Originally Posted by NOS88
Recently I've been thinking about similar things. I always ride in full gear, however, I've been feeling guilty about driving the car on errands that I could use one of the bikes for. My biggest reservation is the clothing thing. I just don't want to ride without the cycling specific clothes, and I think it's overkill to get dressed in full gear for a short trip. I know it's a psychological thing, but one I'm not sure how to get past.
I rode 27 miles today on my "utility" road bike fixed with a rack and pannier and toe clips and a very typical "hard" road bike saddle.
I wore
Big Dog shorts - right out of the catalog
Undies (yes I did)
A t shirt
Tennis shoes with white socks
helmet, doo-rag and gloves
I rode to church, and on the way did an extra trail for 6 miles, plus the 5 to church for 11 miles.
I practiced with my singing group
Then I decided to ride along a real road up a pretty good hill and returned, having lunch along the way, and got in a total of 27 miles.
My body is whole, I have no chafing, I was perfectly comfortable. I survived JUST FINE!
I do this all of the time. I rarely get all spandexed and lycra'd up. Tomorrow, I will once again ride to church at 6:00 am wearing a similar outfit with a light jacket. And I will go for another 20-30 mile ride afterwards,
All in NON-cyling-specific gear.
I do think we make too much out of our supposed need for spandex and cushioned/padded shorts.]
Last edited by DnvrFox; 06-07-06 at 05:01 AM.