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Anyone wear just regular shorts over their cycling shorts?

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Anyone wear just regular shorts over their cycling shorts?

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Old 07-16-14, 03:12 PM
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Also you guys should write a letter thanking the 5 year olds in Bangladesh for stitching shirts 12 hours a day so you don't have to pay more than $5.
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Old 07-16-14, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by MattFoley
First, let me say this...don't get "baggy" shorts or athletic shorts. Get a nice pair of well-fitted shorts that are comfortable...they don't have to be bike-specific, but it helps. Swrve makes awesome "regular" shorts, as does Betabrand and Giro. Baggy MTB shorts look more ridiculous than straight bibs. There are generally two circumstances where I where "regular" shorts (or pants when it's cooler) while riding: 1) Commuting. Mainly because I have a long walk through my office building and people here seem to get scandalized by spandex because they are idiots. In these circumstances, I usually wear bibs underneath. If I have a group ride or longer ride planned after work, I suck it up and go with just bibs. 2) Errand running/bike transpo. If I'm going to be off the bike in public, I try to look as non-bikey as possible. This is less about looking goofy and more about presenting cycling as an activity "normal" people do. In these cases, I usually skip the bibs and just wear polyester boxer briefs, which wick better than cotton and don't chafe.
Thank you. Finally a straight answer. Much appreciated. I'll check those brands out.
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Old 07-16-14, 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by kevmk81

If someone gets offended by me wearing bike shorts, it's their own fault. Deal with it. "I just rode 20+ miles before I got here, what did you do?" I don't look atrocious in a kit, and don't look like a dork. I'm tired of that stigma. Some kits are dorky, others not so much. Why do people care what other people wear? As long as I don't see your underwear, you can don whatever you feel like wearing. And no, not every cycling short allows you to see the angle of the dangle. The first few times I bought cycling shorts, yes that's true, but I've since learned about better quality shorts, and when to replace them. Even more so when I layer for the winter. Below 30 F and I'm wearing cycling shorts, and two layers of running tights.
Yes you do. Everyone looks like a dork in full kit.
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Old 07-16-14, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by pgjackson
Yes you do. Everyone looks like a dork in full kit.
I think they just look like someone going for a ride.
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Old 07-16-14, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by pgjackson
Yes you do. Everyone looks like a dork in full kit.
Compared to laughable things you see walking through Walmart and other stores, I never give it a thought walking into a public place in full kit. I will say, I do avoid having the gals see me at work in spandex since I know they won't be able to control themselves afterward.
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Old 07-16-14, 05:27 PM
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No, too hot to wear. I'm not that self conscious about what others think of me. I'm fat and in spandex with other cycling gear. At least I'm trying to loose weight unlike a lot of other fat people wearing spandex pants because they think it looks good on them.
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Old 07-16-14, 05:33 PM
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I wear MTB black shorts that are the common gym shorts outer and spandex in. Feel great and not too hot in the sun that I have noticed. Cost was 30.00 on sale so I grabbed them.
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Old 07-16-14, 05:59 PM
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Anyone wear just regular shorts over their cycling shorts?

I dont have any problem with bike shorts and jumper. I grew up with wool shorts and jersey, wool tights in the cool months, so no self consciousness there. Although I would get a lot more inquisitive looks back in the '70's.

That being said I ride quite often in cargo shorts over bike shorts, and a tee shirt. Oh, and get this - no helmet! I mean road cycling can be just a recreational ride, you don't have to be blasting down the road all the time.
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Old 07-16-14, 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by banerjek
For short rides that go someplace where I have to deal with people, I just wear convertible pants and a technical button down shirt. Once I arrive, I just zip on the legs and look presentable enough for most meetings
reminds me on the rare occasions I wore bike shorts alone (long ride with only 1 stop) I brought other shorts to whip on for going into the lunch spot
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Old 07-16-14, 06:12 PM
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I wear bike shorts for regular riding. There's no need to walk around except go in a convenience store.

When I run errands, go to the beach, bank, or dinner/bar, I wear regular clothes (shorts and a tshirt/polo shirt) and ride a single speed with flip flops.
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Old 07-16-14, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by therhodeo
I live in redneck central here and the only people I get crap from are my sisters who are just pissed because I'm skinny.
Same here in semi rural NC. Funny, way out there people seem to be fine... Only the wanna be rednecks...

Had one about to give me $#1+, but then he noticed I was 2 of him...
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Old 07-16-14, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by FLvector
Compared to laughable things you see walking through Walmart and other stores, I never give it a thought walking into a public place in full kit. I will say, I do avoid having the gals see me at work in spandex since I know they won't be able to control themselves afterward.
FINALLY somebody made a big dick joke. I thought I was going to have to do it.
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Old 07-16-14, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by zandoval
At 60 yrs, 240#, and 5'11" you should thank God I cover my spandex...
This - I wear some light shorts over my cycling gear... plus I would hate to crash and have to finish the ride with my entire ass hanging out.
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Old 07-16-14, 07:50 PM
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no, why ever would i.
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Old 07-16-14, 07:54 PM
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Of course I wear regular gym short over my bike shorts. I''m an overweight 50-year-old man and bike shorts alone make me just too sexy.
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Old 07-16-14, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by pgjackson
Just wondering if anyone wears regular shorts over their cycling shorts? Kind of getting tired of parading around in spandex. Not trying to stir the pot or anything, just wondering about options. Thanks.
You don't need our approval. Wear what you want.
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Old 07-16-14, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by pgjackson
Yes you do. Everyone looks like a dork in full kit.
When I was a kid, only a small cadre of club riders wore bike shorts. I'd have been embarrassed to be seen in them. Frankly, I've always felt uncomfortable in shorts period. When I returned to the saddle 3 years ago after not being on a bike for decades, I was leery of bike shorts. But once I started wearing them, all my vane concerns disappeared and I don't feel the slightest bit self conscious. Maybe I look like a dork, but I don't feel like one and that's all that matters.

(There was also an unexpected side benefit. For the last 5 years or so, I've had terrible problems with leg cramps when walking the golf course in the 95 degree temps that are the norm here in the summer. I've played golf all my life and have never worn shorts on the course. Having overcome my fear with bike shorts, I finally tried wearing shorts on the golf course and it's done wonders in alleviating the leg cramps. I never would have guessed it, but apparently it keeps the legs a few degrees cooler and that makes all the difference.)

Wear whatever you wish, but if I can wear a full kit without feeling like a dork anyone can. And once you've reached a certain age, it should really only matter how you feel about it. Who cares what anyone else thinks.
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Old 07-16-14, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Bathwater
Never. I want everyone to know the angle of my dangle.
lol. i'm so stealing that.
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Old 07-16-14, 08:54 PM
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People that are offended by bike shorts and the like need to be offended as often as possible.

I wear PI shorts and jerseys. First getting into cycling I was self conscious and would wear basic gym shorts and a dry fit shirt. Aside from the padding that bike shorts offer, the form fitting nature of cycling apparel feels so much better when riding. Skin tight (as long as it's not too tight) feels closer to wearing nothing than loose clothing. Regular clothing flaps around way too much and standard short pockets are a nuisance if used when cycling (jersey pockets and a saddle bag are much better).

If just diddling around I wouldn't bother with bike shorts and just wear street clothes. If commuting I'd still go full bike clothes with a change of clothes along for the ride (if a short commute I'd just do work clothes, no bike shorts). The only time I'd really consider bike shorts with cargo or other shorts over top would be if I wanted to run longer errands or stop and go in places, but I don't do that really.
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Old 07-16-14, 09:31 PM
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If the people on mobility scooters aren't worried about skin-tight clothing, I don't think I should be.
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Old 07-16-14, 10:15 PM
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Nope. Get in the way. Only time I wear ordinary shorts is on my commuter home because I can't be bothered changing into sweaty cycle gear.
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Old 07-16-14, 10:30 PM
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I wear regular shorts over Bike shorts most of the time. Today went : ride, breakfast, ride, coffee, ride, concert in the park, ride, grocery store, red box, ride home.

Having regular shorts on over bike shorts is the most comfortable and convenient way.

Cargo shorts fit dvds better than jerseys do.
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Old 07-16-14, 10:42 PM
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Oh, and lace-up SPDs, of course.
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Old 07-16-14, 11:15 PM
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I wear modal boxer briefs under polyester cargo shorts which is most comfortable for me. I tried Pearl Izumi liner shorts but didnt feel that big of a difference on my 20 mile, over 20 then I would def do the cycling shorts.
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Old 07-16-14, 11:38 PM
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My favorite bike shorts for all day wear are Tyr tri shorts with no chamois.
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