Advantages of cycling pants / shorts vs street cloths?

Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of the
sit bones?

Ken
--
More of my mind dribblings: http://mind-dribble.blogspot.com/
And my homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

I'm interested in this also along with shoes.
Ray
"Ken Marcet" wrote in message
...
Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the
new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned
well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of
the
sit bones?

Ken
--
More of my mind dribblings: http://mind-dribble.blogspot.com/
And my homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

Ken Marcet wrote:

Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of the
sit bones?

See
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/b2e6eead177a216c?dmode=source
for an explanation of why proper cycling clothes is important.

--
Tom Sherman – Earth (Illinois)

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 13:25:24 -0500, "Ken Marcet"
wrote:

Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of the
sit bones?

Ken

What is a solid decade? Ten years of riding?

The cycling shorts have a couple functions. If they are fairly tight, they
act to slightly compress your thigh muscles and (arguably) allows them
something to work against. It feels good to wear them if they're tight (but
not tight in the groin or anything).

Second they cut down on wind resistance relative to baggy shorts which can
act as a mini-parachute when wind blows up inside them.

Third they can dry quickly, wick moisture, though I do sweat a lot and mine
are never wet.

Last they do have some padding to cushion the bottom. This padding is only
really helpful on rides over 25 miles or over two hours in the saddle. For
some people the chamois is lightly greased where the bones contact them and
this can help prevent friction saddle sores.

When I was only getting 100 miles per week I rode without padded shorts and
had no problems, so ymmv.

jj

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 13:10:23 -0600, Tom Sherman
wrote:

Ken Marcet wrote:

Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of the
sit bones?

See
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/b2e6eead177a216c?dmode=source
for an explanation of why proper cycling clothes is important.

Rather specious reply to a newbie just looking for some advice, don't you
think?

-B

jj wrote:

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 13:10:23 -0600, Tom Sherman
wrote:


Ken Marcet wrote:


Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of the
sit bones?

See
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent/msg/b2e6eead177a216c?dmode=source
for an explanation of why proper cycling clothes is important.


Rather specious reply to a newbie just looking for some advice, don't you
think?

Everyone needs to be exposed to the wisdom of Fabrizio Mazzoleni!

Besides, I have offered Mr. Marcet serious advice in the past.

--
Tom Sherman – Earth (Illinois)

Ken Marcet wrote:
...
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
...

Last day of a 4 day ride and luckily the shortest day. However, it's
raining and I've made the mistake of wearing regular shorts and
underwear. After 15 miles the chaffing is so bad that I've resolved to
ride the remaining 30 miles standing up. This too becomes unbearable
and I strip in the middle of the (isolated) trail and put on regular
biking shorts. The remaining miles are a pleasure and I record my
highest average speed of the entire trip despite the constant rain.

Of course yesterday I did 40 miles on my hybrid over mostly dirt roads
with just regular shorts and had no problems...go figure.

Something else you're probably going to have problems with on longer
rides is "runner's nipple". I get it whenever I wear cotton shirts and
get very sweaty. Wearing a polyester cycling jersey causes no
irritation.

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 13:38:36 -0600, Tom Sherman
wrote:

Everyone needs to be exposed to the wisdom of Fabrizio Mazzoleni!

Oh for sure. There's definitely wisdom therein.

Besides, I have offered Mr. Marcet serious advice in the past.

--
Tom Sherman – Earth (Illinois)

I only wish I'd discovered lycra and spandex earlier. Beats jogging or
working out in a wet cotton T-shirt. Plus, neat pocket in back for your
stuff.

So my opinion, yeah, the point behind cyclewear is for the pockets and
zippers. The fluorescent colors is just designed to make you more visible
to marauding crows and divebombing sparrows...uh, which is the real reason
we wear helmets. That's the ticket. ;-)

jj

wrote in message
ups.com...

Ken Marcet wrote:
...
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
...

Last day of a 4 day ride and luckily the shortest day. However, it's
raining and I've made the mistake of wearing regular shorts and
underwear. After 15 miles the chaffing is so bad that I've resolved to
ride the remaining 30 miles standing up. This too becomes unbearable
and I strip in the middle of the (isolated) trail and put on regular
biking shorts. The remaining miles are a pleasure and I record my
highest average speed of the entire trip despite the constant rain.

Of course yesterday I did 40 miles on my hybrid over mostly dirt roads
with just regular shorts and had no problems...go figure.

Something else you're probably going to have problems with on longer
rides is "runner's nipple". I get it whenever I wear cotton shirts and
get very sweaty. Wearing a polyester cycling jersey causes no
irritation.

LOL! Are you being serious?
Ray

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 13:25:24 -0500, "Ken Marcet" wrote:

Okay I just did my first really solid decade on my rehabed ride with the new
saddle.
The saddle seems fine, adjusted well, stem height handlebar positioned well.
For longer rides, what is the advantage of cycle wear?
From what I have read, it seems to me that mostly the purpose is to wick
moisture away from your body.
Is this correct? What other advantages would they serve?
I have seen some with "padding" in them, is this for extra cushioning of the
sit bones?

First the shorts will constrain parts of the anatomy that might otherwise find
themselves betwixt the saddle and thigh, or worse directly under you and above
the saddle. Jockey shorts and various supporters might help with this issue but
tend to have seams in exactly the wrong places. Bike shorts do not bunch up when
riding or get hung up on the saddle when standing, sitting, mounting or
performing the voluntary dismount. The padding is a benefit between your parts
and the saddle.

The jersey's a bit more optional with me. A t-shirt will work fine for short
rides, but the jersey does have pockets that work and it won't beat you to death
flapping.

Ron