I apologize if this is a silly or odd or offensive way to make my first post here.

I'm about to start training for long distance, multi day charity ride in October. I've done two NY-Boston rides, but that was eight and ten years ago. I bought the bike (Giant OCR C2), pedals, clothes, etc. Now it's time to get in the saddle (I bought one of them too!).

I'm 49, male, if that matters.

Years back I rode with cool max underwear without incident. It seems lots of road riders "go commando". Are there benefits one way or the other? Precautions? Creams? Jocks?

This sounds like a goof question, but it's not. Hopefully I won't get flamed too harshly for my fist foray here.

You shouldn't wear underwear if you have padded shorts; it just wouldn't be very comfortable. You can always use chamois cream if riding without any cream causes problems. I never use the cream and I have been fine.

i would not consider wearing lycra padded shorts as going commando. i would think commando would be waering loose shorts, like mtb shorts, with no undies or tights.

if you rode with cool max undies before and liked em, why don't you go back with those?

but yeah, bad idea with the undies and bike shorts. just bike/padded shorts, IMHO. :-)

This question comes up regularly. Bike shorts are designed to worn without underwear and 95% of posters will chime in saying they don't wear it. Then there's a hardcore of underwear wearers who'll swear by it.

Just shorts, no underwear. Get a nice set of bibs (or three) and you'll be fine...

"Going commando" with a cutout saddle can be problematic...

I always wear a pair of short jean cut-offs under my bike shorts. And under everything else!

In the old days, before I knew better, I used to ride with undies under my padded shorts. Oh how free I felt the day I went commando.

Long story short: Just wear the shorts. No tighty whities.

say, thats my story

Only when you want to get off.


Anyway, get yourself a nice pair or three of bibshorts and forget the underwear. There are lots of creams and balms available if you have any chafing or other nasties down there. I prefer Bag Balm, others like Assos (yes, that's really what it's called), others are loyal subjects of the Queen.

Now that's a mental image I did not want in my head....

Tobias, is that you?

Or are you simply another Never Nude sufferer?

Thanks, we'll be poking our mind's eye out for the rest of the day now!

lol I just wanted to see if someone would get the reference

I would page the Underwear Nazi, but he has been MIA...

In line with the Brook Shield's Calvin Klein Jeans ad: Nothing gets between me and my chamois.

Wearing underware creates added layer which can cause friction...friction leads to chafing...chafing leads to saddle sores...saddle sores lead to pain/tears/remorse

Try Argentina?

"Going commando" derives from going in without support. Because bike shorts with the chamois pad give support, and are designed to be used without additional layers, its not commando.

They really are designed to be used without underwear. But like your underwear should be washed after each using.

Way back in the days of college, my end to this sentence would be: worn inside out for double use before washing.

My god I sicken myself

Underwear? Who needs underwear? I rode a stage of RAGBRAI in a bathing suit......with the mesh insert. I recommend it highly. It removed several layers of skin and my ass resembeled cube steak. That's what happens when you break down an 80 mile day into 8 - 10 mile beer runs.........

RAGBRAI, take me back.

Especially with this one: