Spandex Not Required

Post written by Angela Brown

Many people think of one thing when it comes to cycling, those tight spandex shorts, wondering “do I have to wear those shorts if I want to get serious about cycling?”   Well people you are in luck.  Bike clothing manufacturers are making baggy bike shorts for those of us that want to be comfortable on the trails and not self conscious.

Many people just forgo the whole spandex thing by not buying cycling shorts at all not knowing that if they plan to spend any length of time on the bike that the shorts perform a very needed function.  Cycling shorts have a padded “chamois” that help protect your sit bones.  Many people that do buy the cycling shorts make one or several mistakes.  They wear other shorts over top of the spandex cycling shorts to be more modest.  This method works, you still have the protective chamois, but you also have the other shorts bunching up and that can be down right uncomfortable, not to mention making you look like a newbie.   The next mistake that people make is they wear underwear under their cycling shorts.  This is an announcement…  “you go commando under your cycling shorts!”… baggy kind or spandex kind.  Hey, before you make that “ewwww” face, you really need to try it and see how much more comfortable it is.

So you as you may be asking, “well, you mentioned the baggy cycling shorts, tell me more.”  Their are several companies that make these types of shorts, and they are the rage with mountain bikers.  One such company that makes really comfortable mountain bike clothing is Hoss Technical Gear.  Their shorts are great, and they look like normal shorts, so only you will know they are bike shorts.  This is wonderful if you have to stop by the store after a ride because there are no worries about changing clothes or covering up.  These shorts are about the best out there, and they are reasonably priced.  Another company that has a good baggy type of short for men and women is Fox.  The “Fox Diva” for women is a personal favorite of mine because it is comfortable and well made.  The Diva isn’t as well priced as the Hoss shorts, but hey ladies, don’t we always have to pay more for our clothes?

So check out your local bike shop or your favorite online cycling gear retailer and get a cool pair of baggies.  You don’t have anymore excuses on why you don’t want to ride your bike!