Do I -have- to wear those silly shorts?

[run it, ride it]

As a former wannabe dressage rider, I think i can help you. Riding a bike
you actually use different muscles, you don't want to stretch the insides of your leg, you want to have as much power in your strokes as possible.
Your sit bones should be to the rear of the saddle and you should not have to move your butt to pedal at all.
We dont know what kind of saddle you are sitting on, but chances are it would be better used as a book end. Lord knows how many seats we have shredded on this forum. The seat might not be right for you.
your HEELS should be down, not your toes. if your heels aren't down, you need to lower the saddle. the saddle should be as close as horizontal as you can stand it too.

Please read the favorite saddle posts for more info.
Why on earth are you wearing a thong?
if you don't like the spandex shorts, there are lots of other kinds to wear that
will also protect you. I have some blousy ones and some gals wear skorts.
good luck. I am glad you are still riding your horse.

The Dressage transition explaination made a lot of sense to me (if no one else); thank you! I'm wearing a thong because I have no butt and normal underwear just will not stay. And don't get me wrong--I wouldn't have anything BUT spandex! My non-existant butt makes anything else look baggy!

And yes, I'll ride that horse as long as the vet clears him! Nine years and counting. He's an old arthritic man now but still in the best shape of his life--jumping for the first time in years. Couldn't sell him if I wanted to!
(photos, since I heard rumour of horse people in this thread.) http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Sahs/?start=20

[fatbottomedgurl]

I would mention the Sugoi Evolution short has a fairly low rise-- hits me below the naval... but my derriere is certainely NOT non-existent, so my experience may not count. I love the Ricaro chamois in them. PI sugar knickers/ shorts ar low rise but the chamois is daiper-buttish.

PS I am a thong girl too for panty-line purposes but the thought of a thong on a bike...OUCH

[Nanci]

I tried to get into the thong thing, because they were trendy and looked cute on the Victoria Secret models. My French ex BF (yes, the same one who didn't understand why it was so funny/insulting when he told me I smelled like tuna [after eating it]) said I looked like a sumo wrestler...I don't think he meant it in a bad way, but now thongs and Sumo wrestlers are inseparably linked in my mind...

The hop measurement is when you measure around the widest portion of your bitt.

(Sorry- my nails are getting too long...)

I think bike shorts are trending toward a lower rise, which is good for us short people!!

I love the rise of the Sugoi RS Flexes, BTW. About one inch below my belly button.

Trashy Cats are nicely low rise, and don't go halfway up your back, either. Good luck finding any though.

[pooks]

And if you're not short torso, are the jerseys long enough to cover low rise waists, esp in back?

[annie]

I recently bought a pair of Loius Garneau shorts. I love them! They are the shortest shorts I have ever found; they are low-rise; and the pad is cushy. I thought it might be too thick, but its very comfortable while riding. I just checked the tag inside the shorts, tho', and it doesn't say which short they are. So I can't tell anyone looking for shorter shorts which particular LG short to look for. But I can tell you they're out there! They weren't cheap, $90, if I remember right, at LBS. I was lucky and had a 20% off coupon. I will be buying another pair soon, before they change the style. Mine are black. I think they came in a light blue, also? Yikes! Very pretty color but I can't imagine being seen in them. Or what they'd look like, full of sweat, road dirt, and probably hand prints.

annie

[chickwhorips]

Or what they'd look like, full of sweat, road dirt, and probably hand prints.

ya light blue might not be so pretty at the end of the day.

but now are those your hand prints or are you just that popular out riding?

[Diggles]

i have to admit that after the bit i just handed over for my bike & helmet, there was nothing left for such luxuries as shorts! i'm not a fan of shorts, period. But running in the summer requires it so I've just been wearing those.

I found the shorty shorts for anyone interested though. I think I'd be more inclined to wear these than the longer ones I've seen. I don't like my legs but if I'm gonna do it...I'm gonna just do it.

Shorty Shorts Clicky