How much is too much skin?

**WindingRoad** · 07-19-2009, 07:42 AM

I didn't want to go too specific because I don't want to offend anyone who may be comfortable wearing less than myself. OK, that's my disclaimer.

I guess she seemed inappropriate b/c it was 58 degrees and she had on a sport bra and short (maybe 1.5 inches below the crotch) cycling shorts. There was the whole display of rubbing on of the sunscreen too in front of a whole bunch of guys. There was more I guess than just the clothes. I swear to you all I'm not being a catty git it just struck me as unnecessarily showy. Standing next to this person while the sunscreen was going on made ME uncomfortable and I'm a girl. Guys around me were wiping their chins realizing I'm next to her during this provocative moment was uncomfortable. Like I said, on that front, I'm rather conservative.

**snapdragen** · 07-19-2009, 08:15 AM

I think I understand, it's more about the behavior than the clothing. I've seen a few women dressed minimally for a ride, behaving as if they were in a singles bar. I swear, one woman was wearing a pushup bra! I suspect they would behave this way no matter where they were, or what they were wearing. They are the same ones that show up in full makeup for a century.

Wear what you're comfortable in, ignore the rest. Me? Right now I'd be comfortable in a burka....

snap "not gonna see me in lycra soon" dragen

**kiwibug** · 07-19-2009, 08:29 AM

I don't know.. I wear tank tops (made for exercising in) simply because I can't afford any jerseys. I already had these tops from going to yoga and the gym, and so I chose to spend my money on good cycling shorts instead! Sometimes it makes me kind of self-conscious because maybe I look less serious about cycling.. As for cycling in a bra, I wouldn't be comfortable doing that.

**Mr. Bloom** · 07-19-2009, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by snapdragen

I think I understand, it's more about the behavior than the clothing.

I really agree with this...but please realize that what looks prudent standing up may look very different "in the drops" and if this matters to you, it's another issue to consider.

**Biciclista** · 07-19-2009, 09:06 AM

ah, so it wasn't her lack of clothing, it was the way she was acting. You have every right to be indignant about that, but, where I come from we have people who ride in the nude... okay, with body paint... and I don't think they're being inappropriate...

**Grog** · 07-19-2009, 09:39 AM

I just feel sorry for her if she crashes, because where there isn't fabric there will no be skin anymore.

I also don't understand how short cycling shorts can be comfortable. The chafing on inner-thighs would be unpleasant to me, I like my shorts to be about 2/3 down my thighs.

This being said, I wouldn't be too bothered if she was riding with me, that's really her problem. If she was riding in my club and there was a club uniform, matters would be different.

As for someone pushing your bum from behind: I don't think it's construed as groping within the cycling world, and I've seen men do it to each other. But if you don't want the person to do that, just say "no thanks."

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 07-19-2009, 09:54 AM

I can't control what others do or wear, I can only be responsible for myself in such situations. If they want to show lots of skin or act provocatively or even make fools of themselves, that's their business --unless they are doing something directly harmful to me (apart from simply evoking my personal disapproval).

As to a guy grabbing/patting my behind to 'give me a boost'- well i'd let him know loud and clear in front of everyone that that was totally inappropriate.

**channlluv** · 07-19-2009, 10:03 AM

I like my thigh-length PI cycling shorts, too, but I'm not crazy about the tan line. That would be my main motivation for getting shorter shorts. Ah, vanity.

I also wear tank tops for riding. I picked them up at Footlocker for $5 each. Can't beat that. They're long, loose, light cotton that dries quickly and are really comfortable to ride in. I do wear sports bras underneath. It would have to be really, really hot for me to ride in anything less.

I've got a couple of sleeveless jerseys, too, but they're short and I feel like my waistline is exposed when I ride in them. I'm not quite that much of an exhibitionist.

As for that woman's behavior, well, props to her obviously high self-esteem, but yeah, if she crashes, I pity her the road rash. Was it a "Woman in Red" kind of thing, where she wasn't aware that she was putting on that kind of display, or was she luxuriating in the attention that her hotness was drawing? Some women are just more exhibitionistic. (Is that a word?) Others are focused on the athleticism. I have to admit to flexing a bit more myself when my husband is around. He appreciates the view, and I appreciate his appreciation, you know?

As for the guy grabbing your butt while riding, did you really need a boost up a hill? I would have been shocked, too, believe me. I'm not experienced at all in group rides, though. I've never seen anyone, male or female, "boost" anyone like that. Maybe it was perfectly innocent.

Roxy

**Biciclista** · 07-19-2009, 10:06 AM

i have been boosted too, but the guy who did it didn't touch me, he pushed my bike! it was hilarious. Obviously, he hadn't gotten too close to me, as I couldn't feel it..

**Mr. Bloom** · 07-19-2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by channlluv

if she crashes, I pity her the road rash

I think there's a misperception on the protection that clothes provide from road rash.

Some of my worst road rash was under my unripped clothes - the only difference between the exposed skin and the unexposed was the road grit.

Sorry to hijack...

**jobob** · 07-19-2009, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by snapdragen

Wear what you're comfortable in, ignore the rest. Me? Right now I'd be comfortable in a burka....

LOL, snap!

**ilima** · 07-19-2009, 01:19 PM

I live in Hawaii, where shortish shorts and tanks are common on women. I usually wear a short sleeve jersey for sun protection. Gotta get me a pair of Coolwings.

Although uncommon, you see the occasional triathlete training in a triathlon-specific bathing suit, typically when she's gotten something new and wants to test it out before a race.

The behavior accompanying the outfit is what makes it or breaks it. While I've seen some skimpy clothing, the women can simply hammer and aren't dolled up or putting on a show while applying sunscreen so I think nothing of it.

**arielmoon** · 07-20-2009, 04:32 AM

I do not like jerseys when it is really hot out so I wear a singlet. This has spawned a few questions about whether I am a triathlete because I guess they look like tri tops but they are not revealing at all in the front.

For example: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...TC39C&v=glance

Another reason I like them is the tan line. The shorts tan line is bad enough, I dont want the tan line across my biceps.

I got road rash through both my top and my shorts so I dont think there any extra protection to warrant short sleeves. Neither one even had a pull. In fact I cant tell now which one of my 3 pairs of Shebeest are the ones I crashed in. But I had me some road rash up my thigh and hip and across my shoulder blades where I had clothing.

I have had some guys come up and touch my lower back when they wanted to chat and I was not real keen on it but when I got a push up a tough hill I was all about appreciating the help. I guess it depends on the circumstance for me.

**OakLeaf** · 07-20-2009, 05:11 AM

The fact that a garment is undamaged after a crash is proof that it DID provide protection, not that it didn't.

It's not the same as a helmet, where it absorbs impact and is destroyed. Fabric protects by sliding. Different fabrics protect to different degrees. Skin-tight shiny lycra is the best for sliding against your skin. No thin fabric will protect against large, sharp rocks. Obviously it's not motorcycle leather, but it's some protection.

As far as tan lines... find a nude beach or move to the country.

Considering all the other lines (zero tan on the front of the torso; Y stripes on the jawline from the helmet; whatever type of gloves you wear; socks; darker on the tops of the thighs and the backs of the calves than anywhere else; etc. - sleeves hardly makes a difference.

**WindingRoad** · 07-20-2009, 05:48 AM

Always interesting to hear what everyone has to say. I also run so I really understand about the heat factor. I usually wear a tank to keep cool because I'm a furnace when I run. I've pondered wearing just a sports bra only but my modesty kicks in and I just can't do it.

We actually had a record low the day of this ride (it barely hit 70) which is why it popped out in my mind as kinda over the top. And yes HoosierGiant it was the raIN ride, I hope you had a great ride too if you were out there

. I can see it's very subjective (obviously) on what people consider appropriate cycling apparel. It's kinda funny to think about us considering ANY cycling apparel conservative now that I think about it. Most people that don't ride who drive by us and see us out in our spandex are like "God I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that!!!"

Maybe I'm the girl in the car in this particular case?

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