Don't know about the bug spray. We don't use mosquito repellent in Florida. Baseball bats work much better. :D

LOL how true....

I look pretty darn good in bike shorts and secondly my booty couldn't handle not wearing them :o

+1

Although I am very new to biking I have found that the better (higher quality) shorts give you better cushion that the cheapy ones that you see on sale...

If you are buying shorts for the cushion, you're doing it wrong. The chamois is for moisture management and to prevent chaffing...not to pad your tushie. ;)

+1

I agree that you can wear anything comfy for athletic activity for 20 miles or less. After that, I've tried mountain bike shorts but they just seem heavy and they don't stay up in the back without me yanking on them. They're less comfortable than spandex bike shorts. Sometimes I do wear those under a light pair of gym shorts, but I also have a basket that snaps onto the rear rack on my touring bike and I can throw them in there or stuff them in my saddle bag. That way, I can have the comfort of spandex when I'm riding and slip into the gym shorts so I'm "decent" if I decide to park the bike and walk around, or stop for lunch.

It's the vanity vs. comfort conundrum. My legs aren't sinewy, but they are old, and my 11 year-old daughter is easily mortified, so the perfect solution is elusive.

Naw, if your doing some shopping or other stuff, just keep your helmet on, people will realise your a cyclist, and your outfit will be forgiven, although people will probably whisper *&^%$#! tree hugger behind your back..... Although if shopping, I usually do wear over shorts, simply because I like having my wallet and keys in the appropriate place, and I am too cheap to spend $75 on a bike jersey, when a $20 runners jersey does just as good a job.

Buying the shorts, and Race cut jersey is giving me the motivation to loose the few more pounds I need to get rid of my "Space saver spare tire" lol.

When I LOOK GOOD in my race cut jersey, I'll be really happy. (I also don't look terrible in it, but there is a roll above the tight shorts I want to loose)

But the above posters are right, there are alternatives, the "Baggy bike shorts" and "T" shirts that are made out of under armor type material.

I am also new to the cycling thing. Just did my first Half Century yesterday! On my 5th ride as an "Avid Cyclist"

As I see it, bike shorts are necessary in order to feel comfortable while I ride. So I don't care what people think. On the other hand, in my opinion multicolored team jerseys on 50+ year olds just look stupid. Instead, I wear high vis loose fitting tee shirts like highway maintenance crews wear. They are comfortable, inexpensive, made from wicking fabric, and very visible. Mine are long for me, so they cover up about 2/3 of my shorts when I am not riding.

^^^^^^^^^ Yeah, I mean if you like the team jersey, go ahead but I don't see them as practical and most of them do look kind of stupid. But, if you want, then go ahead. I am putting on my favorite pair of tight, non padded, short, short, bike shorts that are, OMG, not black and a white Nike tank top and away I go, see y'all in a bit.

LC

I guess because I don't ride all that far, 15-25 miles is typical for me, that I just wear what I'm wearing. I've got some bike shorts but they feel funny so I don't wear them. I can see getting something other than my cotton tees and short sleeve shirts but I've never gotten around to it.

When we were kids we never got kitted out to ride and I see little reason to change now.

Yeah, I agree. We would have looked pretty stupid riding around in kits on our old Western Flyers and Sears bikes. I think, however, that you will change your mind about the bike shorts after you start doing more riding than what you are currently doing.

This is not a picture I think of when I think of 50+ and practical. :eek:

Well, that's the thing, I have little interest in long distance cycling so my 15-25 mile rides, occasionally longer, are what I do. FWIW, I had a Schwinn Racer. ;) If I ever become an old man roadie perhaps I'll change my mind but it's not likely in the cards.

BTW, speaking of riding apparel.... note the guy in the foreground on the left in this photo:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4793454_n.jpg

Dude is wearing athletic underwear as bike shorts. I don't know if I should applaud or be appalled. :-)

^^ Well, it's obvious the kid is thinking "hmm...if I had a decent pair of shorts, a jersey, cleated shoes and a helmet, I could get this thing out on the road. Oh, and gloves, too."

;)

For longer rides (40 miles +), lycra shorts provide the most comfort if you are riding a road bike. I never felt baggy shorts, even though they have a liner with an insert, felt as good. Last year I started wearing bib shorts, and I prefer them to regular lycra shorts.

My wife thinks I'm "cute" the waitresses where we have breakfast think I'm a good tipper and my grandchildren think I'm "awesome" Don't know that I care what anyone else thinks:lol:

Great attitude, Larwyn! way to go!

Just don't wear the kilt riding... :eek:

My wife razzes me every time I leave the house in my riding shorts and jersey. she took pics this am and posted them to facebook. Next time I am shoving a bunch of socks down below for her pics. Give her girls something to think about. HA

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.

Make sure you put on clean underwear everyday , in case you have an accident!

:)