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