i too noticed a strange smell after washing and line drying the lycra shorts.
so i turn them inside out and spray the chamois with 'spray and wash' letting it soak in a bit before washing. i use the extra-long wash cycle (putting in jerseys, socks, bras, shorts, etc.). if it's an especially dirty day, give it a pre-wash soak too. use softener. then extra spin cycle and line dry everything. Monday's all the door frames are filled with bikin' stuff (both mine and the mr.) i have shorts that are 4 or 5 years old and still in good shape. i can preset my washer for this special cycle, so it's not a lot of extra pushing of buttons.
soph