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Co Workers must be jealous but, what do I do?

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Co Workers must be jealous but, what do I do?

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Old 09-12-14, 07:39 AM
  #126  
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Originally Posted by caloso
I derive so much privilege and advantage in this society simply for having a Y chromosome that I would really hesitate to complain about a double standard in clothing expectations.
An attitude like that is bound to make you more popular with women than one where you think they like being with a real sweaty and smelly man
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Old 09-12-14, 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by risant
This irritated me enough to finally register for the forums. (Have been reading 2-3 month, haven't bothered til now)

I live in Michigan and I live 2 miles from work. However, I generally take the long way and bike 9-15 miles one way to work and generally do the same on the return trip. Today it was low 50's on my ride in and with a t-shirt jersey and long biking pants I still arrived with a soaking wet shirt. Some of us sweat no matter what. I'm not much overweight anymore, I think I'm down to 207# at 6'1", but I still sweat like crazy.

Before someone brings it up, even if I take the "short" way to work I still have a sweaty shirt. When it was high 80's to 90's a few weeks back I was sweating so much that it looked like I rode in the rain.
Welcome to Bike Forums!

As I see it, people tend to fall into a trap of thinking that their own experience, expert as it may be in their own situation, should apply universally. But there is a huge range of environments and riding styles represented here. That's kind of what makes it interesting.
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Old 09-12-14, 11:01 AM
  #128  
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Girls look good in leather chaps.....But I'm guessing most don't show up to work like that......

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Old 09-12-14, 11:12 AM
  #129  
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Just this morning before I had a chance to change a coworker commented on my figure, and it was a compliment. I was not sweaty any more, but I was still gross; she did not seem to mind.
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Old 09-13-14, 03:18 AM
  #130  
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Originally Posted by alan s
I know this may be hard to believe, but I am propositioned by women several times a week when commuting wearing spandex. Women universally seem to love sweat and sweaty smells and a guy wearing skin tight clothes, a man who's not afraid to show off his manliness in public. Also, I don't shave my legs, because sweat soaked hair only enhances the appeal.

One time, I wore work clothes and nothing . . . . . even the sweat didn't seem to help.
People in general, save a few here and there, do not understand an adult on a bicycle for not-fitness/recreation purposes, so no matter what i've worn, i get the same kinds of attention fairly consistently. When i got down to 215 a few years ago, i would get stares from people "checking me out" but now that i'm older, wiser, and care way less, i wear frumpy plain street clothes, and tend to blend in after the sweat evaporates. But, if i am fresh off the seat in warm weather, i will sparkle like a twilight vampire in the sun. In winter it's all moot, as i wear winter clothing & everything is covered up.

I think the only complaint i've ever received was one time meeting someone for a date....... i showed up on time vs my normal early and i had not dabbed myself dry with a few napkins & i got a "wow that's gross". I promptly & kindly pretended like i had to go after that one. Can't win 'em all i suppose....

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Old 09-13-14, 04:29 AM
  #131  
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My office experience had been more of being made fun of by my buddies when I show up in spandex. One of my good friends started asking me if I could get my clothes any smaller? Or he would call me Extra-Medium cuz I used to wear an XL now I wear a Medium.
I wear Bike-To-Work Jeans by BetaBrand along with some of there other bike-to-work shirts etc. We don't have a shower so I must be kind of stinky after my 18 mile commute. I don't care, I'm smell blind and I only work with guys.
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Old 09-13-14, 05:23 AM
  #132  
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Originally Posted by SkippyX
Cold front coming through on Fri. evening, according to the weatherman. The first one since....June?...May?....

It's only supposed to get up to 85 on Saturday. Hope it doesn't rain much.
A bona fide cold front does not help the way I look in spandex at all.
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Old 09-13-14, 07:52 AM
  #133  
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Spandex looks OK if you have a body shape for it and if you're very fit... But if you're out of shape with beer gut and pot belly hanging out then you're just making yourself look like an idiot.
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Old 09-13-14, 03:59 PM
  #134  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
Spandex looks OK if you have a body shape for it and if you're very fit... But if you're out of shape with beer gut and pot belly hanging out then you're just making yourself look like an idiot.
Some here, and virtually every non-cyclist on earth would say that if you are wearing Spandex(R) and not wearing a race number and entered in a bike race, you look like an idiot.
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Old 09-13-14, 04:47 PM
  #135  
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Do people think that bike racers just magically turn up at a race in race fitness without ever riding a bike?
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Old 09-13-14, 05:25 PM
  #136  
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Originally Posted by caloso
Do people think that bike racers just magically turn up at a race in race fitness without ever riding a bike?
By arriving at their work site dripping with sweat and dressed in inappropriate clothes for the worksite; and proud of it? Or is it by daydreaming about how such magical arrivals arouse the sexual desires of their co-workers?
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Old 09-13-14, 05:32 PM
  #137  
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Originally Posted by caloso
Do people think that bike racers just magically turn up at a race in race fitness without ever riding a bike?
Maybe ↑↑↑this↑↑↑ is why I never did well in races
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Old 09-13-14, 05:35 PM
  #138  
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
Some here, and virtually every non-cyclist on earth would say that if you are wearing Spandex(R) and not wearing a race number and entered in a bike race, you look like an idiot.
Right, with that logic, basketball players should practice in cargo shorts and crocs. They should only wear basketball shorts, jerseys, and sneakers on 'game day'. Runners should train in jeans and a t-shirt unless it's an actual marathon. And on and on...

To some, cycling is a sport. These folks choose to wear clothing geared towards better performance. Some use commuting as a way to squeeze in some training. As with any sport training, you want to mimic the conditions you will encounter during a competitive event, including wearing the proper attire.

To others, cycling specific clothing makes commuting, road riding, etc...more of a pleasure, for a myriad of established and valid reasons.

There is an endless variety of practical, subdued cycling specific ''spandex'' clothing that is geared towards those that want the benefit of these materials without looking like a racer 'wannabe' or whatever.

Get over yourself
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Old 09-13-14, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by cobrabyte
Right, with that logic, basketball players should practice in cargo shorts and crocs. They should only wear basketball shorts, jerseys, and sneakers on 'game day'. Runners should train in jeans and a t-shirt unless it's an actual marathon. And on and on...

[Skip]

Get over yourself
Why is it so hard to understand that the work site is not a gym, nor the playing field, nor the athletic training fieldhouse, and is not the place to parade through as if it were.

Get over yourself, indeed. Co-workers of cyclists are not necessarily willing cheerleaders nor spectators for their athletic endeavors.
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Old 09-13-14, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by cobrabyte
OP; have you considered arriving to work in women's business attire? A sharp skirt suit, perhaps? As long as it follows the dress code, right?
Extra points if you come in riding sidesaddle.
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Old 09-13-14, 06:42 PM
  #141  
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Hard to believe, but true: it's actually possible to wear a jersey and bibs on a training ride that doubles as a commute, get cleaned up, and then appear in the office in a suit and tie. Appropriate apparel on the bike and appropriate apparel at work.
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Old 09-13-14, 07:25 PM
  #142  
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Why is it so hard to understand that the work site is not a gym, nor the playing field, nor the athletic training fieldhouse, and is not the place to parade through as if it were.

Get over yourself, indeed. Co-workers of cyclists are not necessarily willing cheerleaders nor spectators for their athletic endeavors.
from page 1

Originally Posted by cobrabyte
We can't expect preferential treatment because we choose to commute by bike. If there is an office dress code, then one should arrive to work in the appropriate attire. If the restroom is a shared space, it shouldn't be expected that one can use it as a personal changing room.

Best route is to use the gym as your new transition area, and get to work ready for work.

It's all silly, really. Offices are full of people just waiting to be offended by something.
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Old 09-13-14, 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by cobrabyte
from page 1
Apparently you forgot what you posted on page 1 when you posted these "logical" excuses for wearing inappropriate training/exercise/performance/sports clothes at the worksite on page 6:
Originally Posted by cobrabyte
Right, with that logic, basketball players should practice in cargo shorts and crocs. They should only wear basketball shorts, jerseys, and sneakers on 'game day'. Runners should train in jeans and a t-shirt unless it's an actual marathon. And on and on...

To some, cycling is a sport. These folks choose to wear clothing geared towards better performance. Some use commuting as a way to squeeze in some training. As with any sport training, you want to mimic the conditions you will encounter during a competitive event, including wearing the proper attire.

To others, cycling specific clothing makes commuting, road riding, etc...more of a pleasure, for a myriad of established and valid reasons.
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Old 09-14-14, 12:15 AM
  #144  
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Why is it so hard to understand that the work site is not a gym, nor the playing field, nor the athletic training fieldhouse, and is not the place to parade through as if it were.

Get over yourself, indeed. Co-workers of cyclists are not necessarily willing cheerleaders nor spectators for their athletic endeavors.
Well, hell, if what cobrabyte wears to work vexes you so, why don't you just fire him and be done with it?

Oh, wait...
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Old 09-14-14, 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 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.
If I ever find the one true frame I'm looking for I'm changing my signature line to your last sentence there!

I've got no dog in this fight. I wear baggy shorts over my bibs because I feel exposed just wearing the bib shorts and I want pockets. What other folks do is their business. I am reminded how lucky I am that my work makes at least a half-assed attempt to support cyclists by having an old dis-used locker room and shower for us to use.
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Old 09-14-14, 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
That sounds more like a war zone then a competitive event. Is this case a camouflage cargo shorts would be a more appropriate then a skin tight spandex costume.
Nailed it! I wear orange camouflage cargo shorts over my bib shorts!
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Old 09-14-14, 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Apparently you forgot what you posted on page 1 when you posted these "logical" excuses for wearing inappropriate training/exercise/performance/sports clothes at the worksite on page 6:
Where in this post (or anywhere else, for that matter) did I suggest anyone wear this attire to the office?:

Originally Posted by cobrabyte
Right, with that logic, basketball players should practice in cargo shorts and crocs. They should only wear basketball shorts, jerseys, and sneakers on 'game day'. Runners should train in jeans and a t-shirt unless it's an actual marathon. And on and on...

To some, cycling is a sport. These folks choose to wear clothing geared towards better performance. Some use commuting as a way to squeeze in some training. As with any sport training, you want to mimic the conditions you will encounter during a competitive event, including wearing the proper attire.

To others, cycling specific clothing makes commuting, road riding, etc...more of a pleasure, for a myriad of established and valid reasons.

There is an endless variety of practical, subdued cycling specific ''spandex'' clothing that is geared towards those that want the benefit of these materials without looking like a racer 'wannabe' or whatever.

Get over yourself
Please, outline it for me...

That's right, you can't, because it's not there. That's a leap in logic (assumptive reasoning) YOU took in a poor attempt to create an argument where none exists.

My posts do not conflict with each other. My position that the OP wear the attire he prefers to commute in to the gym, then change prior to arriving to the office, remains.

Don't fret, I-Like-To-Bicker, you'll get 'em next time, buddy.
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Old 09-14-14, 07:03 AM
  #148  
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I agree that you have to dress for the occasion, and at work, at means dress for work. You can do someone athletic before work, including riding your bike to work, but when you're at work, and you're not on your bike any more.

I have ridden to job interviews in the summer and arrived sweaty. I covered up with a suit jacket or so-called sport jacket. (Who does sports in sport jackets?!) Sure, it makes me even hotter, but so what. In that occasion, it actually is more important to look good than to feel good.

I like the cargo shorts over bike shorts idea. OK if cargo shorts are OK at your workplace.
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Old 09-14-14, 10:35 AM
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Sheeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiit, I was a Teamster for years. Would stand at the punch clock in kit on days I was getting a ride in after work. Got my balls broke, as well I should have. Teamster ladies are unimpressed be lycra according to my unscientific survey. HR never had boo to say. We got 5 minutes wash up/change time at the end of the shift. As long as I wasn't parading around before then, I wasn't on their time and was entitled to be in my own clothes. Lots of people would probably benefit from a union workplace.


And to all the naysayers who are saying it is inappropriate to be seen before or after ones shift dressed in lycra, I am guessing you are either retired, very much towards the end of your careers, or work in very small shops. Large companies are facing very high insurance costs and many are taking steps to encourage physical fitness in the workforce.
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Old 09-14-14, 10:41 AM
  #150  
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
Spandex looks OK if you have a body shape for it and if you're very fit... But if you're out of shape with beer gut and pot belly hanging out then you're just making yourself look like an idiot.
I don't guess I'm good looking enough that I can afford to be that judgmental about the appearance of others.
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