How much is too much skin?

**WindingRoad** · 07-19-2009, 08:02 AM

I'm curious to get your opinions about what is appropriate cycling attire. I am pretty conservative in how I dress myself so maybe I'm just thinking a bit prudish on this topic? I try to keep as much of myself covered as possible when riding. One reason is, well lets face it, most of us ride with primarily men and I don't want to be sharing my goods with guys I don't know. I had a guy grab my butt on a ride once attempting to "give me a boost" and I wasn't at all comfortable with that. I ask this because I saw a woman at a ride yesterday that was to me very exposed for a ride that started while it was 58 degrees? I was thinking about it over the next 160 miles and maybe it was just exhaustion but it seemed totally inappropriate?

**tulip** · 07-19-2009, 08:26 AM

Everyone has different standards. I wear jerseys with sleeves for sun protection and crash protection. I'm not one to go out in a bra (I think it's just plain tacky) but if some people do, that's their choice. If someone bothers you on a ride, tell them to get lost.

**Biciclista** · 07-19-2009, 08:28 AM

welll, since you aren't going into specifics, it's hard to answer. I think almost anything goes any more. I think there are bra tops that would be fine really as a top, if you don't mind sunburn and road rash.
I've seen enough guys with transparent backsides on their shorts

for me personally, short sleeve jerseys and shorts are my limits; but I've seen plenty of young gals showing a lot more skin and it does not bother me (unless i start thinking of wrecks!!)

Some guys will be inappropriate even if you wear a burka

**jobob** · 07-19-2009, 08:31 AM

Not sure what you're getting at here

Are you talking about "too much skin" in the upper half - chest, cleavage, arms? -- or in the legs?

Or are you talking about form-fitting lycra shorts?

There are a lot of ways you can cover yourself up while cycling, what is appropriate is what you're comfortable with.

Check out the TE online catalog for things like boleros and wrap skirts.

Originally Posted by WindingRoad

I ask this because I saw a woman at a ride yesterday that was to me very exposed for a ride that started while it was 58 degrees? I was thinking about it over the next 160 miles and maybe it was just exhaustion but it seemed totally inappropriate?

Why exactly did you think that woman was over-exposed? Did you feel she was dressed inappropriately for the weather, or otherwise?

Sorry, I'm a crummy mind-reader...

**WindingRoad** · 07-19-2009, 08:42 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, 09:15 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, 09:29 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, 10:03 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, 10:06 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, 10:39 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, 10:54 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, 11:03 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, 11:06 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..

**jobob** · 07-19-2009, 11:28 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, 02:19 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.

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