bicycle trip? Or if it is more or less than the "average dutch bike trip"?