embarassing question

[morsecode]

So I was reading this article on "The Quest for the Perfect Saddle"
http://proshop2.trainright.com/oln/default.asp?article=1&sortBy=195&articleID=1693

And I saw this: "Underwear should not be worn beneath cycling shorts, as it causes chafing."

This is inconcievable to me... am I just being stubborn? it is really important not to wear underwear?

[OK, I'm a newbie. I have some lovely Pearl Izumi shorts, very comfy. I haven't had any chafing problems. My saddle problems really just boil down to numbness]

[Brandy]

I can't imagine wearing underwear with my shorts!

[DeniseGoldberg]

This is inconcievable to me... am I just being stubborn? it is really important not to wear underwear?

You should do what feels right to you - but frankly, I can't imagine wearing underwear with my bike shorts. They are designed to be worn without underwear, and they are very comfortable that way. And yes, I do wash my shorts after every use - but I'd do that with or without underwear.

There are some gals here who are more comfortable wearing underwear with their shorts, but I suspect that most of us don't.

--- Denise

[im4smiley]

nope...no undies under my shorts!

[Kitsune06]

Me- no undies under my shorts. I did this for a little while until my 'lines' were noticed and I was corrected. Much more comfortable.
DPITA- At my suggestion put on my shorts and stood there in abject horror, looked at me and said "But... they feel like diapers!"
No shorts for DPITA...:rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

No undies, and very happy about it! So comfy!

(and in lycra my butt looks much better *without* the undie lines!)

If you just don't want to go out in one layer of fabric, try wearing your shorts as though they were underwear (like boxer-briefs) and put capris or baggy shorts on over them.

One of my favorite things to wear on my bike is my Terry Commuter Skort. It's bike shorts with a wrap skirt over them. Nobody gets to see anything I don't feel like showing, and I'm very comfy on the bike. (no undies)

Edit: in fact, that's it in my avatar picture! http://www.terrybicycles.com/product.html?c=Apparel&sc=Skorts

[Quillfred]

Me- no undies under my shorts. I did this for a little while until my 'lines' were noticed and I was corrected. Much more comfortable.
DPITA- At my suggestion put on my shorts and stood there in abject horror, looked at me and said "But... they feel like diapers!"
No shorts for DPITA...:rolleyes:

They don't earn the title DPITA easily. ;)

Quillfred - no u's

[Tuckervill]

Edit: in fact, that's it in my avatar picture! http://www.terrybicycles.com/product...arel&sc=Skorts


But oh how I hate those colors. Why can't they have black? Or Navy or some other solid but flattering color?

Karen

edit: my bad...they do have solid colors--just not on that original link.. :::slinking away::::

[Grog]

No undies.

Make a "search" in the forum for the words "underwear" or "commando" to unearth about 1000 posts on this subject. :)

[tulip]

No undies!

Cycling shorts do NOTHING for panty lines!

[DebW]

Anybody else here old enough to remember when the "chamois" in bike shorts was really a chamois (i.e. an animal hide)? After the shorts were washed and dried, the chamois was stiff as a board. Before you wore them, you had to scrub it back and forth in your hands until it softened up. And the shorts were generally wool. I never had wool shorts (always wished I had a pair) because knit fabrics were just coming in and the shop owner's wife made the shorts we sold from knit fabric and leather chamois. Unfortunately, the chamois shrunk and the knit didn't, making for uncomfortable folds in the wrong places.

[Deb76]

No undies. When I first got cycling shorts I also felt a little weird about not wearing underwear underneath them but after riding 45 miles I figured out why everyone kept telling me to not wear undies. The underwear seams kept rubbing and actually created a bruised/red area. Cycling shorts are definately not meant to have undies worn underneath them.

[tulip]

Anybody else here old enough to remember when the "chamois" in bike shorts was really a chamois (i.e. an animal hide)? After the shorts were washed and dried, the chamois was stiff as a board. Before you wore them, you had to scrub it back and forth in your hands until it softened up. And the shorts were generally wool. I never had wool shorts (always wished I had a pair) because knit fabrics were just coming in and the shop owner's wife made the shorts we sold from knit fabric and leather chamois. Unfortunately, the chamois shrunk and the knit didn't, making for uncomfortable folds in the wrong places.

Oh yeah! I rode across France when I was 15 in those! That's what chamois cream was for back then--to soften the chamois. Sometimes the Good Old Days were not really all the great!

[Cassandra_Cain]

So I feel obligated to provide a different opinion here. I wear undies under my cycling shorts. Ack, blasphemy, outrage, scandalous! :D

I've tried with and without underwear and finally settled on using undies.

I think it is personal preferrence, but I would at least suggest you try it both ways. See what you are comfortable with and then go with that. I would let your comfort dictate the choice and not conventional wisdom.

[eclectic]

So I was reading this article on "The Quest for the Perfect Saddle"
http://proshop2.trainright.com/oln/default.asp?article=1&sortBy=195&articleID=1693

And I saw this: "Underwear should not be worn beneath cycling shorts, as it causes chafing."

This is inconcievable to me... am I just being stubborn? it is really important not to wear underwear?

[OK, I'm a newbie. I have some lovely Pearl Izumi shorts, very comfy. I haven't had any chafing problems. My saddle problems really just boil down to numbness]

I too was a hold out, bought my first pair of shorts 4 summers ago. Finally went commando a month ago

First was wearing Victoria Secret French cut, then tried a thong (that lasted 3 rides):p

Finally took the plunge and went commando.

WOW wish I hadn't waited so long

GO FOR IT ! ! !

[morsecode]

I guess I should give it a try :o

[spokewench]

Why would anyone wear undies under bike shorts? :confused:

[cherinyc]

Who would ever wear undies under their bike shorts?

anyone who had their introductory experience to a chamois - feel like your sitting on razor blades after 1/2 of a spin class - that's who.

I tried to eeeaaaaassssseeee my way to "real" bike shorts by getting a couple pairs of the women's REI boxer brief padded liners. I figured the chamois was there to act as the lining does in my underwear.
About 30 minutes into my first spin class, I thought my crotch was en fuego!!!! That really scared me about going without undies.
I have since upgraded to the real deal, and will wear undies....under...for short rides depending, but I do believe it works for some and not others.
The bad chamois experience has really inhibited me from buying shorts online until I can really see them in person first. Probably why I still only have 1 pair.
Also - I now own 2 pairs of these REI liners that I want to burn. I know they have a 100% guarantee policy, but I feel funny about returning them.

[snapdragen]

Ooh cheri, sounds like you got a bad chamois. I had a pair of older shebeest knickers that cut the heck out of my bum - wasn't that fun trying to bandage! A good chamois should not hurt in any way - if you feel like your getting cut, or sitting on razor blades - throw 'em out!

[Nanci]

I'm not the only one!

I wear undies under my shorts because it GROSSES ME OUT not to. I don't go commando under any other circumstances, either. EEEEEWWWWW!!

I even rode 375 miles last April _with_ undies. (one ride) (changed once)

Nice Patagonia seamless panties. Hasn't had any ill-effects on _me_ yet.

YMMV,

Nanci

[Cassandra_Cain]

Finally, the panty-wearing-under-bike-shorts lobby contingent appears. I knew I wasn't alone in this :D

[morsecode]

I guess I can continue as I am until I start having problems...

(it kinda grosses me out too :rolleyes: )

[cherinyc]

Nanci - you had mentioned that you wear the patagonia seamless in another thread - and because I would much prefer to wear panties too - I was looking for them all weekend. Are they actually called "seamless"?

[Nanci]

One style of panties:

http://tinyurl.com/rrtr7


Another style of panties: (I love both)

http://tinyurl.com/gjmee


A bra I really like:

http://tinyurl.com/pfrc6


Another bra I really like:

http://tinyurl.com/fshyo


My current fav sports bra for cycling:

http://tinyurl.com/f72uv


I have two of this bra, and it is comfy, but my boobs fall out the bottom :eek:

http://tinyurl.com/e9wvv

[mimitabby]

boy, you're not kidding about the lucky sizes. :(

[Thistle]

I guess I should give it a try :o


Hey morsecode, i have been riding just under a year, and i finally gave it a go for the first time last saturday. I'm converted. It's weird before you get on the bike, but once you're on it..... it's fine... you'll totally forget :cool:

[Nanci]

Well, I'd actually rather NOT fit into XL if I had the choice...

There never were any middle sizes, just the extremes. It's a good site to watch every day or two, in your favorite categories or brands, since they have turnover and you can sort by newest so you don't have to look at everything.

I managed to catch both styles of panties, that I already knew and loved, for an additional 20% off on a sale a couple days ago!! So they were $6 and $7 something. Unbelievable.

[Nanci]

You know what, though, if something is that cheap on STP, if you Froogle it, you can often find it on other discount sites as well. Like Back Country outlet, or REI outlet. They all get the same closeouts.

Nanci

[cherinyc]

well nanci - i have to say you pretty much have my taste in undergarments. love love love the hipsters - and anything with an underwire has been sitting in my drawer for some time now.
That gemini bra looks awesome - a little more style, less training bra-ish than I usually wear. Though, it would not be good to have my boobs fall out of the bottom.:eek:
keep me posted on those patagonia sales - i always look at the bras at REI. they look comfy!!

mimitabby - i see what you mean about the luckysizes. I am not an XL, but an XS panty just sounds painful, even if I actually was.

[mimitabby]

well nanci - - and anything with an underwire has been sitting in my drawer for some time now..

yeah, what about WIRES in women's underwear? What's up with that?
THAT STUFF HURTS!

[cherinyc]

seriously. men have parts that......uh....sag and droop also. you don't see underwire tighty whities.

[Nanci]

But if you reach the stage where you have dropping out problems, underwires prevent that. I think they're comfortable. Like a perch for a bird, only different! But they BREAK! Thus, the Patagonia bras. Who cares any more...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wires must be an update over whalebone....

Dropping out the bottom?!? Hmm..Maybe they should have little parachutes tucked in the cups...

[Pedal Wench]

You don't wear undies under a swimsuit, do you? Same thing here - it's just designed to be worn alone.

[Cassandra_Cain]

One style of panties:

http://tinyurl.com/rrtr7


Another style of panties: (I love both)

http://tinyurl.com/gjmee


A bra I really like:

http://tinyurl.com/pfrc6


Another bra I really like:

http://tinyurl.com/fshyo


My current fav sports bra for cycling:

http://tinyurl.com/f72uv


I have two of this bra, and it is comfy, but my boobs fall out the bottom :eek:

http://tinyurl.com/e9wvv

Fantastic! I'm going to buy all this stuff like now - I figure even if I am nowhere near as fast as Nanci, well at least I'll look the part :D

[Nanci]

Lisa SH, yes, now that I am nearly 48, my boobs are too tired to stand up straight any more. Oh well. I don't think parachutes would help- they don't actually _leave_ my body and have to be retrieved. Yet.

PS, Cassandra, I am nowhere near fast. I just go FAR! At 14-16 mph. Maybe it's the panties slowing me down.

[Cassandra_Cain]

PS, Cassandra, I am nowhere near fast. I just go FAR! At 14-16 mph. Maybe it's the panties slowing me down.

Heh....Far sounds good, since i'm neither fast or go far :)

I used to live in Tampa Bay when I rode years ago - the mountains here have put a huge dent in whatever minute traces of speed I had. Still, much much fun :cool:

PS. Those .02828 ounces that the undies add surely must be robbing you of at least 4-5 mph in speed :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa SH, yes, now that I am nearly 48, my boobs are too tired to stand up straight any more. Oh well. I don't think parachutes would help- they don't actually _leave_ my body and have to be retrieved. Yet.
Too funny! I can just see you chasing after them as they bounce down the sidewalk...



PS, Cassandra, I am nowhere near fast. I just go FAR! At 14-16 mph. Maybe it's the panties slowing me down.
I wear panties too, maybe they are slowing ME down as well! Actually, I don't have any official biking shorts with chamois yet. I just wear my nice UnderArmour lycra compression capris with CoolMax panels. They are so comfy, and I wear undies under them so I don't have to wash them every time and wear them out right away. I've done some 18 and 20 mile hilly rides with no problems at all so far. Scoff though ye may ladies...I suspect my little disposable panty liners are acting like a disposable mini-chamois... they stay put and are smooth and lightly padded and they don't bunch up or form wrinkles or have seams. I'll do things differently if and when I start having a problem I guess. Totally comfy so far (except for that borrowed bike incident with the huge soft "comfort" pillow saddle that hurt like HELL). My new bike next week will have a Brooks B17 "S" leather saddle, which I fully expect to add even further to my comfort.

[Nanci]

I don't think they'd bounce; they'd just lay there like fried eggs...

[DebW]

I don't think they'd bounce; they'd just lay there like fried eggs...

It's that hot, huh?

It was so hot...
you could fry a b**b on the sidewalk.

LMAO

[SouthernBelle]

yeah, what about WIRES in women's underwear? What's up with that?
THAT STUFF HURTS!

I crashed and broke my ribs in April. The underwire now hits that spot which can still be rather uncomfortable. So I'm slowly divesting myself of underwires. It's getting hard to find bras where the band is comfy.

[eclectic]

I bought my first pair of cycling shorts 4 summers ago - at that time no one told me commando was the way to go

I found out last summer but just couldn't do it :( Started with Victoria Secret hi rise, graduated to thong (that only lasted 3 rides :p took the leap to commando a month ago and am wishing I had done it way sooner

The only way to go !

I regards to boobs now that I am closer to 50 than 49 I am finally thankful I am flat chested, they don't get in the way, congregate sweat pools under them or hang to my navel without a bra, I can button shirts and men look me in the eye! :D

[mimitabby]

I started going commando after reading here that you're supposed to.
My average speed has gone up 5mph and now i Really smoke up hills!!

:D :D :D :D

okay, okay, only kidding except for the first line.
It still feels odd to me to put those shorts on without anything underneath. Now every time i pass another biker, i wonder...are they or aren't they?

[SadieKate]

I still don't get why it seems odd to go commando. You don't wear undies with a swimming suit, do you? Besides, pantyline is so unbecoming.

As far as "bad chamois" are concerned, a couple things I've learned over the years.

*The original PI 3D chamois: it grabbed "stuff" and held on for dear life during a road ride BUT it works great mountain biking. Who knew?
*The saddle/chamois/body position combo is critical. Sometimes they just don't like each other, but another chamois may love your saddle or may be fabulous in a time trial position and not on a mtbike.
*Flat stitching in your shorts is worth the extra cost. Sometimes it isn't the chamois or the saddle that is causing the pain.
*Thin chamois: Sometimes you can feel the seams in the crotch or on your saddle. When chamois wear thin and you can feel the seams on a road ride, the chamois may still be fine for mtbing because you move around so much more. A thin chamois also reduces chamois suck on technical terrain but can be incredibly awful on a century ride.

Moral of the story, don't assume a single experience with one chamois and with/without undies is the final solution. Experiment a little. I was about to throw out my PI 3D shorts because they were so painful for road rides but just wore them for 27 miles of singletrack. They were great.

[DrBee]

I started out wearing undies, then tried commando. Now - I could never go back. No undies for me. Although my mind, for just a brief second, does question what I'm doing every time I put the shorts on.

[Nanci]

I _have_ tried to switch- I just plain hate the feeling. I have a pair of Trashy Cat shorts, though, the Sunflower shorts, that are too sheer for underwear. Then I have to make an exception. But I don't like it...

[HipGnosis6]

I go commando.... the swimsuit analogy is good one.

of course, I work for a kilt manufacturer and spend more time than you'd think possible explaining that "commando is the only way to fly!"

[kelownagirl]

Related question: Do your hubbies, boyfriends, male friends etc go commando with cycling shorts? Mine says he doesn't like the "loose" feeling - needs something to hold the "boys" in place. What do your men do?

[mimitabby]

my DH wears long underwear with padding under his bike shorts. (It's pretty funny because sometimes it shows at the hemline!)

[slinkedog]

Hubby always goes commando, and so do I. :D

[Luci]

Good to hear about the PI 3d's. I am still going to tailor the pair I bought, but that makes sense considering how little time you spend in the saddle on a tough MTB ride.

You all are just cracking my up with the comando question. I hate panties anyway:D . I was happy when thongs became an option and I never gave wearing panties a thought under bike shorts. Hehe, but I must have my underwire and wonderbra!!!!!

My wonderful DH of 5 years this August goes commando and my former husband did also.

[DebW]

Anyone else have trouble wearing underwear off the bike when you're in good biking shape? There is a large tendon that connects the inner thigh muscle to the front of the pubic bone, and cycling seems to make it quite thick. Then my underwear cuts into it and becomes really annoying. Sometimes I wear boxers or go commando to avoid the pressure there.

[mimitabby]

Anyone else have trouble wearing underwear off the bike when you're in good biking shape? There is a large tendon that connects the inner thigh muscle to the front of the pubic bone, and cycling seems to make it quite thick. Then my underwear cuts into it and becomes really annoying. Sometimes I wear boxers or go commando to avoid the pressure there.
ooooooo I can't wait until I get that muscle!
I went from having the skinniest legs in town to having normal looking legs thanks to biking. No massive muscles sticking out yet!

[KnottedYet]

Jockey's "No Panty Line Promise" underwear don't cut into that tendon. They also don't ride up your b*tt.

My favorites are the high-cuts. Bikini cuts bothered that spot for some reason.

And then there's UnderArmor compression shorts with the longer inseam, which I wear as underwear. Those puppies are great!

[Geonz]

Snot rockets! Snot rockets! Rah! Rah! Rah!

[cherinyc]

I can honestly say that I have blown snot out of my nose on a ride too (when no one was around... but still REALLY GROSS!).

I have had to do things riding... that I NEVER THOUGHT I would do. The snot rocket is one of them.


my bf is all about the snot rockets - I hate it - I am afraid if I am too close behind I will get hit. The other day we were on a ride though, and my nose was running out of control from the dust, pollen, etc - and he's like "just blow it out already". I tried, but I think it was like one of those stage fright moments in the bathroom. My head was saying, "just blow", but the blowing strength just stopped somewhere in my throat or something. No good.
I ended up using the outer thumb part of my glove to wipe my nose, and since then, I just bring a clean, old washcloth that I tuck in one of my little pockets. yuck!

[Nanci]

That's why gloves mostly all have terry cloth backs...

[Eden]

Anyone else have trouble wearing underwear off the bike when you're in good biking shape? There is a large tendon that connects the inner thigh muscle to the front of the pubic bone, and cycling seems to make it quite thick. Then my underwear cuts into it and becomes really annoying. Sometimes I wear boxers or go commando to avoid the pressure there.


I really like "boy shorts" style underwear these days - they are uncomfortable to wear with jeans though - they bunch up too much. Under shorts (NOT cycling shorts - commando is the only way to go in my book) they are supreme (or sweats, or skirts or loose pants)

[Bike Goddess]

Andiamo makes "short liners"- not exactly your everyday underwear. If you want to wear something try those.

[FreshNewbie]

KSH, your post reminded me of one of my recent and so far longest rides (61miles) in 90F heat. It was a club ride and it was pretty fast since it was only me and another woman on the ride. I have to ride to the club ride for about good 40 mins and it's at 8 am. So on weekend mornings I have to get up at 6 am to have time to eat and get all bike stuff together. I don't take my time putting my hair neatly together or spraying myself with any sort of perfume or body spray. In fact I think sweat and perfume is the most disgusting thing ever. So anyway the point is that I don't put any effort into making myself pretty for a ride. So I come to this 61 mile ride and there this another woman who is in her 40's, her body is amazing, I am 23 and I wish I looked like this right now. So during the ride I was riding close to her and sweating buckets, like you dust on my body all over, sun block is slimy and gross down my legs and my arms. All in all feeling and looking gross. Towards the end of the ride she still looks amazing, smells like some sort of nice spray she put on before the ride, no sweat running, nothing. Whats' up with that???? I mean, doesn't she smell bad, sweat, etc. I was jealous

[KSH]

Towards the end of the ride she still looks amazing, smells like some sort of nice spray she put on before the ride, no sweat running, nothing. Whats' up with that???? I mean, doesn't she smell bad, sweat, etc. I was jealous

Did you check her to see if she was HUMAN?!:confused:

Gosh, I WISH I smelled good after a ride. No matter how much deodarent I put on... after 3 hours of being in the sun... my smell can rival that of a man's! :eek:

Oh well, we may stink... but at least we are out there doing it! HA! :D

[mimitabby]

how close to her did you get? I heard rumors of a blowup doll being on bike rides near your neighborhood!

[FreshNewbie]

Hmmm, and I thought it was somewhere next to you:) Let's just say that among other 15 male riders and me she looked like she never rode with us. I guess some are just that lucky. Ohh, well, off to drugstore to buy another gallon of deodorant :D

[rheidis73]

I was hoping there were other women out there that sweat as bad as I do! It is quite scary sometimes! I feel better now...KSH..at least we won't have to worry then about the ride! ....LOL I agree...if a person is not sweating that bad or not sweating at all...it could be the concept of the blow up doll...that is very feasible! :p

[Nanci]

I do something better than sweating- I turn beet red. I look like I'm _dying_ when I actually feel fine! People are always, _always_ asking me if I'm ok. I guess I just have skin that does that...(English, light and freckly, but luckily not _overly_ freckly and I can still tan.)

I don't sweat too much while I'm actually moving, (but I hate it when it drips off my face and onto my cue sheet and makes it run) but when I stop, it's like someone turned on a faucet.

[ACG]

Undies, wore them for a very long time under my cycling shorts. Do not do that any more, just dont tell my mom and my highschool principal.(a Nun!):eek:

Cycling Bras, have several of them, no underwire for me. I try to get the kind that make me look like I have headlights. Champion makes one I like, I don't remember the style.

Smelly women:There is one woman in my group who always wears makeup and way too much perfume, her choice I guess. After about 20 miles, most of it is gone. I have to say I don't smell too bad, no worse than anyone else.

My hair is a big issue, I have a lot of curly/wavy hair so I tie it back and wear a terrycloth head band. Otherwise it is all in my face and it sticks to my head.

I say you won't know what works till you try it.

[cherinyc]

nanci - you sound like me. I turn BEET RED! However, I am Swedish decent (my freckles make me think an Irishman jumped in somewhere along the way). One of the reasons I wanted to start cycling initially, was so I could commute to/from work. After the first ride my bf and I took, I saw how red I was and freaked that I would be sitting at work looking lobsterlicious for 2 hours w/ people asking what's wrong. My bf said to reply to those who asked, "my face is red because I rode my bike to work, what have you done this morning fat@$$?"
'sigh'....wouldn't it be great if I really could say that? I can't wait to have my own business.

[eclectic]

I do something better than sweating- I turn beet red. I look like I'm _dying_ when I actually feel fine! People are always, _always_ asking me if I'm ok. I guess I just have skin that does that...(English, light and freckly, but luckily not _overly_ freckly and I can still tan.)

I don't sweat too much while I'm actually moving, (but I hate it when it drips off my face and onto my cue sheet and makes it run) but when I stop, it's like someone turned on a faucet.

I can relate to the beet red. And to give it even higher contrast my eyebrows are white blonde and get whiter as my face gets redder :eek:

My friends always used to think I was dying and constantly asked if I was OK. And I too feel just fine. I am Swedish and Norwegian, very fair complected and it takes a lot to get me to sweat but like you Nanci - when I stop look out. Now that I live where there is a little more humidity (a whole 28% today :p ) the sweating is coming along better.

Yes I definately think the one who never wilts is a blowup doll or careful - a Stepford Wife :eek: