licra too lady-like!!
mark145max
Posts: 28
Just getting into cycling but can't figure out what to wear that doesn't look rediculous(on me anyway) my wife will not let me go out in licra as she says I would be picked up (not in that sense) by the police and locked up for indecent exposure. Has anyone got any ideas please?
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Tell her wearing uncomfortable gear for fashion \ looks, over practicality and comfort is traditionally the preserve of women.
In all honesty it does just make that much difference cycling that I got over my lycra phobia to make my cycling more comfortable \ easier \ more enjoyable. Ive came to accept the fact that no matter what you wear on a bike you arent going to look "normal" lets face it by time youve got your helmet and glasses on whos going to recognise you anyway
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1. you won't get nicked
2. you'll both get used to the idea
3. if you really want an alternative, try a pair of baggy shorts with padded undies. You can buy them as a package or separately.
Cheers,
Rog.0 -
just got myself some shorts recently - the wrestling stylie ones which have the shoulder straps. my god they are so comfy, i don't know what i was doing before.Your'e never alone with schizophrenia.0
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I occasionally wear the roadie uniform, but mostly I go with a normal t-shirt and baggies with padded shorts underneath for longer journeys.
What's always amusing is seeing the difference in reaction from other cyclists - there are roadies who'll wave to me every time in lycra that totally blank me in baggies, and a few on MTBs who do it the other way round...Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.0 -
mark145max wrote:Just getting into cycling but can't figure out what to wear that doesn't look rediculous(on me anyway) my wife will not let me go out in licra as she says I would be picked up (not in that sense) by the police and locked up for indecent exposure. Has anyone got any ideas please?
You will feel so much more comfortable if you wear proper cycling kit.
The Victorians used to go swimming in voluminous garments, and would have been horrified by modern swimwear. No one would mow argue that swimming trunks are inappropriate for swimming, just because they differ from everyday clothes.
If you are going cycling wear cycling kit! If your wife objects, start suggesting that you are going to shave your legs!
Just going out in lycra will then be seen as a compromise.0 -
Just thank her for the compliment and remind her that a little lycra obscenity in public is a small price to pay for her loving, well-hung husband's comfort
Seriously, lycra shorts a pretty much essential but there's nothing wrong with wearing something over the top (like 'baggy' mtb shorts or somthing). However, if you're not stopping off anywhere (other than a pub or cafe), then the only public situation is a bloke out on his bike!0 -
It's a context issue - sure you may look a little odd stood in the kitchen / in the pub / queue at Asda in full lycra but once you're on the bike it's fine!0
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CHRISNOIR wrote:It's a context issue - sure you may look a little odd stood in the kitchen / in the pub / queue at Asda in full lycra but once you're on the bike it's fine!
Yep, thats very true. Once on the bike it doesn't look odd at all, and you choose neutral or dark colours no one will look twice at you. I started off wearing baggies over my lycra but after a while just took the plunge and never looked back. Could be an idea for you though, some light acrylic footy shorts or something over the top and ditch them when you get your confidence.0 -
I always feel kinda stupid in my lycra before I get on my bike (and maybe the first 5 mins after getting on it) thanks to my mum pointing out that I walk funny etc lol, but once i'm cycling I tend to forget about what i'm wearing. Also when I get off the bike after my cycle, I really couldn't care less about what i'm wearing due to me being chuffed about my cycle and also due to being shattered lol.
You should just take the plunge and see how u feel lol.0 -
I sit on the Edinburgh - Glasgow train most days in full lycra. No one has ever tried to pick me up / arrest me. Just get on with it.0
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Used to be a guy in our racing club that raced in MTB baggies. Did very well with
them. He did eventually switch to lycra. And, just recently, started to shave his legs.
I guess you could say "it all comes with time".
Dennis Noward0 -
Just go for it.
Who knows, you may be faster as you're trying not to be seen?0 -
If you are feeling self-conscious, black lycra is best for the shorts and get a shirt with dark side panels. Somehow, you look less like monsieur michelin, that way.
I just wish someone would style a cycling jersey in such a way as to completely disguise the full horror of a beer belly!0 -
Though if you do take the plunge, you'll have to accept that you'll only ever look good to other cyclists - even if you're decked out in the finest Assos or Rapha gear.
As my wife always says (rather bluntly to my mind): those girls aren't looking at you on your bike because they think you're cool dear...
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I should really add my little story in. My other half was taking the micky last weekend asking if i was going out in just my lycra (it's been too cold recently not to wear my touring style shorts over my bib-tights), and I was for the first time on a decent length run. "How was it?" she asked. "women look at you and smile" was all I could say.0
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Can I just add something here, as an MTBer?
I couldn't care less whether or not you wear lycra, but you DO look ridiculous covered in sponsor’s logos. (unless you actually are a sponsored rider, naturally)
Seriously, I can't help but laugh when I see a cycling poster-board
Keep it sensible colours people. Honestly.0 -
yeehaamcgee wrote:Can I just add something here, as an MTBer?
I couldn't care less whether or not you wear lycra, but you DO look ridiculous covered in sponsor’s logos. (unless you actually are a sponsored rider, naturally)
Seriously, I can't help but laugh when I see a cycling poster-board
Keep it sensible colours people. Honestly.
Move along, move along. Mountain Biking just to the right of Road now please Sir.
I break my heart laughing at all the foortball supporters wearing jerseys of their teams with their sponsorship on it*.
No, confidence come with time. The next big step is when you cycle to the office in all your lycra. That's uber confidence.
* this is sarcasmEvery winner has scars.0 -
gavintc wrote:I sit on the Edinburgh - Glasgow train most days in full lycra. No one has ever tried to pick me up / arrest me. Just get on with it.
Hope you actually do some cycling during that journey as wearing lycra just to get on a train is just plain weird!!! Current steed is a '07 Carrera Banshee X
+ cheap road/commuting bike0 -
Actually, I do find that hilarious, and just as sad.HungryCol wrote:I break my heart laughing at all the foortball supporters wearing jerseys of their teams with their sponsorship on it.
It's all context. Just because you do something doesn't make it sensible, no matter how much you want it to. I bet you laugh at all the guys in subaru imprezzas with full sticker-kits, including driver names on the windows? Same thing.0 -
Dude, I hate having logos on my bike, nevermind my clothes! Team kit is all bloody ugly in my eyes. Or maybe I've just not been fully indoctrinated!0
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Graham G wrote:Dude, I hate having logos on my bike, nevermind my clothes! Team kit is all bloody ugly in my eyes. Or maybe I've just not been fully indoctrinated!
You really do need more training to see the wisdom and pupose of colorful team kits.
How else do you expect bike clothing companies to get richer??
Dennis Noward0 -
I think the whole lycra thing is in the mind. Just look at the stupid things people wear in the name of fashion. A couple of years ago it was ponchos. You couldn't walk 10 metres without seeing a woman with one one. Shorty after it was gilets. Then there were all the completely stupid hair styles inspired by Mr Beckham. For me fashion is about getting someone to wear something so ridiculous that they wouldn't dare go near it when it is no-longer in fashion. So any time someone makes a comment about lycra make a comment about something they wore in the name of fashion, and then ask them if they would be wearing it every day if it was the current "in fashion" clothing. They may say no, but they will know in the back of their mind that the answer would be yes.0
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Just get on with it man
Get into the lycra and as a good friend of mine would say "Man up wet pants"
COVEC0 -
When wearing padded lycra shorts do i need underwear? as ive just got some and need to try them on the road..
also whats better shorts or short/bib?0 -
wideboy wrote:When wearing padded lycra shorts do i need underwear? as ive just got some and need to try them on the road..
also whats better shorts or short/bib?
No way! Lycra shorts should be treated in the same way as a Scotsman's kilt in this respect.
Also, having just got my first pair of bib shorts last week - after 8 years of being properly back on the bike - I can say with confidence that they are totally superior. 10 x more comfortable and slimming to boot!0 -
Going commando in lycra!! If I was worried about indecent exposure I certainly am now! I think I may have to:No way! Lycra shorts should be treated in the same way as a Scotsman's kilt in this respect.
Also, having just got my first pair of bib shorts last week - after 8 years of being properly back on the bike - I can say with confidence that they are totally superior. 10 x more comfortable and slimming to boot
Neil--
"Because the cycling is pain. The cycling is soul crushing pain."0 -
mark145max wrote:
Going commando in lycra!! If I was worried about indecent exposure I certainly am now! I think I may have to:No way! Lycra shorts should be treated in the same way as a Scotsman's kilt in this respect.
Also, having just got my first pair of bib shorts last week - after 8 years of being properly back on the bike - I can say with confidence that they are totally superior. 10 x more comfortable and slimming to boot
Decent padded shorts will preserve your modesty and allow a more comfortable on the saddle north south orientation without embarasement. Unlike our polish friends who get dragged up regularly on this topic You also dont need your top to be skin tight, you can get a wicking base layer and cycle specific t-shirt which looks a little better and performs FAR FAR better than a plain t-shirt. 0 -
Make sure you buy a pair with a good dark coloured gusset though to avoid the embarrassment of 'gold watches'.
Eeeeee. Can't believe I just typed that...0 -
So far i still wear baggies with a padded lycra inner.
I know when im on the bike it makes no difference but when i'm off my bike it looks like a camels hoof is stuck down there :shock:0
