Commando, undies and cycling the commuters guide.

DonDaddyD

Ok hear me out. I'm going to try and keep this a clean as possible...

Why do people cycle without undies when they are wearing cycle shorts? I've tried both and am not bothered by either, if anything I'm a little warmer wearing undies but usually rock the commando.

Anywho. I've never needed to pack undies so religously before, I'm usually wearing the ones I need for the day at work - except when I cycle. So yet again I've forgotten to pack undies. I'm not wearing my cycle shorts under my work trousers because I've been told this is a big no, why? So have had to go commando.

Anyway there seems to be unwritten rules of underwear and commuting/cycling such as crotch rot (what is that?) so hopefully this can be a mature do's and don't's of underwear and cycling and if should/can wear underwear and cycle, advice on which ones to buy.

By undies I mean, pants, bra's, socks, vests (underwear garments).

Questions that plague me:

What do you do when you've forgotten to pack your undies?

Packing the bag for the commute to work do you do anything specific to remember to pack undies?

Do you keep spare (clean) undies at work?

spen666

personal hygenie

biondino

Anything with a seam in an area which moves will start chafing after a few miles and once it's chafed it's chafed. Hence cycling shorts and tights are designed for use without underwear.

(also, for the vain among us, you get mega-VPL when you try and wear pants under lycra)

cee

I have never had any issues with the aforementioned crotch rot, but find it more comfortable not wearing anything under my lycra shorts.

I have spare pants and socks at work, just in case, but usually remember to bring clean ones every day.

As far as wearing lycra under my suit...(keep 3 at work, along with 5 shirts, which get drycleaned, laundered and pressed at a shop 2 minutes down the road....), I have padded lycras, which don't feel so comfortable under a suit. Not sure if the pad shapre is visible or not....maybe i am being a little self conscious.

Failing all of that.....go go co mman do!

Clever Pun

I've forgotten my boxers once... I went commando... what other choice is there? But I guess you have to be very careful about the turtles head

it's forgetting socks that annoys me as you look like an utter gimp

clanton

Clever Pun wrote:

I've forgotten my boxers once... I went commando... what other choice is there? But I guess you have to be very careful about the turtles head

it's forgetting socks that annoys me as you look like an utter gimp

Lol! Have forgotten both boxers and socks on seperate occasions. Luckily I had dark Endura cycling socks so wore those, and yup went commando raher than lycra under trousers!

salsarider79

I like wearing some thermal pants on my commute. As a bus driver I often start at 6am, so am leaving home at 5am. I 'm skinny as a rake and so get cold very easily. Any warmth I can have is well recieved. I've heard someone talking about this subject, use the term Tesco Value Prawn before...
As for clean pants, etc. I take a backpack with me with everything in I need. I know about the VPL, but my Mum said my shorts are almost see-through. Not sure which is worse :oops:
As for why you cannot wear your cycling shorts underneath your suit, think about it. When you finish a ride you don't keep the shorts on, you take them off and leave them to dry or wash them. Why would you want to have your *parts* in such a sweaty enviroment all day?

p.s. I for one can't wait for summer. I can wear just my lycra shorts and top and not be so bloody freezing all the time!

singlespeedexplosif

easiest thing is to keep one spare of everything under your desk. Including shirt and trousers. Forgetting undies or socks no big deal. Forgetting a shirt and facing the prospect of sitting in a dirty wet stinking cycling top for the day? not good

il_principe

DonDaddyD wrote:

Ok hear me out. I'm going to try and keep this a clean as possible...

Why do people cycle without undies when they are wearing cycle shorts? I've tried both and am not bothered by either, if anything I'm a little warmer wearing undies but usually rock the commando.

Try riding 100k with undies under your lycra - bet you'll soon see why it's not the done thing.

cee

maybe the point is though that most of us don't have a 100k commute.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Cotton (I'm assuming you're not a wearer of silk on the the bike) will not-so-slowly grind your under-areas into mincemeat. And I don't mean the Xmas pie variety . :shock:

Wearing your shorts under civvies will (a) incubate some germ warfare pathogens, and (b) make you look like your nappy needs changing. Neither of those are big hits with the lay-deez, so I'm told.

What do you do when you've forgotten to pack your undies?

Swear a lot. Then pray that there's a pair left in the store I keep at work for such occasions. If there isn't, revert to swearing a lot. Think about making a pair from some A4 and a few staples. Think better of that idea. Look at the roll of sellotape. Can the paper undies completely. Go commando. Think about buying some new ones during the day. Realise that going commando is OK, so scratch the new undies idea. Tell everyone about my "funny day". Fail to notice people are looking nervy and backing away. Get arrested. Give a false name. Ring a mate to bail me out of the police station. Remember not to forget undies again.

Packing the bag for the commute to work do you do anything specific to remember to pack undies?

Remember the shame of being arrrested.

Do you keep spare (clean) undies at work?

See above. It definitely works best if they are clean. You're thinking on the right lines, and no mistaking.

iain_j

I've only forgotten the essentials once or twice, but my commute is only 3.5 miles so it's no big deal to turn round and go back (a pain in the a**e though). I've trained myself to remember to pack them in the pannier just as naturally as putting them on in the first place on a non-cycling morning.

linsen

going commando not such a problem for some of us.....

DonDaddyD

I fear getting or incubating any germs in the "piston room" of my cycling body. Its hallowed ground, having been worshipped upon by a lucky chosen few... So I go commando when cycling to maintain its divinity but never really thought about what germs could breed that couldn't while I was just wearing the cycle shorts.

I actually forget to pack underwear most days a week now. Either I subconciously like going commando... "Oooo look at me Matron..." or I'm forgetful.

SO I think I'm going to create a secret spare undies store in the office.

il_principe

DonDaddyD wrote:

SO I think I'm going to create a secret spare undies store in the office.

Hope no one stumbles upon said store by accident...

always_tyred

DonDaddyD wrote:

I fear getting or incubating any germs in the "piston room" of my cycling body. Its hallowed ground, worshipped upon by a lucky chosen few...

I actually forget to pack underwear most days a week now. Either I subconciously like going commando... "Oooo look at me Matron..." or I'm forgetful.

SO I think I'm going to create a secret spare undies store in the office.

You are having a Homer Simpson day.

There's just no need for pants under cycling shorts, its like wearing pants under swimming trunks - you can do it, but its not quite what Nike had in mind....

I'm staggered that you don't feel unfomfortable with pants under the cycling shorts though. There's no sensation down there! - your saddle needs adjusting or you'll never have children.

I digress.

Commando till a visit to Pants4u at lunchtime, for me.

batch78

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinea_cruris

Thats what'll happen ^^^^^^^

What they don't tell you is the next stage of infection, now thats really nasty!!!!!! :twisted:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=knob+rot

DonDaddyD

jashburnham wrote:

DonDaddyD wrote:

SO I think I'm going to create a secret spare undies store in the office.

Hope no one stumbles upon said store by accident...

This is a worry! I think I'll tell my manager to cover my back...

going commando not such a problem for some of us.....

Stop talking dirty!

Actually I thought commando was more complicated for girls... (I'm leaving that one there).

lost_in_thought

Undies under lycra = a really big no-no.

In fact, if I'm out and about after work for dinner/drinks and have trousers/shorts on, undies under those also = a big no-no for the cycle home if I can't be bothered to change.

If, however, you're wearing a skirt, forgetting undies is a bit more of an issue. Which is why I usually have a few spares in my desk, or equally why I am glad that M&S opens at 9.

blackworx

Swear a lot, go commando and hope no one notices. Make mental note to have spare undies stashed in as many places as possible.

Next day, outside supermarket, hurriedly stuff avalanche of undies back in bag after rummaging for bike lock which has yet again worked its way to bottom of said bag.

woodyonthebeach

going commando is great. When I work from home tend to be naked sitting at my desk. Something satisfying knowing that everybody you speak to in the office has a dress code.

Always go commando under the lycra. Some much more comfortable.

Women have it easy ;-)

DonDaddyD

lost_in_thought wrote:

Undies under lycra = a really big no-no.

In fact, if I'm out and about after work for dinner/drinks and have trousers/shorts on, undies under those also = a big no-no for the cycle home if I can't be bothered to change.

If, however, you're wearing a skirt, forgetting undies is a bit more of an issue. Which is why I usually have a few spares in my desk, or equally why I am glad that M&S opens at 9.

Can you hear that... Its the sound of Don_Don's heart exploding....

Clever Pun

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

easiest thing is to keep one spare of everything under your desk. Including shirt and trousers. Forgetting undies or socks no big deal. Forgetting a shirt and facing the prospect of sitting in a dirty wet stinking cycling top for the day? not good

I'd have to buy a new shirt and wear it

blackworx

Clever Pun wrote:

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

easiest thing is to keep one spare of everything under your desk. Including shirt and trousers. Forgetting undies or socks no big deal. Forgetting a shirt and facing the prospect of sitting in a dirty wet stinking cycling top for the day? not good

I'd have to buy a new shirt and wear it

I rotate them and take each one home the day after wearing it. That way in case of incompetence/emergency/hangover the next day I'll still have one (hopefully not smelly) shirt handy.

itboffin

Not really a problem if I forget mine seeing as I usually don't wear any :shock:
unless the weather is very cold or the trousers are unsuitable for covert action, such as thin or very slightly see through material.

I had an embarrassing incident a couple of months ago whilst at work, as I was leaving the office one evening (v late) I popped to the gents on the way out only to have the zipper from my flies pings off into the toilet, the journey home on the tube followed by the train was traumatic to say the least. :oops:

I now include a needle and thread plus safety pins on my travels.

PS. I keep a full weeks (7 days) clothes -pants in the office, including different coloured socks, shoes and matching belts. :roll:

Jen J

I commute in work clothes, but wouldn't ever wear anything under cycling shorts.

However I swim before work, and so wear just my swimsuit and trousers (and jacket if cold) for the bike to the gym, and have on occasion, forgotten to pack underwear. Forgotten knickers can be overcome, but a forgotten bra? Doesn't really work. Luckily my office is only a mile from home, can can pop back if necessary to collect any forgotten stuff...;)

itboffin

Jen J wrote:

I commute in work clothes, but wouldn't ever wear anything under cycling shorts.

However I swim before work, and so wear just my swimsuit and trousers (and jacket if cold) for the bike to the gym, and have on occasion, forgotten to pack underwear. Forgotten knickers can be overcome, but a forgotten bra? Doesn't really work. Luckily my office is only a mile from home, can can pop back if necessary to collect any forgotten stuff...;)

Have you considered running with the bike shouldered cross style whilst wearing a skinsuit :P

Oh! yes welcome back, it's been very cold 'n icy and that's just the forum :P :P

lost_in_thought

Jen J wrote:

I commute in work clothes, but wouldn't ever wear anything under cycling shorts.

However I swim before work, and so wear just my swimsuit and trousers (and jacket if cold) for the bike to the gym, and have on occasion, forgotten to pack underwear. Forgotten knickers can be overcome, but a forgotten bra? Doesn't really work. Luckily my office is only a mile from home, can can pop back if necessary to collect any forgotten stuff...;)

Yeah, that would be an issue if all you've got is a cossie. A sports bra, although not very comfortable, can be worn in place of a normal one, unless you're wearing a white shirt.

Jen J

itboffin wrote:

Have you considered running with the bike shouldered cross style whilst wearing a skinsuit :P

No. I haven't.

DonDaddyD

Jen J wrote:

I commute in work clothes, but wouldn't ever wear anything under cycling shorts.

However I swim before work, and so wear just my swimsuit and trousers (and jacket if cold) for the bike to the gym, and have on occasion, forgotten to pack underwear. Forgotten knickers can be overcome, but a forgotten bra? Doesn't really work. Luckily my office is only a mile from home, can can pop back if necessary to collect any forgotten stuff...;)

Surely that's psychological more than anything else.

Women wouldn't have evolved the breasts (in the way that they are) if only to require a bra to support them.

Jen J

DonDaddyD wrote:

Jen J wrote:

I commute in work clothes, but wouldn't ever wear anything under cycling shorts.

However I swim before work, and so wear just my swimsuit and trousers (and jacket if cold) for the bike to the gym, and have on occasion, forgotten to pack underwear. Forgotten knickers can be overcome, but a forgotten bra? Doesn't really work. Luckily my office is only a mile from home, can can pop back if necessary to collect any forgotten stuff...;)

Surely that's psychological more than anything else.

Women wouldn't have evolved the breasts (in the way that they are) if only to require a bra to support them.

It's less to do with the supportive qualities - more the fact that it would look a little, ahem, *wrong*...;)