My wife wont let me wear my bibs to yoga. Cycling clothes are so comfortable.

No, not really. I know what who I am and what I am.

I know, for instance, that I am not a teenager. I wear my age proudly.

There are many, many things I take very seriously. "Myself" isn't particularly one of them.

Bicycling is a joy to me -- a new found joy. But it is a recreational activity to me, not a religion. I also ride motorcycles, drive a classic sport car, write, write and play music, work with a camera, paint, cook. And, and, and. I'm not saving the world, just living in it. Well.

-don

You might not like this answer and it may not specifically apply in all cases but in many cases, plain and simple, it is pure Amurikan male homophobia. Me, I wear the attire that is proven efficient and is made for the sport I am participating in.

Swimming, I wear a swim brief by Speedo, TYR etc.
Cycling, I wear bike shorts or tights
Running, I wear short running shorts and a tank top or tights in winter

Now in contrast, if I were;

Going to the beach, I would wear "dork" beach pajamas (well, maybe not)
Cycle commuting, I would wear probably street cloths
Walking around the neighborhood, again, street cloths, jeans etc.

Actually, for cycling, I hate that shiny Lycra crap, I like the Lycra and cotton blends and much prefer shorts that do NOT have a pad in them. If I am going further than 25 miles, OK, give the dang padded shorts, otherwise, I prefer cycling shorts with no pad. The cotton blends are not shiny and feel better and fit me better, just very hard to find. I had two pairs of Scott Tinley Lycra/cotton blend bike shorts and dam---d if that it was not my favorite pair I was wearing when my leg got broke and the darn EMTs cut them off. I raised a fuss to high Heaven you can bet despite my intense pain and state of physical shock.

My wife is a nurse at the hospital they took me to, the EMTs and the whole bunch told her that "I was not a good patient" as apparently tearing the neck stabilizer off over my head because it was choking me and made me throw up and then raising HeXX over them cutting my shorts off was NOT what "good" patients do! Those shorts were irreplaceable :(.

LC

So we don't take ourselves or our riding apparel to seriously, here is a very funny take on cycling clothes -

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/

This guy is flat-out hysterical! His blog always makes me laugh. I hope you enjoy it...:D

Bicyclists taking their riding apparel SERIOUSLY? You must be joking. And thanks for lightening things up a bit. I enjoyed the blog.

You see a problem, I see opportunity.

"Becoming an embarrassment to your kids" is another benefit to wearing lycra shorts. Actually you can also get some t-shirts printed fairly cheaply that say "I'm _____'s Dad." You should wear one anytime that her room doesn't pass inspection.

We live in a biking mecca (3500pop and 3 bike shops) so there is plenty of lycra/spandex to dress the entire state of Cali for a group ride. My wife saw these guys (kindly....they were probably 70 something) in tight spandex unloading their SUV for a ride. She had a look that said, "dont you dare dress like that". I laughed and assured her that wont be happening.

Do you really care what the psyclesnobs think of your riding gear. I am 62, bald with a white beard. I wear a CHROME bmx helmet with jeans and a t-shirt.
I rode a Peugeot POS-1 in the 70's (jeans and t-shirts) until I tossed it in a river.
I road again in the early 80's (jeans and t-shirts) because I was unemployed and I went back to college.
I am riding again because I am retired and I enjoy my morning rides.
Oh yeah, still jeans and t-shirts.
Last week I took my urbanized (carriers, slicks, lights, etc.) 97 Mongoose mtb out, for a morning ride. I was overtaken silently and to my surprise by two cylclists that looked like giant yellow jackets -shiny black, white and yellow spandex to match there black ,white and yellow road bikes. No, on your left, hello, get the @%&* out of the way, just swoosh.
About 30 min. later I came upon them, older man and woman, well off the shoulder, staring at his bike. "Can I help?" , cold stoney silence and stare. I can see his pedal has come off his drive side. "I have some tools in my bag or I can call someone if you like". More silence and icy stares from both of them. I looked at the logo's on the bikes, smiled and wished them good luck and finished my ride.
So, whats the point of this?
They blew there money to look like effete TDF cycle snobs on there matching Kent Denali's available at XXX-Mart for $299.00, instead of putting there money where it counts.
So do you want look like a model or do you want to ride.

You might want to try triathlon shorts, they are made for biking, then swimming and then running, so they don't have as thick a pad in them.

Lots of good advice here. For me the comfort of the lycra outweighs the looks. If others can't deal with that, too bad for them. They can always look away.

But I will make one recommendation: for spandex shorts, stick with black. Seriously. Don't get any color but black.

As for the teens in your life giving you a hard time just do what I do. If I come home from a long ride and they complain about my riding apparel I just threaten them with a hug.... :thumb:

That is their problem not mine.

I'm 65.

Do this.

Ride 40 miles in whatever.

rest however much you need.

Ride 40 miles in some nice lycra biking shorts.

You'll never go back.

Who gives a rip what somebody else thinks? You are the one paying for it, you be happy.

ETA

Oh yeah - I wore my running shorts, still wear my running jerseys that are plain - simple.

Then, I hung the running shorts on the saddle - couldn't get unhung, did a small "standover" bike lay down.

The tight shorts feel funny at first. Men don't wear stuff that tight, usually.

After 25 miles, that tight feels really good _grin_

Plus, the better tighter shorts have better padding - which you are going to need if you start working out.

I don't care about cosmetics. I care about how it works. These shorts work really well for me

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...LAID=859290958

Not where I bought them, but where I could find a link

That was my quote in the beginning, posted, as mentioned earlier semi tongue-in-cheek. (Hell, I'm an only-semi-ex rock and roll playin' hippie.) But your refrain, which paralleled quite a few others, has gotten me thinking. That POV is as common as dirt in our society. It is bed rock. "Do your own thing", "let 'em look elsewhere" etc. But up until the late `60s even here in The States such words would rarely if ever be uttered. Just wondering... Has any people ever succeeded in producing an enduring, cohesive, functioning society thinking like we do? Not that a 60 year old spandex-clad cyclist is going to end the world (people can, after all, just "look away"), ;) but still, as an attitude?

Quick! I need another cup of coffee!

-don

Thanks, have some. My point was that I wear the clothing specific to the activity. In fact I am headed to the pool now, I got my TYR in the bag. I see the Lycra crowd often and it seems when they get off the bike then out comes the dork shorts for the pool, what goes for one sport should go for them all.

Yes, the tri shorts are nice for the sprint type tris and short work outs. I prefer to use specific apparel/gear for the longer ones. Since I cn no longer run thanks to a broken femum last summer, I probably am finished with the tri world.

LC

truth +1

VERY TRUE! And a Tombay can even result from it. If people don't want to see my fine, firm quads they should just look away! :D
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/47...500x500Q85.jpg

tuck your base layer in ...good grief.:innocent:

Oh, is that what its called? ;)

-don

The only cycling-specific clothing I wear is MTB shorts with a chamois pad; definately more comfy and I love the pockets on 'em.

I'd much prefer a motor vehicle driver saw me in my garish HiVis jersey and think I looked fat/stupid -vs- "Sorry Officer, I didn't see her" after running into me.

When I'm driving I am not taking the time to do a thorough inspection of the cyclist. I just want to spot cyclists with plenty of warning time to change lanes safely, pass, and be on my merry way.

Everything cycle-specific I wear on my bike is because it is more functional and comfortable than "normal" street clothes. Some things you can substitute general athletic wear - baselayer shirts/tops and running tights - but I'm sold on the bike jerseys, shorts, shoes, gloves, jackets, vests. I love having those pockets at the back of the jersey/jacket. They are great for my work badge, the season ticket pass for some park roads, the battery for my helmet light, my iPhone; and to put my wallet/keys into during any mid-ride stops. I do buy the jerseys that have a "club cut" looser fit.

The bike shorts are critical for me. Even with my slow cadence, I need some compression on the legs to prevent (painful) flappage and chafing.

Loose shorts over the bike shorts interfere with moisture control/wicking and trap heat. I also appreciate not having the shorts bunch up or get caught on the saddle.

OK, I think I found a "jersey" I like and will feel comfortable in -

http://cgi.ebay.com/CINELLI-RED-CYCL...item519a434dce

Well, I know it's not really a jersey, but it has the pockets I need, it's low-key and understated and it's heavy cotton, so it looks good to me.... Oh, and my daughters won't cringe when they see me!:lol:

Now, gotta find some shorts....:)

That cotton may be OK in the spring and fall but it will kill you in the summer, especially in red. I have three jerseys and one is my team jersey. Mostly I ride in stay-dry tanktops and t-shirts from Target. Big selection and excellent price. Most of mine are bright colors so I am very visible to others. I wear a fanny pack to carry stuff in when I don't wear my jerseys. Cycling shorts ... always.

Yes to the fanny pack - on my left hip though, not fanny. ;-)

Wallet, cell phone and car keys. That, a jug of liquid in its holder, and that's it for me. (But my rides are are so-far 12 miles tops)

-don

Tell us how that works out.

Why? I think we know.

:)