OK...so I'm wearing the bike shorts -- grateful for the padding. Like everything else about getting started riding, I'm paying attention to where there is any friction or irritation. So far, I notice some on the right side, inner groin area.

Here's my question -- since what I understand is that it's seams that can create that (am I wrong?) it makes me curious about a few things -- like -- do you wear underwear or not with the bike shorts? That's an extra layer, and extra potential sources of irritation, particularly around the leg holes, right? Hard to imagine not wearing anything, but I'm checkin'

I've also been reading a bit about chamois butter...can someone help me understand what it does and what would suggest I should explore that at some point? I'm pretty tough, in general, so I'm not reaching out to eliminate any little ache or discomfort here, really just trying to learn about what I should be noticing, what is excessive, etc and what ways to play with the combination of what I wear and what could be adjusted (either the bike, or me!) to continually get to an optimal ride.

And on a totally absurd note...for all the ways that saddles affect our bodies, my thoughts have wandered to what the heck guys do with their package and how they must be totally affected by the ride?!!! Forgive my venture into these musings but a gal's got to wonder...