Underwear under tights?

"Chris C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I bought some tights w/out padding . Is underwear usually worn underneath
(I
know not to wear cotton) these? What about if they have padding? Where can
I
get a good deal on underwear? Thanks

If you wear padded anything, the pad goes next to the skin.

Usually under plain tights you'd wear bike shorts.

Wear underwear only under street clothes.

RichC

Rich Clark said:

"Chris C" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I bought some tights w/out padding . Is underwear usually worn underneath
(I
know not to wear cotton) these? What about if they have padding? Where can
I
get a good deal on underwear? Thanks

If you wear padded anything, the pad goes next to the skin.

Usually under plain tights you'd wear bike shorts.

Wear underwear only under street clothes.

RichC

Just to clarify. When you wear bike shorts with real chamois, you usually
apply a substance called 'chamois cream' to this material, and then you put
on the bike shorts. It's completely obvious that you don't wear underwear
in this case, b/c you want contact with the cream and the chamois - just
like a join in a machine where you're matching dissimilar materials and
forming a compatible joint.

Here the 'join' is between your sit bones and the receiving platform, or
the saddle, and is mediated by a fleshy posterior on the chamois, all over
a lycra and leather sandwich. (Yummy!) ;-D

The friction of moving around on the saddle is then greatly reduced by the
cream, and saddle sores are less likely to prosper. You've lubed the join
just like you would the bearings in your BB.

If you're not riding long distances, a 'fake chamois' bike short may be of
use to you in a similar way, but minus the advanced saddle-sore protection.
Many recreational riders wear 'fake chamois' and don't even realize that
Lance slathers his tushie with gobs of this "stuff" like cold cream, and
then puts on the bike shorts - every morning. You can imagine the uh,
getting-used-to this 'cold ointment on a furry pad' takes. In the
Chronicles, you see him putting it on, and gasping humorously. Imagine
doing that every morning at 6 am.

In that case of only wearing shorts with 'fake chamois', it probably
doesn't matter if you're wearing underwear or not. That pad is just for
padding and performs little if any of the original friction reducing
function. Riding most distances under 25 miles will not give you saddle
sores unless you forget basic hygiene.

Some riders may put vaseline on their posterior, sparingly and still wear
the fake chamois from what I understand. ymmv

HTH,

-B
Note: I'm just a newbie, so some of the above may be totally wrong. For the
"real stuff", ask one of the regulars who does this...

Chris C said:

I bought some tights w/out padding . Is underwear usually worn
underneath (I know not to wear cotton) these? What about if they have
padding? Where can I get a good deal on underwear? Thanks

Most people just wear regular bike shorts underneath the tights. However,
bike shops DO sell padded "liners" (like tight boxer briefs) that would also
work; pads are pretty thin, though.

Bill "shop around" S.

Badger_South said:

In that case of only wearing shorts with 'fake chamois', it probably
doesn't matter if you're wearing underwear or not. That pad is just for
padding and performs little if any of the original friction reducing
function. Riding most distances under 25 miles will not give you saddle
sores unless you forget basic hygiene.

Disagree. You shouldn't wear underwear when wearing any padded shorts.

And having used both traditional chamois and what you call "fake," I'll take
the "fake" stuff any day. After a few washings the genuine chamois would dry
out, become stiff, and crack. The imitation chamois is more comfortable and
lasts much longer. It is far superior, just as modern jersey fabrics are
superior to wool.

As to the OPs question about tights, you should wear padded cycling shorts
(and nothing else) under them.

Art Harris

Arthur Harris said:

Badger_South said:

In that case of only wearing shorts with 'fake chamois', it probably
doesn't matter if you're wearing underwear or not. That pad is just for
padding and performs little if any of the original friction reducing
function. Riding most distances under 25 miles will not give you saddle
sores unless you forget basic hygiene.

Disagree. You shouldn't wear underwear when wearing any padded shorts.

Not really anything to disagree with, Art, I bow to your greater
experience. Note I said 'probably doesn't matter', but then I thought,
well, you don't want a problem with the seams in the underwear. But do you
think that many casual to intermediate female cyclists wear bike shorts and
nothing else? Guys, no problem. I just can't picture it, though some girls
don't like underwear at all I understand.

Quoted message said:

And having used both traditional chamois and what you call "fake," I'll take
the "fake" stuff any day. After a few washings the genuine chamois would dry
out, become stiff, and crack. The imitation chamois is more comfortable and
lasts much longer. It is far superior, just as modern jersey fabrics are
superior to wool.

Hmm, so you're saying you use chamois cream on the imitation chamois? Now
there are some shorts where the padding doesn't even look like chamois,
it's white and has gel in it. I've got another pair with a brown imitation
chamois, and I use some desitin, or some vaseline some times, but I
normally don't ride long enough yet to get saddle sores.

Quoted message said:

As to the OPs question about tights, you should wear padded cycling shorts
(and nothing else) under them.

Some ppl say tights with padding and cycling shorts, unpadded over them,
iirc. (j/k)

And just don't fall down 20 miles from home and tear your tights and/or
shorts. You'll be riding home with lots of, uh ventilation. ;-D

Thanks, Art.

-B

Chris C said:

I bought some tights w/out padding . Is underwear usually worn underneath (I
know not to wear cotton) these? What about if they have padding? Where can I
get a good deal on underwear? Thanks

I wear cycling shorts under them to gain the benifit of the pading of
the cycling shorts. It is there to conform to your body to keep
evrything comfortable and sadle sore free
RAy

"Rich Clark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Wear underwear only under street clothes.

RichC

Why? Is underwear mandatory?

Badger_South said:

Hmm, so you're saying you use chamois cream on the imitation chamois? Now
there are some shorts where the padding doesn't even look like chamois,
it's white and has gel in it. I've got another pair with a brown imitation
chamois, and I use some desitin, or some vaseline some times, but I
normally don't ride long enough yet to get saddle sores.

The chamois cream of old was mainly to keep the "real" chamois from drying
out.

Some folks apply various ointments to their posterior with either type of
chamois to avoid irritation. I use a synthetic chamois without any creames
or ointments, and haven't had any problems even on centuries. Perhaps TdF
riders doing 100 miles a day for three weeks need the special ointments.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

As to the OPs question about tights, you should wear padded cycling shorts
(and nothing else) under them.

Some ppl say tights with padding and cycling shorts, unpadded over them,
iirc. (j/k)

The nice thing about unpadded tights over padded shorts is that if the
weather warms up, you can simply remore the tights.

Art Harris

Arthur Harris said:

Badger_South said:

Hmm, so you're saying you use chamois cream on the imitation chamois? Now
there are some shorts where the padding doesn't even look like chamois,
it's white and has gel in it. I've got another pair with a brown imitation
chamois, and I use some desitin, or some vaseline some times, but I
normally don't ride long enough yet to get saddle sores.

The chamois cream of old was mainly to keep the "real" chamois from drying
out.

Some folks apply various ointments to their posterior with either type of
chamois to avoid irritation. I use a synthetic chamois without any creames
or ointments, and haven't had any problems even on centuries. Perhaps TdF
riders doing 100 miles a day for three weeks need the special ointments.

OK, well, sorry to have brought this up again, b/c I believe there was just
a 'chamois' thread and tights over or under shorts thread only a couple
months ago. But it's appreciated.

Since there seem to be so many types of pad out there, I'll check out a
pair of top of the line shorts and see what that pad looks like. Maybe
Pearl Izumis. I have a Performance house brand.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

As to the OPs question about tights, you should wear padded cycling shorts
(and nothing else) under them.

Some ppl say tights with padding and cycling shorts, unpadded over them,
iirc. (j/k)

The nice thing about unpadded tights over padded shorts is that if the
weather warms up, you can simply remore the tights.

Art Harris

Of course, and thus best to have a pair that have zippers on the bottoms to
allow getting over your shoes, if I'm not mistaken. Thanks again! ;-)

-B

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

But do you
think that many casual to intermediate female cyclists wear bike shorts

and

Quoted message said:

nothing else?

When I've worn bike shorts, I've never worn underwear, even when I was
definitely in the "casual" category.

As for the lubing bit -- if I'm doing a long ride -- longer than 50 miles or
so -- I'll use A&D ointment or Bag Balm. These sorts of petroleum jelly
ointments have anticeptics, and not only do you get the lubrication, you
hold down the possibility of boils and other nasty infections. I always get
free samples of Chamois Butt'r before STP, and it's a nice lube, but I don't
know about its anticeptic qualities.

PS, I haven't had a "real" chamois in what -- 20 years? I agree with Mr.
Harris: it was a pain to maintain.

And to answer the query of the OP, under tights, I always just wear bike
shorts. If I had padded tights, I'd go commando, just like under regular
bike shorts.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Note: I'm just a newbie, so some of the above may be totally wrong. For
the
"real stuff", ask one of the regulars who does this...

You're making a distinction that doesn't exist. Whether you use cream or not
has nothing to do with the material the pad is made of. I don't know
anything about Armstrong's shorts (thank God) but riders -- pro racers or
otherwise -- who use "real chamois" are rare.

I suppose if you could find some sort of seamless underwear that doesn't
bunch and is made of wicking fabric, you could wear it under a pad. But why
would you? You might as well wear your bike shorts inside-out.

RichC

"Maggie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Rich Clark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Wear underwear only under street clothes.

RichC

Why? Is underwear mandatory?

God, no. I should have said "if at all."

RichC

Claire Petersky said:

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

But do you
think that many casual to intermediate female cyclists wear bike shorts

and

Quoted message said:

nothing else?

When I've worn bike shorts, I've never worn underwear, even when I was
definitely in the "casual" category.

Check.

Quoted message said:

As for the lubing bit -- if I'm doing a long ride -- longer than 50 miles or
so -- I'll use A&D ointment or Bag Balm. These sorts of petroleum jelly

I was under the impression that Bag Balm might cause your skin to get less
'tough', or the skin more um, tender. I have used that very thing, but I
used it after the rides if I started getting a little slice. Perhaps that
was backwards. A&D also works for me post ride and usually clears up any
little slices (which are, I think, where the skin kind of tears from the
see-sawing motion. Not sure, since I can't see my own...well, anyway)

Quoted message said:

ointments have anticeptics, and not only do you get the lubrication, you
hold down the possibility of boils and other nasty infections. I always get
free samples of Chamois Butt'r before STP, and it's a nice lube, but I don't
know about its anticeptic qualities.

PS, I haven't had a "real" chamois in what -- 20 years? I agree with Mr.
Harris: it was a pain to maintain.

OK, I stand corrected. I'm sure with the TdF riders they can toss the
shorts when it gets old or stiff or bad, dunno. Thus the comment to 'ask
the pros'. Thanks for your guidance. I only know what I saw on the Lance
Chronicles (LOL).

Quoted message said:

And to answer the query of the OP, under tights, I always just wear bike
shorts. If I had padded tights, I'd go commando, just like under regular
bike shorts.

You da Man...er...tell it! ;-D

-B

Badger_South said:

When you wear bike shorts with real chamois, you usually
apply a substance called 'chamois cream' to this material, and then you put
on the bike shorts.

I'd love to know if any women use chamois cream, and what
their experience of it is (they can email me directly rather
than discuss it on the NG if they prefer -- email addy works
as is). I shudder at the idea of the stuff.

-km

--
Only cowards fight kids -- unidentified Moscow protester

http://community.webshots.com/user/blackrosequilts
proud to be owned by a yorkie

Arthur Harris said:

The nice thing about unpadded tights over padded shorts is that if the
weather warms up, you can simply remore the tights.

But if that's not the case, I'd much rather have just one layer. Unfortunately,
padded long tights are really hard to find. I know where to get 'em, but it's
not in a bike shop.

Matt O.

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I was under the impression that Bag Balm might cause your skin to get

less

Quoted message said:

'tough', or the skin more um, tender. I have used that very thing, but I
used it after the rides if I started getting a little slice. Perhaps that
was backwards. A&D also works for me post ride and usually clears up any
little slices (which are, I think, where the skin kind of tears from the
see-sawing motion. Not sure, since I can't see my own...well, anyway)

The principal benefit of the "lubes", besides the obvious reducing
friction, is keeping the skin from softening from sweat. The main
ingredients of Bag Balm and A&D are petrolatum jelly and lanolin, both
effective at waterproofing the skin. This is why A&D is primarily used for
diaper rash prevention. It may help after a rash has formed, but my
pediatrician recommended an ointment with zinc oxide for that, called
"Balmex". My kids have been out of diapers for a while now, but I still
keep both products around.

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

But do you
think that many casual to intermediate female cyclists wear bike shorts

and

Quoted message said:

nothing else? Guys, no problem. I just can't picture it,

I don't understand what makes things different for M vs. F, nor do my wife
or daughter...

Peter Cole said:

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I was under the impression that Bag Balm might cause your skin to get

less

Quoted message said:

'tough', or the skin more um, tender. I have used that very thing, but I
used it after the rides if I started getting a little slice. Perhaps that
was backwards. A&D also works for me post ride and usually clears up any
little slices (which are, I think, where the skin kind of tears from the
see-sawing motion. Not sure, since I can't see my own...well, anyway)

The principal benefit of the "lubes", besides the obvious reducing
friction, is keeping the skin from softening from sweat. The main
ingredients of Bag Balm and A&D are petrolatum jelly and lanolin, both
effective at waterproofing the skin. This is why A&D is primarily used for
diaper rash prevention. It may help after a rash has formed, but my
pediatrician recommended an ointment with zinc oxide for that, called
"Balmex". My kids have been out of diapers for a while now, but I still
keep both products around.

Oh-kay that was the 'missing' element. It's the sweat and water which
softens the skin, as in pruney fingers, and the petroleum based lubes
waterproof. Of course.

Didn't get it until you said that, but, duh.

-B

Peter Cole said:

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

But do you
think that many casual to intermediate female cyclists wear bike shorts

and

Quoted message said:

nothing else? Guys, no problem. I just can't picture it,

I don't understand what makes things different for M vs. F, nor do my wife
or daughter...

Well-l-l, the 'ickky factor', perhaps. Ask Black Rose, she just posted
about not being able to imagine it and wants to take it to email.

Guess it's an old stereotype, and one I was playing up for humor. Sorry if
that came across as prejudice. Nowadays, women love to get muddy just as
much as men, and they are actually among the toughest of the Adventure
Racers. What I meant by 'I can't picture it' was 'I can't picture the
ladies as being as eager to cover their butts with grease and ride around
with no underwear. But that's just me. (and actually I'm just light
heartedly playing around)

-B.