No, this is not a thread on knowing when it's time to buck up and buy new shorts, but how to feel less exposed while riding and wearing Lycra.

I see lots of riders on the trail/road while I'm out and about happily wearing bike centric clothes, but there is this piece of me that just dreads the thought of others seeing me in a bike kit. Yea I have to admit I'm not the fittest of women and there are a few extra pounds on my bones.

Ironically the biking is helping with, plus in reality, I know other cyclists are doing there own thing and hardly noticing how others are dressed unless it's WAY out there. The ONE and only time I stepped out the house all clad in Lycra it was late winter and just above freezing and I had my wool base layer and was close to the most comfortable I've ever been on the bike as I didn't get all sweaty and gross feeling, even tho I was indeed working against a headwind.

I let a friend talk me out of buying a pair of trail shorts and bought a pair of cargo shorts off the rack at the big box store and figured I'd just wear my bike shorts under. Im not positive, but now I'm thinking these shorts were a part of my discomfot and chaffing on my last ride, coupled with a fairly new saddle.

So, anyone else out there not thrilled with the level of "exposure" bike shorts provide?

Shannon