Lycra shorts...don't you feel self-conscious?

mazcp

Am I a prude or what? I wore lycra shorts once (and only once) for my commute recently. Felt like I was parading around in my pants. Walked my daughter to school (then cycle to work from there) and wished the ground would swallow me up. Has anyone else felt these pangs?! Is this some sort of rites of passage?

I only ever wear them under baggies now.

domtyler

mazcp wrote:

Am I a prude or what? I wore lycra shorts once (and only once) for my commute recently. Felt like I was parading around in my pants. Walked my daughter to school (then cycle to work from there) and wished the ground would swallow me up. Has anyone else felt these pangs?! Is this some sort of rites of passage?

I only ever wear them under baggies now. No wonder they're described as 'cycling/fetish' when you see them on eBay.

Are you challenged in certain areas of your anatomy Maz? If so this could lead to the feelings you have been experiencing.

Seriously, I think everyone had to go through this stage, especially walking into a new office for the first time in full on Lycra. In time, you and anyone who sees you will just get used to it. It may be slightly easier where I am due to large numbers of other cyclists/runners walking in and out of the office.
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ALASKA MEDICAL MARIJUANA

BentMikey

Hahahaha! You'll get over it mate, lycra is so much better than normal clothing when it comes to longer commutes, higher intensity efforts, etc.

twowheeledwriter

Remember Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap? If so, then I can recommend a cucumber to compensate for any "deficiencies" in the trouser department.

But, yes, you have to get over the initial embarassment. After that, you'll realise that you can walk around in tight pink lyrca and no-one will notice you - just the same as happens on the road. It's a bit like wearing the key round your neck in Doctor Who.

arranandy

I used to be a bit self consious when I was wearing lycra shorts etc. but you get over it. Now I don't give it a second thought although my wife sometimes passes comment about it

graeme_s-2

I just see it as the right tool for the job. I have had a few raised eyebrows and odd moments. I once forgot I had a 9am meeting and had to go to it pre-shower in lycra. That got a few comments, but I just respond with humour "Oh... nobody else got the memo saying we had to wear lycra to this then?" and laugh it off.

I was getting milk from the fridge in a female colleague's office yesterday morning when another female colleague came in and commented on my attire (I tend to have breakfast and do a bit of work before I go for my shower). The woman whose office it was said she doesn't even notice any more. It cut me real deep!

mrchrispy

not a problem with shorts - is the belly sticking out over the top that makes me uncomfortable

mazcp

domtyler wrote:

Are you challenged in certain areas of your anatomy Maz? If so this could lead to the feelings you have been experiencing.

How VERY dare you!

...and why don't these

things work? Bring back the C+ forum!

el_presidente

mazcp wrote:

domtyler wrote:

Are you challenged in certain areas of your anatomy Maz? If so this could lead to the feelings you have been experiencing.

How VERY dare you!

...and why don't these

things work? Bring back the C+ forum!

They haven't enabled the BB code. I dunno who tested this thing... :roll:

graeme_s-2

el_presidente wrote:

They haven't enabled the BB code. I dunno who tested this thing... :roll:

It worked when we first got here... then it stopped working. I'm guessing they'll turn it back on again sooner or later.

Tartanyak

The quotes thing is bloody annoying, isn't it?

As for lycra... It's baggies or board shorts for me. Board shorts tend to be better given the weather. Mmmmmmm, wet.

Following lycra shorts up a steep hill means a view Man Was Not Meant To See

Drfabulous0

You are just being self conscious, no-one really cares, if they see you waking around in lycra they will just presume you have your bike with you. And although MTBers like to take the piss out of roadies on here for their lycra we all own a set for those long rides.

AndyGates

Aye, tool for the job. If you want to stare at my knackers, feel free, but I charge after the first five minutes*. Lycra's effortlessly free-moving and lets you cool down fast, meaning you can work faster. Plus, we got these great muscly legs, seems a shame to hide 'em.

* Great value compared to a comedy club.

Fab Foodie

mazcp wrote:

Am I a prude or what? I wore lycra shorts once (and only once) for my commute recently. Felt like I was parading around in my pants. Walked my daughter to school (then cycle to work from there) and wished the ground would swallow me up. Has anyone else felt these pangs?! Is this some sort of rites of passage?

I only ever wear them under baggies now.

Just learn to strut like Freddie Mercury...then it all starts to seem natural!

peterbr

Really, nobody really cares. It's all in your mind. Before cycling did you really look and point at anyone else?

I'm 6'2" and 15 stone, I wouldn't wear anything else. I ride, commute and shop in it. Nothing else is as comfortable for riding a bike and putting on shorts over the top which just get wet, flappy and unpleasant simply stop lycra working properly whether it be wicking of sweat or remaining comfortable in the wet.

BentMikey

mrchrispy wrote:

not a problem with shorts - is the belly sticking out over the top that makes me uncomfortable

Bibshorts help a little with that. And more cycling of course!

Urban Roadie

I tend to put a pair of jeans over the top when dropping the girls at nursery, lycra only, caused a bit of a stir the one time I did it.

The bike's on the back of the car at that point so it's not a problem as I've got to change shoes anyway when I ditch the car later.

dondare

I'll wear lycra pretty much anywhere except my own children's schools.

mazcp

I concur with the above 2 comments...lycra just 'aint right for doing the school run. Defo!

mrchrispy

I don’t mind dropping the little lad off at nursery, as long as I can keep it sucked in I know the yummy mummies appreciate my manly legs 8)

domtyler

"dropping the little lad off at nursery"

Hmmm... is it just me or does that sound like a 'yoof'emism?

Maz, sorry mate, didn't mean to insinuate that you were more chipolata than salami but, well if the peaked cycling cap fits!!
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Weed

joebe

I'm well known in the playgound at my daughter's school, I'm sure it puts a smile on the face of all the mums............ :shock:

mazcp

joebe wrote:

I'm well known in the playgound at my daughter's school...

You should be...you're the Deputy Head.

Hairy Jock

Hey if you have got the legs for it flaunt them! If you cycle regularly the chances are you will have the legs for it.

Must admit the first time I wore lycra shorts I felt a wee bit self concious, but I soon got over it.

newsace

"Following lycra shorts up a steep hill means a view Man Was Not Meant To See"

Actually, I find that following lycra shorts (at least those encasing a woman's derriere) up a steep hill is exactly the view that makes it worth riding.

bluestocking

"Actually, I find that following lycra shorts (at least those encasing a woman's derriere) up a steep hill is exactly the view that makes it worth riding."

...and oddly enough, I always wear a skirt over my shorts.

jedster

I don't mind wearing lycra on the bike but I feel a bit of a pratt wearing it for the train leg in my bike-train-bike commute... I just feel that other passengers didnt ask to have my meat and two veg at their eye-level when I'm standing in the train.

I mostly wear rapha fixed shorts which were expensive but have been well worth the money - very hard wearing, look fine, comfortable and deal pretty well with the wet.