I'd say fewer than 20% of my daily rides end up less 40 miles round trip. I don't give a flip what people think I look like while on a bike. Besides, no one notices here , anyway./ Lycra. When it comes to effective chamies or the wicking properties of lycra; nothing compares. But, wear what ever you want. Give lycra a try and you'll never go back, unless you like a sore arse and like clammy , wet cotton./ Another reason I wear cycling clothes. I notice when ever I wear street clothes. Quite quickly I find my favorite shorts, windpants soon developing rips and tears at their seams. That gets expensive. Lycra is designed to take the friction, my favorite nylon windpants are not.