cyclezealot

Just caused me to think about that question. Don't they say stretch material is for heavy people.. Not sure I am comfortable or miserable. On the bike I just do not notice it..Know I am more comfortable than if I were wearing tight jean while riding...In fact probably more comfortable than wearing tight jeans anytime...
To me it is just needed equiptment to make the challenges of riding more acceptable...But about have I ever felt miserable..Maybe when it is sticky, sweaty; I want to get out of the stuff...OFten I find myself finishing chores for maybe on hour in cycling gear should I want to finish chores that are gonna make me sweat.
But, I think the ultimate test...On a tour on a couple ocassions, I found all my walkabout clothes wet and not ready for wear. I had nothing else, unless I was gonna sleep in my sleeping bag nekkid. I just wore my next days ' cycling clothes, and hung my street clothes out to dry after a little rinse to get the mold out.... I slept ok. Would have preffered my usual running shorts. But they were unfit to sleep in. Did not seem to chaffe anything. You just get used to it.

JBehrmann

No! maybe that's the problem, people are suggesting that the big folks wear tight clothes

Barren

I'm with this guy. Sleeping nude is the only way to go! When camping or at home..

As for wearing biking clothes when you are bigger.. BIG DEAL! I'm 6'1" 245 (and dropping) and I don't give a crap what anyone thinks of me in my biking attire. I sometimes ride to work with my work clothes rolled up on the back of my camelbak. Shower at work, etc.. so I have to walk through the office at least twice with my gear on and yes I've heard people whisper, giggle, etc. Forget them though! What are they doing for exercise? For the environment? For their own self esteem? I suppose if it makes them feel better about themselves.. whoopity do.. it doesn't bother me cause I know that I'm going the right way as far as weight is concerned!

And wearing the proper gear allows you to ride longer and more often without incidents and injury.

I've even have friends of mine call me a "spandy"... but I don't let it bother me at all. Be proud that you are working towards a better you!

cyclezealot

Barren...I did not mean to make any inference on heavier cyclists wearing Lycra..I am not as thin a cyclists as I would like to be either...But, my riding is making a dent on my weight this summer.
The point, stretchy materials are not tight..The outside world may think lycra is tight, but it actually is very flexible..That maybe why there is the societal impression heavier people wear spandex...It gives.
I think the cyclist need find a comfortable chamois, or it can be uncomfortable...I find the Descente bibs are so comfortable, hardly noticeable from regular underwear.
And as to me, If I could get a full nights sleep in the stuff a couple of times, could not have been that uncomfortable.
Hurrah for those of us who do not give a dam what outsiders think or say.
And yes, as to camping nekkid..I recall camping up in Oregon...Bears were everywhere at night...What about jumping out of your sleeping bag and tent nekkid harassing the bears or racoons. When harassing animals with claws, I like my stuff covered.

khuon

Miserable? I find the alternatives to be miserable. I'm quite comfortable in my cycling clothes and to reiterate a famous quote...

bkrownd

Makes the sheets stinky faster.

Juha

I agree, one should always sleep nude. Your sheets may get stinky faster but at least your pyjamas stay clean . (maybe we need a Pyjama Nazi around here?).

cyclezealot, you harass bears? Wow, I am impressed. Our bears are wild animals and would bite my head off if I by some miracle managed to harass them. Nekkid or not.

--J

JBehrmann

I was talking about the people that couldn't get their fat asses on a bike if their lives depended on it. I have no problems with anyone riding in lycra gear.

Barren

I didn't get offended or anything.. it's all good.

I was just trying to defend the bigger people who are working towards better health and fitness.

I dropped 30 lbs. this year from a combination of weight lifting, swimming, hockey, and cycling.. and a little more thought into what I eat and drink.. but didn't give up the desserts!

my58vw

I am 6-6 230 and I have no problem in bike attire. If someone wants to make a big deal let them I do not care.

Seanholio

I figure if you don't notice it is there, that is the the ultimate in comfort.

Maelstrom 

I just refuse to wear spandex. Baggy clothes for biking all the way for me.

cyclezealot

Juha..Harass bears...Ah, we just have small brown bears about Oregon, I think..Harass bears in that, I devert them away from the beer cooler by them chasing me...Should they be chasing me, I would prefer to have my jamies on..Can not imagine climbing a tree nekkid.
And, not my sheets I am worried about getting stinky, but my spiffy Sleeping bag..In part,no, is not the role of underwear to lessen unexpected fluids from being absored onto your clothes... I am even fussier about my sleeping bag.

Juha

I, too, am fussy about my sleeping bag. I use liners - very comfy and will keep the bag clean and fresh.

So you only harass small bears . Bears chasing you... awww... What we are told to do if a bear chases you is NOT to run away or climb a tree (the bear will easily outrun & outclimb you) but basically to lie down on your belly and play dead. If you're carrying a backpack, keep it on, it may well save your life.

But bears here are likely to attack only if you bump into a family without them noticing you first. And that can be difficult as they have very acute sense of smell and hearing. There was a case several years ago where a jogger accidentally run between a mother bear and her cubs in a forest path. The guy died.

--J

Chris L

I've done that a few times. In fact, on occasions I've actually slept in the cycling clothes that I wore that day simply because I just couldn't be bothered changing. Often these have been places there were no showers, and I really just couldn't be bothered when it was time for bed.

khuon

You should point out to your coworker that Everyone's Free to Wear Lycra.

cyclezealot

Khuon...I see in Macy's yesterday, that Calvin Klein in making underwear, T shirts in wicking lycra..They are rediciliously expensive...32 bucks for a t shirt..I was sort of interested..Not at $32. So the general public can wear lycra with its wicking properties.
But, the thing..To non cyclists, cycling gear probably looks uncomfortable..But, what do they know
ps. The thing about touring in a tent..My wife says you give up cycling when you reach 40..Not easy on the back..That is why I guess, I have to go on bike tours w/o the wife. But, I am fussy about my sleeping bag...If I had to get in my nifty sleeping bag , all sweaty, I would probably sleep on a picnic table. Gues, baby wipes can get you presentable for the sleeping bag.