In answer to a few of the questions/comments:
- Yes, I plan to wear my regular cycling shorts underneath.
- The pair I'm considering has tapered legs so I think they will stay out of the chain just fine, if not I've got the leg bands that I use when commuting in jeans.
- These should be fitted but loose enough that I could throw another insulated base layer under them if needed for winter rides. I have some of the Starter brand tights, but only use them under long pants as a base layer.
- I don't mind Fredly as long as it's practical. I do a lot of riding in t-shirts and trekking shorts, so running pants are probably a step up toward semi-Fredliness.
Not sure what runner pants are but
When I first started I wore some baggier starter windbreaker pants over true cycling shorts. They work great at keeping your legs warm as they keep all of the wind out, and simple duct tape around the ankles (both) keeps thing in order. I did my first century* in them, it was sub 50 and rainy. *The Minnesota Iron man ride, held the last sunday in april. Looks like it will be the same weather for that this year.
Runners pants are just that, pants designed for runners. Kind of half way between sweat pants and tights, usually with tapered legs and zippers at the ankles. The ones I'm looking at are windproof, water resistant and thermal but they make quite a few variations for different conditions.
I rode the Headwaters 100 in Park Rapids/Itasca State Park under similar conditions last September. 40F, cloudy, windy and heavy drizzle for the first two hours. Cold as heck with knee warmers and wool socks (talk about Fred). Luckily the sun came out and by mid-ride it was in the 50s with a stiff breeze. I considered the MN Ironman for this spring, but it doesn't look good with my work schedule and the fact that it is on the other side of the state. I do like that they moved it to St. Croix, beautiful area.
It is those kinds of conditions that I'm hoping to use these pants for. Something I can pull on over whatever else I'm wearing and then take off and throw in a stuff sack when the day warms up. Something Fredly enough that I can wear them with my red long-sleeve jersey and walk into a convenience store without someone yelling "Hey, Mr. Incredible".