"Hot Pants"

[kjay]

While browsing through the bikingbis web site, I read about a reference to a guy whose biking shorts caught on fire. Hope it's okay to quote it here:

Hot pants

Polish police are baffled after a cyclist was badly burned when his trousers burst into flames.

Mieczyslaw Jasinski, 55, told doctors he smelt burning and looked down to see his trousers had caught fire.

He jumped off his bike and rolled on the ground trying to douse the flames but suffered second degree burns to his legs, back and stomach.

Passers-by spotted him lying at the side of the road in Koroszczyn, still smoking from the tattered remains of his trousers and groaning in pain.

A police spokesman said: "Witnesses said he was like a flaming human torch cycling along the road.

"We do not know how it happened but we have heard that it could have been caused by a reaction between friction as he cycled, sweat and the material of his trousers."

[taken from Ananova site]

[KnottedYet]

I'd be inclined to think maybe a passing motorist tossed a cigarette butt that smoldered a while before catching. Can't quite believe leg motion friction would generate that much heat.

(wool "trousers" wouldn't have been so flammable. Someone get that guy some Ibex bike shorts!)

[smilingcat]

Not quite I had in mind about hot pants. Bu it does bring new meaning. ouch!!

Maybe he was drinking high proof booze like vodka and he spilled it on his pants. Followed by embers from cigarette...

poor guy.

[Zen]

Or maybe it had something to do with that butane lighter in his pocket

[sundial]

Someone get that guy some Ibex bike shorts!)

Knot, how well do wool bike shorts stand up to wear and tear? I've fallen and my PI's had nary a tear, but I got one heckuva road rash.

[HillSlugger]

Sounds like something from the Weekly World News. I don't believe it.

[shewhobikes]

There have been times I'd have sworn my shorts were on fire, riding in the July heat. Friction: It ain't your friend. Thank goodness for chamois butter.

[KnottedYet]

Knot, how well do wool bike shorts stand up to wear and tear? I've fallen and my PI's had nary a tear, but I got one heckuva road rash.

I've got one pair of Ibex El Fito capris. They are about 2 years old now and going strong. They get washed after every ride. Fell in them once during a bike skills class, no rips or anything.