Originally Posted by
CliffordK
3 miles? And you need special shorts?
I've done about that today in Wrangler Cowboy Cut, since I didn't feel like changing at church. Normally, I don't wear actual bike shorts, just compression boxers and cargo shorts. The difference is still pretty significant, and I definitely notice the restriction of movement and resulting quicker fatigue in jeans. Summer weight wool slacks are much better, but still not as good as the shorts.
When it hits long-pants-mandatory temperatures, I usually go with very lightweight running pants over the cargo shorts. I have water resistant ultra thin ones and lightly insulated heavier ones, and have ridden down to 17F with both layered, with no problems. The loose fit and slick fabric works fine for riding.