I was talking to a friend the other week and our conversation led to me revealing the fact that sometimes when it is hot I will purposefully unzip my pants or shorts in order to get some airflow for ventilation. She doesn't ride so she responded in a weirded out but accepting sort of manner.

Am I the only one that does this? By the way, I live in South Texas. Im sure region has a lot to do with it as well.

This should have been posted in the recent "Sweaty Butt" thread!

Way to let your freak flag fly. (Just hope they don't lynch you for it.)

I try it everyone now and then, but it still hasn't worked (neither for ventilation nor for impressing the ladies.)

Can't say that has ever crossed my mind. If it works, keep doing it, just make sure you're properly contained...

Unbutton or unzip my shirt, maybe... pants... no... too easy to be accused of being something I am not. (just imagine what you might tack on to the phrase "old man.")

I find that a cool breeze blowing through my shirt is usually enough. If I am too warm in the saddle, I stand up.

No. Uh uh. Nope. No.

In the early 80s in my hometown (don't know how widespread it was), there was a fad among black dudes to leave their fly unzipped while their pants remained buttoned. I guess this was a precursor to "pants on the ground". Is what you're doing or are you unzipped and unbuttoned. Of course, this discussion is only civil because we're assuming you're not going commando.

Ummm well to honestly answer your question, my answer is: nope, no need to. I just wear a skirt instead.

Where's the "like" button on here when you need it?

Why do you assume she was weirded out because she wasn't a cyclist. I commute in Central California in 100 plus degrees every summer. I have never once thought of unbuttoning my pants. Sorry!

While cycling or just any old time?
Where is the line between ventilation and indecent exposure?

Ahh, memories.

Wife and I riding "Pike to Bike" an abandoned section of the PA Turnpike that has several tunnels, one of which is several thousand feet long. In June it's not unusual for there to be ice in the middle. It's virtually deserted during the week

We're at one end taking a break and some middle aged guy comes into view coming out of the tunnel where we are, and he didn't have a stitch of clothing on. And he clearly didn't care that we were there. Wife and I to this day remind each other of it....

Just make sure nobody is watching when you unzip.. might have the boys in blue following you.

Terry's is having a sale on bike skorts. I have a bunch and they are incredibly comfy as well as help with that great breeze up the skirt effect.

I wear bike shorts but I've never felt overheated enough to want more ventilation down there. Unzipping my jersey part way usually cools me off enough.

Her tone. It conveyed "Thats weird but I guess it makes sense."

I have only purposefully unzipped a handful of times. Most of the other times I simply forget to zip up. The reason I forget is because I was a personal trainer for quite a while and wore windbreaker pants daily. After that stint zipping up was no longer a habit so I tend to forget.

I should point out that I dont outright open the fly and expose. It is also just the fly. I guess it is mainly just me. Oh well.

You need Wrangler Open Fly Jeans, as seen on SNL.

My only advice is to be very careful when biking around bees,wasp, hornets and children otherwise....


To be serious though, just get yourself some bike shorts.

Not me, never even considered it. I agree with your friend, sounds pretty weird and any real cooling effect would be, at best, minimal.

haven't unzipped my pants while talking to a girl in quite some time, oh wait what was the question?

I think this is why people were bicycle specific clothing, I know it is why I do

Yeah, that's what I do too.

When overheated I pour water over my back and unzip the shirt/jersey. Never felt the need to unzip. If you are wearing undies I don't think it would do much anyway. Now, a little medicated talcum powder is wonderful in our NC heat. Whatever generic brand that contains zinc oxide 1%.

It would be good if you could get mesh shorts with mesh on the sides all except for a small area of solid fabric near the crotch and crack part. Would be great for sweaty butt.

My shorts do not have zippers, buttons, or openings of any kind. ( Other that the ones I use to get them on. )

Clear sign that she wants you. Unzip away.