Observations...

[jlnc]

Since I started riding this year, I pay more attention to other cyclists I see out and about. I check out their bikes, their attire, how they handle traffic, how they ride in a group...all out of curiosity and maybe learning something. So, today I was driving home and I saw a guy ahead of me riding in some pretty heavy traffic, nice bike (couldn't see what it was), full kit, etc. When I got a bit closer, what I really noticed was....boyfriend needed some new cycling shorts! OMG! They were totally threadbare, I could see everything! He ended up behind/next to me at a stop light and I really wanted to roll down the window and tell him! (Do you think he already knew, or would have cared?) Sorry, no point to this post really, other than it was funny, and I will definitely double check myself next time I leave the house!:rolleyes:

[Velocivixen]

So....how'd he look?!

[channlluv]

So....how'd he look?!

<snort>

[pll]

Pubic exposure....:eek: It should be illegal. I've been the 'beneficiary' several times. And it has always been guys.

[Dogmama]

Carry a camera & SHARE! Or - was it even worth sharing...? :p

[jlnc]

LOL, you guys are funny...it wasn't anything worth getting all paparazzi over...

[Cynedra]

My DH has been wondering whether to get some kit biking shorts and undergarment biking shorts. After reading this and a few others like it, we have reached our decision.

[Velocivixen]

I have electric windows in my car; I'd likely have said something. Not rude or crude, but if I could have gotten him to stop for a second I'd have said something like, "I don't mean to be rude, but I thought you'd want to know that you can see Everything through your shorts".

[Owlie]

Pubic exposure....:eek: It should be illegal. I've been the 'beneficiary' several times. And it has always been guys.

Gives it a whole new meaning...;)

It is always guys, for some reason, and they're never the good-looking ones either...

[TsPoet]

I have electric windows in my car; I'd likely have said something. Not rude or crude, but if I could have gotten him to stop for a second I'd have said something like, "I don't mean to be rude, but I thought you'd want to know that you can see Everything through your shorts".

According to my non-riding friends, you can see everything through a new pair of shorts. If someone said that to me, i'd just roll my eyes assuming they didn't realize the purpose behind the compression material.
This is another reason i just got bike plates on my car - so if I say something like this to a cyclist, hopefully they'll know I'm supportive and not only being a jerk (I might still be being a jerk, just not only a jerk).

A friend at work sent around a video entitled "moon rise over the Columbia" (the Columbia is the river that runs through town) and it was a video of the cyclist in front of him on his commute that morning - um yeah, I'd rather see through a pair of shorts than over the top of them.
I found out later that the mooner was the guy in the office next to me. I didn't recognize him by his crack.

[tulip]

Um, careful ladies, glass houses and all that...I have been notified that I was an offender on a group ride, with many miles to go. Nothing to do but grin and bear it, although I do think I decided to ride sweep.

I have since retired several pairs of shorts to the under-tights-only category. I'm glad I have such winter shorts; makes the still-decent ones last longer.

Serves me right for being overly frugal, I suppose.

[redrhodie]

Um, careful ladies, glass houses and all that...

+1

I asked my friend at the lbs if he'd tell me if my shorts were see through, and he said yes, but probably not right away. :D

[emily_in_nc]

+1

I asked my friend at the lbs if he'd tell me if my shorts were see through, and he said yes, but probably not right away. :D

This forum needs a "Like" button. :D

[Crankin]

I once told my good friend and riding buddy that the new Exte Ondo shorts her DH bought her were totally see through on the top, and around the crack. This was the "new" type of mesh/ventilated shorts that are very popular. Usually I am always pulling her, but for some reason this day I was behind her.
The only other people I have seen with this issue have been men.

[OakLeaf]

I'd rather see through a pair of shorts than over the top of them....I didn't recognize him by his crack.

LM (hopefully non-visible) AO

[Velocivixen]

@tspoet, so are you suggesting (per your non-cycling friends) that you can "see everything" even with new shorts? If so that's good to know. Do they mean that the fabric is actually see through? Or that the spandex is so tight that you see all the contours of the body (on men this might be more noticeable given their frontal "package"). I regularly wear spandex capris to the gym and to run and you can see every ounce of fat on my body, but you definitely cannot actually see through the fabric.
Fortunately for me I wear plaid mountain biking shorts when I ride. Lol

[TsPoet]

@tspoet, so are you suggesting (per your non-cycling friends) that you can "see everything" even with new shorts? If so that's good to know. Do they mean that the fabric is actually see through? Or that the spandex is so tight that you see all the contours of the body (on men this might be more noticeable given their frontal "package").Lol

The latter!
Since I ride a bent, I, too, usually cover up my shorts. I didn't used to wear cycling shorts, but even without a pad, they really are more comfortable than looser shorts.

[OakLeaf]

are you suggesting (per your non-cycling friends) that you can "see everything" even with new shorts?

Depends on the brand. It does happen, but not universally.

[marni]

around here it always seems to be the very well padded bikers of a darker complexion who choose the white shorts and kits and then wear them to excess. It seems to be equally divided between women and men.

You'd be surprised how much you can see.

[Velocivixen]

Oh goodness. This is good to know for sure. Heck, I'll even keep my eyes open for it! Could be some fun, free entertainment. ;)

[TsPoet]

hopefully not a hijack -
22 European riders came over this summer and rode across the country on velomobiles. I went down to Umatilla to meet them. It was very hot and they spent the day in the gorge with little shade and a lot of miles to ride. The first one in (Stephen?) pedaled up and hopped out - wearing very small very tight underwear. He and I chatted for 45 min before the next rider pulled in. He emptied the cloths that he'd been shedding over the day's ride - shorts, T-shirt, etc. as we chatted. He never did anything to cover up, just chatted and hung out and ate the watermelon I brought the guys...
The European mentality is very different and I think perhaps not wrong. Of course in a velo, you can't see the rider below the neck at all. So, stripping down to your undies on such a hot day was probably a good idea. The not covering up as soon as you get into camp and chat with a new woman you've never met is definitely European.

(BTW - here's one of many links on the subject of ROAM..
http://web.mac.com/josef.janning/Roll_over_America/Media.html )