Going commando?

[siguradam]

I am not a woman, nor am I new to cycling. My fiance, however, would like to start road riding. I'm 99% positive that I know the answer to this question but she insists that I go to a reliable source. So here I am!
Do women also ride without underwear? And what about ...er...discharge? Is it acceptable to use some kind of pad, or is the chamois ok for this task?
Thank you so much for your help!

EDIT: I apologize if this is a question that's asked often. I quickly searched "shorts" in the forum but couldn't find anything.

[Veronica]

Tell her commando is the way to go. And get her here on TE.

Veronica

[Trekhawk]

Do women also ride without underwear? And what about ...er...discharge? Is it acceptable to use some kind of pad, or is the chamois ok for this task?
Thank you so much for your help!

EDIT: I apologize if this is a question that's asked often. I quickly searched "shorts" in the forum but couldn't find anything.

First off I would like to say how supportive of you to ask these questions for your other half.

Next when you are talking discharge are your talking menstrual or just your normal garden variety stuff? I know there was a thread about this but I must admit I cant seem to find it. From what I can remember for menstrual flow most used tampons and the chamois worked fine for any leakage or for those with a light flow some mentioned using the chamois on its own.

Lastly - are you still there ..... LOL.... this cant be your normal topic of conversation.

[CorsairMac]

It's truly a personal issue:

there are women here that go commando and there are women that wear liners/panties. I would suggest commando but it depends on her personal comfort level. Maybe have her try it both ways. The chamois is thick enough to absorb pretty much every thing but again it's her level of comfort that needs to determine what works for her.

and what V says - introduce her to the board!

[Geonz]

Snicker and grin... I can understand you 'quickly searching for shorts' ... tell her to do some more searching 'round here, she'll find plenty of "too much information."
(So where did the prhase "going commando" come from, anyway? I don't believe it was women's cycling...)

[Nanci]

Hey, at least we're not FREEBALLIN' like a _pediatric_ patient of mine this week!!!

Nanci

(Who hasn't died yet from _not_ going commando!!)

[Pax]

Tried cotton undies, tried "wicking" undies, tried undies made from fancy schmancy fabric that cost more than a steak dinner, all gave the pinching-wedgy effect...go commando now...ahhhhhhhhhh.


BTW Nanci...I've heard the "freeballin" phrase from a few young boys I know...pretty funny!

[Veronica]

Earliest uses

Slate's Daniel Engber dates the modern usage to 1974 college campuses, where it was perhaps an outgrowth of the Vietnam War [1]. The origins of the phrase are uncertain, with some speculating that it may refer to being out in the open or ready for action. According to Engber many soldiers do go without underwear to increase ventilation and reduce moisture. The earliest known use of the term in print is January 22, 1985 with Jim Spencer writing in the Chicago Tribune: Furthermore, colored briefs are 'sleazy' and going without underwear ('going commando', as they say on campus) is simply gross.
[edit]

Military significance

The term can also refer to being completely naked (i.e, "going commando in a sleeping bag"). On completion of their "commando" course, British Royal Marines are known to drink together whilst wearing no clothing at all. Soldiers do, on longer operations in the field, "go commando" as it increases airflow to the genitals, whilst reducing the amount of administration required to carry and change underwear daily. The term is analogous to the Scottish military term "regimental" referring to wearing no underwear under the kilt.
[edit]

Pop culture uses

* In a 1994 Seinfeld episode, Kramer decides not to wear underwear for medical reasons, but the line, I'm out there, Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it! only hints at the true meaning and the term is not uttered. [2]

* In a 1996 episode of the television show Friends, Joey and Rachel use the term "going commando" [3]. In the producers' commentary of the episode, they mention the fact that the phrase "going commando" entered the Oxford English Dictionary because of that particular episode.


V.

[jobob]

It must be Friday

[DebW]

If anyone is interested, long distance hikers of both genders often go commando to increase ventillation and decrease chafing. Especially males in kilt. That would be a far better show on a windy day than commando cyclist. Sorry to bring that up, but it is Friday.

[siguradam]

Thank you, all. You've been a great help. I may or may not be back with more questions. I'll try to convince her to register once she gets more involved with this sport.
Takk!

[Trek420]

siguradam,

Did you just say "Takk?" Are you Scandinavian of some persuasion? We have some Norwegians on board. Get her registered.

Tusen Takk (hope I'm spelling that right, means "a thousand thanks" or at least I think it does) for asking.

Trek-I'm-lovin'-every-minute-of-it-420

[alpinerabbit]

I had my period most of all week last week on my biking holiday, can you believe it?

On the first couple days, I resorted to stuffing up the string on the tampon all the way in so it does not chafe, takes some, erm, diggin to get it out again. The overflow just went into the chamois. They are easy to clean, as stated in other threads it all comes out in the wash. Best to have black shorts (as I have noticed on another occasion).

Always keep in mind that what comes out is basically sterile. Once home, wash with soap right away. Plain soap kills 99% of Bacteria present, the rinsing and drying will remove/kill off what's left, it's safe. Grossness to the max, I only have one pair of long tights and it was too cold to go in shorts, so: I wore the same tights for 6 days, just washing with shampoo every night.