Panties under bike shorts?

[Cari]

Cari, geez! I'm not saying wearing panties is _better_, but going commando grosses me out. That's my reason. I don't not wear panties no matter what I'm wearing. But some people are comfortable that way. Good for them! (But I'm not wearing cotton panties under my bike shorts- I wear Patagonia technical fabric seamless ones. They're nice for sleeping in, too- no tugging them down!) Ooh, just the thought of all that "stuff," natural and man-made, getting on my lovely RS Flex chamois- eewww!! Not that Friction Zone doesn't soak through and make the saddle all shiny anyway...But you should err on the side of the general population, I think. But if you don't, you're in good company!

Nanci

Sorry Nanci, I didn't mean to single you out. I mentioned you specifically because I respect your opinion, and consider you to be a good example of an experienced rider who knows quite a bit about chamois and fabrics, but prefers to not go commando (as opposed to someone who wears panties under bike shorts because they don't know any better.)

I wanted ColleenT to know that while most riders favor wearing bke shorts without panties, if she decides to wear them, there's a way to do it (i.e. technical fabrics instead of cotton) and that, as you said, she's in good company.

Cari

[Nanci]

You can single me out if you want, Cari- that was "geez" like I'm embarassed that you think I "know a thing or two." Although between the two of us there is hardly a knicker stone unturned...

I do have one pair of shorts that feel better with no panties- the Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts- they are just _too_ sheer. But then I am very distracted by the whole commando feeling for quite a long time. I don't wear them very often.

Nanci

[Cari]

ok what do you do when it's that time of the month? minipad on Chamois?
...what are my choices?

Hi Colleen,

You'll find lots of discussion here about something called the "diva cup". I've never seen or tried one myself, but from what I've read here, I gather it's a rubber, cup-shaped widget that you put in *there* and it sort of collects everything. Like Grog said, do a search here on "diva" (or "diva cup").

You can also just use tampons and tuck the string in so it doesn't chafe.

I personally would not recommend trying to stick a minipad on the chamois. It would probably chafe, and with all the sweating, wouldn't stay in place either. A year and a half ago, while playing tennis against a *guy*, I had an unfortunate incident involving a wandering minipad. How embarrassing! I had to walk over to the side of the court between points to put the pad in the trash can. Fortunately, I was only using it as backup... thank God for small favors! Sheesh.

Cari

[ColleenT]

i won't be using the Diva cup, they gross me out. have seen them before. i'll stick with tampons, i guess. Thanks. i am sure we can all come up with an embarrasing story about our monthly friend..i sure have a doozie..