I registered just to ask this question...

[Minty]

Hi everyone. I've been thinking of registering for a while, but this last week has brought me a question I just can't ask anyone else. My cycling "guru" is an ex semi-professional rider, but is a man and I'm not going to ask him - especially since I'm working on getting him to be a bit more than my guru!

Ok - so I've always only had pretty cheap knicks in the past. They've had a HUGE chamois and I've been happy to ride them without undies.

I spent some money on good knicks finally and the chamois is better quality, but also doesn't cover the "bikini area" at the front like the cheaper ones did. By that, I mean the pubic hair.

Now my problem - It's like the way that if you wear pantyhose when your legs are a bit hairy and the hairs sort of poke out through the hose. Yep, classy chick that I am, some of my pubic hair is kind of poking out through the lycra!
See why I couldn't ask the guru!

I'm not a waxing girl, but I keep my hair trimmed short and tidy which helps, but doesn't completely stop the problem. It's also made worse by the fact that most knicks are black and - well, I'm a natural blonde.

Maybe a bit much for my first post but I hope somone can help with a solution if there is one.

[chickwhorips]

color it bright red just for fun!!! just kidding.

you may have to shave or trim a bit more or try finding a different pair of shorts where you don't have this problem.

[DebW]

I'd suggest either letting the hair grow longer or trying different shorts. Never heard of or saw anyone else with this problem.

[Minty]

Thanks girls - gives me some ideas and means I don't freak out my guru!

I'll try shorter and longer hair options and also be a lot more mindful of the situation next time I buy knicks.

[Kalidurga]

You never know, your "guru" might be able to identify. I seem to recall a letter on the exact same subject written in to either Bicycling Magazine or Mountain Bike mag by a male rider

[Geonz]

I suspect the problem will disappear with thicker quality shorts.

[KSH]

That's so odd... I have never bought/tried on a pair of cycling shorts that didn't cover the area where my pubic hair is.

Although, I do keep mine... uuummm... down to the "area". Gosh, not sure how to say it. I don't wax... just shave... and I don't shave between the legs... as that has cause me some serious issues in the past with cycling/sweat.

Maybe I just gave too much information?

Moral of the story: Go buy some shorts that cover your pubic hair, so it won't show.

[Meg McKilty]

I'm a huge supporter of the Brazilian wax.

You can pay $80 for a professional to do it, or you can buy a kit for $16 at Sally's Beauty Supply and have a close friend yank away at your stuff.

Not only that, but it lasts about 6 weeks. r00f.

[light_sabe_r]

Hmmmm...

You say you keep it trimmed right?? Well maybe that's the problem. Your hair is SHARP when it's cut or shaved (stubble) and this maybe what you hair needs to push through the lycra. Waxed hair has to grow back from the START therefore is a little more WHISPY and less likely to come through.

Let it grow or wax it off I say.

[matagi]

Minty, given you're in Oz, can I offer a suggestion - Ground Effect knicks (from NZ, mail order only, about $AUD78) They are reasonably thick lycra and I can guarantee you won't get pubic hair poking through (not that I have had this problem, but my husband has)

[RoadRaven]

I don't have any women's specific shorts, and have found them fine - and what mens shorts have over womens is more padding up higher at the front...

That could be one thing to try.

[Thistle]

yikes... i never even thought to check

[Minty]

Last night I rode in my old knicks that I didn't think I'd had this problem with, but I looked down and lo-and-behold - I'm looking like a pin cusion in them too! Hilarious!

I'm wondering if most people get this happening, but it's only us fair haired folks who ever really see it? I'm only talking a milimetre or two, but if you're blonde it really shows.

I'm not going near any wax, so I might just try different 'hairstyles' and see how I go. Or, I could just ride so fast that I'm a blur and nobody can see me anyway! (Have to work on that one).

Just to clarify in response to a few comments above, it's not the knicks that don't cover the pubic area, it's the chamois/fabric thickness. But then, I don't want to feel like I'm riding in a nappy so I think a chamois high at the front would be uncomfortable.

Also, not wanting to ask the guru because I have sneaky plans for him - should they work out he'll find out soon enough what's under the knicks. Can't go spoiling things for him can I?

[Trekhawk]

I'm not going near any wax, so I might just try different 'hairstyles' and see how I go..

LOL - cant say I blame you YIKES that stuff hurts. One of the ladies here at TE (sorry cant remember who) mentioned in a previous thread awhile ago about using hair conditioner on the pubic hair while in the shower. I think it was for this exact problem.

Hey cant hurt to give it a try. Hope it helps and good luck with the guru.

[Meg McKilty]

I'm not going near any wax, so I might just try different 'hairstyles' and see how I go.

Ever thought about just shaving it all off? Use some peroxide on your no no cha cha afterwards to prevent those red shaving bumps.

Why such a wax hater? Wax is (y)our friend.