Simple solution to the capri question

I've been considering getting some capri length pants with a chamois, but haven't been willing to shell out the $$$. This morning I took off at 8AM, temp 48 degrees, sunny. Just a bit chilly.

I pulled on my thinnest (read: old, cheap) shorts. I considered my fleece long pants over the shorts, but knew I'd be too hot. So I pulled on the cheap capris I got at Target to wear when I play volleyball. Perfect. I rode to a meeting where it was OK to look sporty, rode up to brunch with friends, and rode over to the lakefront (met beta!). I took a break before heading home, ate some sports beans, drank some water. By now it was in the high 60s, so I pulled off the capris, stashed them in my Timbuk2 bag, and came home. Again, perfect. I realized that if I'd bought the capris w/chamois, I'd be stuck wearing the capris, even when it warmed up.

The capris were great--with wool socks I wasn't cold at all. Nothing to get caught in the chain, and I looked "decent" in public (ie, off the bike). Glad I didn't spend $80. I will probably go buy another pair of cheap capris at Target though! (any excuse to go to Target...:p )

Yep, I'm definitely a fan of capris without any fixed/builtin chamois. My favorites are the Versa Capri's that I got here from TE. I can wear a cheapie pair of shorts with thin chamois, deluxe sorts with superduty chamois, or anything in between. And take them on/off as desired. :)