Bike shorts, needing a little more "coverage"

[ivorygorgon]

I starting road riding only a little over a year ago, so I am pretty much a complete newb. I was hesitant to delve into the whole realm of cycling apparel at all! I am always very self conscious about how I look and I hate all clothing! LOL. BUT, I wanted to be comfortable on my bike. I wanted to ride long distances. I want to get faster - and really that means dressing the part. There are good reasons why the cycling clothing is designed like it is. So, I made myself get over it. I now wear jerseys and shorts (oh, and I love the socks). I love the pockets on the jerseys. I can't imaging wearing more clothing to deal with. For those of you that said you wear more than one pair of shorts or something over the shorts It is true that most people don't give a fig about what you look like, so it is up to you to make yourself more comfortable. But the real truth is, if you don't like it that much, don't wear it. You don't have to.

[Bike Chick]

We are worried about being self-conscious in lycra and spandex. There is always the other extreme.

[Eden]

We are worried about being self-conscious in lycra and spandex. There is always the other extreme.

Oh my.... you might want to put the NSFW label (not safe for work) on that one

[loopybunny]

A friend of mine wears a skort made for cycling. It's actually really cute and simple plain black.

My issue is with jerseys. I'm tall so women's jerseys are never long enough (plus, I don't like a lot of the prints or that so many of them are sleeveless). I also like them longer to cover up my wide behind, which apparently is a "fine piece of a**" according to some volunteer dude at a bike race a month ago. While it might be much tighter than it used to be, I'm still not thrilled with it and my thunder thighs being on display, however, I'm more concerned with my lumpy upper half.

[nscrbug]

If "exposure" is the issue, you could always go with knickers instead of shorts. Granted, they may be a bit warm to wear in the summer...but I've actually worn knickers when the temps started out cool and then rose into the 70's and I felt fine in them. I particularly like the one pair of Shebeest "pedal pushers" knickers...they're cute, comfy and they don't have any grippers on the calves...they have a small slit at the calves. I think REI carries them.

[marni]

of course the other solution is to ride so fast that no one can see you long enough to tell what you're wearing. Of course this also means never stopping mid ride for an iced coffee or treat.

Mymother used to quote the Danish poet Piet Hein
"you wouldn't worry
what other people
think of you,
if you knew that
they seldom do."

I just hate it and despair when I hear someone commenting on someone else's physique and why they don't deserve or shouldn't be wearing what they are wearing. Such bigotry.

There is a huge man at the gym- He looks like he might be of Samoan or Maori descent. He was on one of the resistance machines trying to work out- which in his case was two repeats and a breather, two repeats and a breather. Some studly guy came bustling up, realized the machine was being used and stormed away muttering about the fat slob who should just realize he is a loser and go home and lie back down on his couch.

I can't stand that and I told the stud that at least the guy was there and doing his best but I fear it fell on a marble head.

People can be so mean. Ride your ride and wear what works for you.

marni

[Velocivixen]

A local woman has a business called Sweet Spot Skirts - has a web page and facebook page. I just bought one of her skirts today at the PetalPedal event ride today. They sort of take the edge off wearing lycra. I wear mountain bike shorts (look like plaid bermuda shorts) that has a removable liner w/chamois.

[Catrin]

We are worried about being self-conscious in lycra and spandex. There is always the other extreme.

Oh my, I had no idea there was such an event! I agree, it does need the NSFW label

[Owlie]

We are worried about being self-conscious in lycra and spandex. There is always the other extreme.

Note to self: Do not buy a second-hand saddle from any of these cities...

I put a pair of regular athletic shorts (the knee-length ones, from Target) over my bike shorts when I first started riding. (And thanks for the link to the wrap skirt--I'm planning on biking to visit my very fashion-conscious sister next year, and I don't think she'd be caught dead with me in spandex.)

[owlice]

Note to self: Do not buy a second-hand saddle from any of these cities...

lol!!! (I cannot imagine riding without something between my seat and me. Oog!! )

I wear biking shorts. If someone else cares, that's not my problem. My problem is chafing, and that problem is minimized/non-existent when I wear biking shorts. So though some may think my bike shorts should be printed with "wide load" across the rear (front, thighs...) -- I wouldn't disagree with them. I also won't let that stop me.

[Catrin]

lol!!! (I cannot imagine riding without something between my seat and me. Oog!! )

I wear biking shorts. If someone else cares, that's not my problem. My problem is chafing, and that problem is minimized/non-existent when I wear biking shorts. So though some may think my bike shorts should be printed with "wide load" across the rear (front, thighs...) -- I wouldn't disagree with them. I also won't let that stop me.

This! I am also experimenting with baggy shorts with liners. I have found one that I like. Another pair of baggies have a liner that isn't removable. I see a pair of scissors in my future...

[Desert Tortoise]

Wear whatever makes you most comfortable and allows you to stay on the bike as long as you want.

If you do go the route of regular shorts with bike shorts and get "uncomfortable" on the saddle, try a different pair of regular shorts with your bike shorts. It can be something as simple as the cut or type of fabric. Might take trying a few a things but that's true of biking shorts too.

Keep riding!

dt

[PamNY]

I wear really light nylon capris over bike shorts in summer. Also, as someone mentioned upthread, a gusseted crotch might be helpful.

I've worn virtually every kind of pants over bike shorts at one time or another with no problem.

[jessmarimba]

For those of you that said you wear more than one pair of shorts or something over the shorts

It depends on why I'm riding and who I'm around. I'm perfectly comfortable with how I look in bike shorts, but that doesn't mean everyone at the grocery store needs to see me wearing them. Or my work, for that matter. Technically, we're forbidden in the employee handbook from wearing tight fitting athletic clothing (i.e. bike clothing) in the office. And sometimes I get tired of catcalls from men in my neighborhood (I can't even run here anymore). So yourself. Wearing less revealing clothing doesn't prevent people from getting better or going faster.

[lph]

I will happily wear tightfitting lycra in all it's multicolour glory riding to work, past my co-workers up in my office, in stores, at the hairdressers, to a dr.s appointment, to my son(poor guy)'s school to see the teacher, or to the movies... Most times I even forget to take my helmet off.

But: come vacation time and we head for someplace laid back, and bring our bikes, I feel selfconscious as all get-out in lycra. I always bring it, but end up wearing it under baggy pants, with a plain wool top. Something about not wanting to look exercise-y and stressed citygirl-like...