Umm...sweaty bum...HELP!

[bikewriter]

Okay, I searched all over this forum to see if I could find a previous thread about this (to save me the embarrassment of posting it myself), but it looks like I'm out of luck. So here it goes...

I just moved to Chicago to live car-free. (Anyone want to buy a Mazda3)? That means I ride pretty much everywhere--the library, the grocery store, etc. But I'm prone to be sweaty. Even a ride that I feel like I'm taking it easy, my hair still gets sweaty underneath. But I'm dealing with that.

The *real* problem is my bum. When I get off the saddle, I'll have a wet spot on my bum. I'm riding in everyday clothes (cotton panties, cotton capris or shorts). I don't have anything against technical clothing, but sometimes you don't want to show up to a discussion group at a coffeehouse in bike shorts and a jersey.

Can anyone help...please?!?!

[pooks]

Have you considered getting the padded undies to go under your everyday clothes? Or a wraparound skirt to go over bike shorts?

[bikewriter]

Hi, Pooks! That's a thought. This might be a dumb question about the padded undies--can you tell they're padded when you where them under your clothes? Thanks for your suggestions!

[F8th637]

It's funny you mention this because yesterday a friend and I were riding on my usual bike trail and this kid came up from behind and he had very noticeable butt-sweat going on which is something I've never encountered. I tend to ride with Lycra at the very least. If I don't ride with the padded biking shorts (sans underwear, of course) I just wear some spandex that I found at my local Target underneath some shorts. You might want to consider bringing a skirt or something to wear once you've reached your destination over your bike shorts and no, the padding doesn't show.

[Geonz]

I'm selling my Mazda 5 with 49,000 miles to my brother TODAY. He's on his way here now from MD to turn it into a taxicab. I'm not committing to "being car-free" - but I'm not running out to get anything this week, and in mid-june I'll be gone for a week on a bike tour (GITAP)... and I wasn't driving anyway...

Cotton is not your friend (in this case)...

There are skorts and other nifty options (look at some ofthe Zoic stuff) right here on this site. With the money saved gonig car-free, you can invest in accessories for your new vehicle - YOU

[Cyclo Kitty]

I've not worn the padded undies with dress trousers that I can recall...but I wear them with skirts, and more recently, bike shorts with skirts to counteract the Marilyn Monroe effect.

Under skirts that you can ride a bike in, you can't tell. Under jeans and chinos, you can't tell. I've just never tried with office-type clothing. One tricky area is the waist, as in matching the height, or rise, of the shorts to the clothing.

Both methods have been really effective and helpful.

[bikewriter]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts on this...uh, situation of mine. I appreciate the input. It looks like the padded undies might be the way to go until I sell the car, then one of those cute bike skorts will be mine!!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Pooks,

In addition to skorts (which have built in bike shorts underneath), you can also purchase wrap skirts (Terry makes cute ones, or at least used to) that you can put on over your bike shorts after a ride. I have one I take in my rack pack for running errands on the bike.

Good luck, and a hearty congratulations on going car-free .... my dream too someday!

Emily