when did you buy cycling shorts?
#1
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when did you buy cycling shorts?
I think that my time has finally come. shorts and maybe a jersey to see what benefits this may have to my sweat level and hind end. any thoughts? I am kind of feeling silly about wearing them.
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First time I did an organized ride. Was an MS ride, 60 on Sat,60 on Sunday. I knew I'd need them. Haven't been sorry since. Haven't mounted a bike without them since.
Well worth the sissy look!
Well worth the sissy look!

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I didn't think I needed any, since I ride a 'bent. But the first time I came back from a 75 mile ride, my wife asked me if I had had an "accident." My short were soaked through and through from sweat. Then I read about bees flying up your loose shorts, and that convinced me.
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You could go stealth spandex and get some Fox moutain shorts. No one knows you have a chamois jammed up your butt. Big bonus is they got them some pockets too. Fashionable for road riding IMHO.

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I bought my first lycra short last year, was very satisfied and found all around comfort I basically wear it on
every ride. I have 2 pairs and I know I need 2 more but more likely a tight will be in the shopping list at season end.
every ride. I have 2 pairs and I know I need 2 more but more likely a tight will be in the shopping list at season end.
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Get bib tights with no liner and wear them over your cycling shorts.
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it got really hot in Toronto at one point and the shorts I had were just not cutting it. So I got cycling shorts.
cycling jersey doesn't help as much IMO. you can just as easily wear a tight and thin material under shirt. The best part are the pockets on the jersey, it gives you are very nice storage compartment.
cycling jersey doesn't help as much IMO. you can just as easily wear a tight and thin material under shirt. The best part are the pockets on the jersey, it gives you are very nice storage compartment.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#9
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Sissy look. Women get all googly when the calves start bulging. in my good years caught some waitress' staring at my behind. It's ok, men do the same. Don't go cheap. Get a cheap chamois, and you will wonder why endurance cyclists thinks its' the best invention since STI shifters. Feel weird when you get off the bike; pull some nylon gym shorts out of your jersey pocket and all is well.
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I started wearing them when I started riding every day and my butt hurt a lot. I wear them underneath regular short pants (capris, clam diggers, whatever). Sometimes I wear padded underwear on shorter rides. I just can't bring myself to go about in spandex.. Especially when I walk into work - I want to keep my job!

#13
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After one year of riding. Had no idea I was in so much discomfort before i suddenly wasn't anymore.
#14
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About the time I went over 10 miles at a time. Funny, I never felt silly wearing a swim suit to the pool or a suit to a wedding. Why the hell would I feel silly wearing cycling shorts while riding a bike? Seems to me that you should feel silly NOT wearing them.
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"It hurts so good..."
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"It hurts so good..."
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I was hesitant about them too, but you can just wear them under other shorts, which is what I do when I'm riding around the neighborhood or in town or expect to be off the bike a lot. They didn't make a huge difference in terms of comfort for me, becuase I wasn't really hurting up to 100 km without them. However, I'm not sure if I'd want to do a century sans padding.
A jersey, however, was a million times better than the cotton t-shirts that I had been wearing (for "wearing", read "draping in a soggy mass around my neck"). You don't have to get the superhero style skin-hugging type; mine is fairly loose but close fitting enough that it doesn't flap in the wind.
A jersey, however, was a million times better than the cotton t-shirts that I had been wearing (for "wearing", read "draping in a soggy mass around my neck"). You don't have to get the superhero style skin-hugging type; mine is fairly loose but close fitting enough that it doesn't flap in the wind.
#16
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I put a pair of gym shorts in my handlebar bag. Bike shorts have the purpose of being able to withstand the tugs and tears of interfacing with the saddle. After a dozen rides or so , I found most of my shorts becoming thread bare and riping apart at the seams. While on the bike I could give a crap what others think i look like. While in a store , on break from the bike- I might care. That is the time I put on a pair of shorts over bike shorts. And I find mid lenght shorts get caught up on the horn when peddling. I don't like that.
#17
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At least 30 years ago. Switched to baggy mountain bike-style probably 15-20 years ago. Dropped those (figuratively speaking) last year when I got 'bent. Seldom wear biking-specific shorts now - only when riding tandem with my stoker/wife.
#18
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Thinking back, I got some nice Mary K shorts made for me in 1972? I had a new "10 speed" and noticed that the hot riders had shorts, so I asked, got directed to Mary K, and enjoyed the shorts. Wool and real chamois, of course, with a leather saddle. Shredded those pretty fast! Now I really would rather not go 2 miles without at least the bogus mountain bike shorts. I always buy nice ones.
As far as covering up in public - why? I catch the 20 somethings looking at my legs and butt. That's great! I'm 53 and reasonably buff. If someone has a problem, they've got a problem, not me!
As far as covering up in public - why? I catch the 20 somethings looking at my legs and butt. That's great! I'm 53 and reasonably buff. If someone has a problem, they've got a problem, not me!
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Do yourself a favor and do not get the cheapest ones you can find for your first shorts. The trick is to not get off of your bike. They actually look ok as long as you are physically in contact with a bike. Once the connection is broken (say by deciding to go grocery shopping) you look like a crazy person. It is the equivalent of casually wearing a ski mask to do some banking.
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When did I realize that I needed bicycle shorts?
About 7 years ago when I started riding more than just 5-10 miles at a time.
When did I realize that I no longer needed bicycle shorts?
About 2 years ago when I bought my first Brooks.
Now I just wear those cheap, wicking, polyester sport shorts.
About 7 years ago when I started riding more than just 5-10 miles at a time.
When did I realize that I no longer needed bicycle shorts?
About 2 years ago when I bought my first Brooks.
Now I just wear those cheap, wicking, polyester sport shorts.
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I went running to the bike shop and bought bike shorts after my most prized body parts went totally numb and it took about three days to recover to the point where I could actually have sex.
Need any more convincing ?
Need any more convincing ?
#22
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I can tell you I waited way way too long....
#23
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Back when shorts were black and woolen and men were men.

#24
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Around 1992 when I got back into cycling for the first time since the 70's. Never felt self conscious about it. Ride enough and hit the gym and you'll build a body that looks good in spandex.