Why Cyclists Wear Lycra!
86
It seems “quite a stretch”-
for some manly men to wear stretchy pants!
Butt- let me assure you the cycling short is a “tool”.
Lycra and spandex wick away moisture.
They glide over surfaces (with your surfaces) to prevent chafing.
The materials prevent the build-up of moisture and bacteria in a place you don’t need more moisture and bacteria.
Air flows through the synthetic fibers easily.
Different panels of the cycling shorts are made of different materials.
Some panels will stretch in all directions, some panels ‘breathe’ better than others, and some panels can squeeze the thighs like compression socks squeeze the calves.
What we have here is a snug fit!
For a male it holds the luggage up very much like an athletic supporter.
That would be as in “jock strap” and not “booster club member”.
The best part of the cyclist’s shorts is the chamois!
This is like a smooth, slick diaper to add some special padding to protect several tender spots on men and women.
Neanderthal man had only wool cycling shorts with a leather chamois.
You could go for a bike ride with snug fitting wool shorts that might itch you crazy, but you’re coming back with loose fitting wool Bermuda shorts that look pretty silly.
Today there are many lubricants and anti bacterial creams to lube your “seat/chamois” with.
But for Neanderthal man there were no magic creams like:
Butt Butter, Butt Balm, Bun Butter, Wazoo Wiz, Crack Cream, Red Eye Rouge, Crappuccino, Oil of Ole, Udder Butter, Motion Lotion, Bladder Batter, SkidMarx, etc.
The primitive cyclist originally had a “loin cloth” that he strapped around himself.
(sorry about the male connotations- feminism hadn’t been invented yet).
Occasionally, for those really long rides, the early cyclist would put a large slice of dinosaur steak in his loin cloth; this would provide the extra “cushion” to alleviate discomfort.
When the cyclist arrived at his destination he would have a steak that was- already “tenderized”!
Sometimes- partially cooked!
So nowadays the cycling short is scientifically designed- butt tested!
The cycling short is padded, cleaner, lighter, dryer, and cooler.
The cyclist's short helps the cyclist to be more efficient.
It helps the cyclist be faster!
So the next time you see that cyclist with the spandex butt, please remember that the cyclist's short is a tool!
Butt- it helps the cyclist to be more comfortable!
And comfort is the utmost reason for bicycling shorts!
Butt- please, before you criticize the spandex or lycra material, remember that there are worse alternatives to the cyclists' shorts!
Be tolerant of the cyclist and all other life forms!
Let's hope that lycra is here to stay!
In other news- there was a protest in San Francisco this week-end as tensions mount against the textile industry leaving the United States and leaving many Americans without jobs.
The theme of this demonstration was to wear only products made in the continental United States.
Really?
A helmet was all this guy could find?
This participant had the most afro-dynamical attire except for her hat.
I'm not sure it was made in the US either!
Her children are so proud too!
Some participants were determined to "keep it green"!
Not even a hat eh?
You couldn't even find a hat?
Are you folks even looking for American made products?
The US Dairy Association showed their support.
The support of the ASPCA was very visible.
McDonalds showed us their stuff.
One lady came all the way from the North Pole to protest.
Some people had been there for at least a couple moons.
So- you're wearing a mask - so that no one will recognize you?
Whoa!
That bike is not yours!
You have the seat almost all the way down and it still appears high!
And- what's the telephoto lens for?
Well- I do believe we've seen about everything!
Another thought in passing:
Be careful buying a used bike in San Francisco!
'New Bicycle' 1950s Cartoon Advertisement
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April 23, 24, 2010 Carrboro Tarwheels and The Bicycle Wheel Of Adam O'Neil
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April 18, 2010 Hillsbros Playtex Cycling Team-Gets Juice-61 Hard Miles
April 17, 2010 Solo Ride, Tarwheels Ride, Solo, Time Trial, No TT, Solo
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No Cycling Shorts!
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me thinks some of these just had fun showing them bunnz
lol love it, you out did your self here Micky Dee! LOL
Yo Paraglider! I have to have a good chamois! My "hemmies" require it! Black shorts match grease!
Yo Sa'ge- you mean- you don't think there was a protest?
A protest there was, for sure, although, well, you know.
the stretch of the seamstress process, is easily matched by the creators process! the ware with the where to need to wittle, in a fashion to bring and keep home the sewing needle!
San Francisco always had that extra know how to make much fun of it all. You must admit they had a nice rush on that ride! LOL Love you!
BTW, I did love your Lycra and chamois info. Since I never was a bike rider like you are, this was new info for me. You did a great job as usual putting it together in with such humor! I did love it all, from top to bottom! Love ya!
Whoaaaa! Hold on, guys? Is there no longer fabrics left for them to wear? Something about nude I can't tolerate is when it is too nude in front of public! And look at one of the pic where a little girl seem shock because of what she seen on man's body!
It seem I need bicycle pants under my gown! Sound good!
Freya, I don
t think they were thinking about any of what you are thinking! Gown and Lycra? Don`no about that!
LOL. I guess you right. I think about indecency and only themselves who know about what they think.
Micky make it sound good to wear.
I had very embarrassing incident once while wearing gown. I climbed stairs and got slip. The bottom of my gown covering my upper body and half of my face, while what it should covered exposed to the world. Since that time, I avoid gown! Can't stand to face same incident twice! Hhhhh....
Weirdly enough, I was just asking myself the other day -why do bikers wear lycra? I had no answer until now but I was laughing too hard to see it all the first time. The creams are too funny! I liked the McD's suits too, and the upside is no one is going to ask to borrow their bikes. Thanks for the education! LOL
Freya!!! I am so sorry now! You know- I put those hearts, roses, smiley faces on top some "vital" areas.
I hate nudity myself.
I'm fully clothed most of the tome when I take a shower.
I just get in the shower with what I was wearing.
If I have to change clothes- I go into a dark closet!
I'm sorry about your embarrassment!
Thank you Sa'ge! I was trying to educate a little bit.
Aloha!
SilverGenes- I use some stuff called "lantiseptic". I was looking for "bag balm" which is what a lot of cyclists use on ultra-marathon events -day after day riding. Lantiseptic was recommended and I've used it ever since. I like it so much I wrote the company and told them how much I liked it. I told them they should advertise this "cream" as a bicycle short "chamois lube". They suggested I come up with an ad for them. I did - several. I suggested these names for the product and more. Never heard back!
Micky Dear, that couldn't be right! LOL. I wouldn't used my clothes under shower and I am sure neither did you!
I didn't mean to sound like I am complaining about your hub content, Micky, just about why these people chose to be nude in from of public like that. Kind of scary for me in someone doing that in front of me, but well, I came from another world so maybe I am the one that weird. :)
Micky you did a great job in covering them up, some artist you are! :D Freya, you not weird, just modest human being!
well, maybe a little bit, like the rest of us! haha! ~aloha
I wish I could have been in SF then. Looked like fun to the extreme. Fun and creative work Mick. thanks
Hi Freya. I'm playing a little bit with you. It appears that the nudist parade happened beneath the Golden Gate Bridge somewhere. I bet they "rented/pre4served an "out of the way place" to not offend many people. I could see the Golden Gate Bridge in one pic- I think.
But I'm not into nude people.
I like the "splash" of nudity, of a woman, in old bicycle posters but that's about it.
Don't get me wrong at ll- I love women - I just don't need nudity and certainly not porn. I can have nude women running through my brain anytime I want. I just don't like frustration.
Thank you Dear Freya! I love you as you ARE!
All this time I thought they were just cute, sexy and eye candy. Burst my bubble why don't ya. LOL Nice explanation. I like this post.
Mic, call me old school but I'm with Freya, not about the hub, I enjoyed it and tastefully done I might add, but the folks willing to go this far is beyond my line of thought. Adam and Eve were cool being naked didn't even know that they were, then they ate the forbidden fruit and for us the rest is history..... Us cowboys wear lycra under our jeans for saddle grease as we suffer the same on long drives, I ride a hard slick seat saddle and it's slippery enough so I don't have the need for lycra now, I just wear it 'cuz I like womens under clothes LOL
And there was I thinking you just wanted to look sexy in lycra!!!! What an eye-opener for the ignorant, like me. Thank you for all the wonderful pics, especially the body-painted nutters. Great stuff! LOL x
Awesome!! Looove the pictures, Mickey!!
Micky, I love this hub. Funny and in most cases very true. You cyling picturesare awesome. Thanks Micky.
Yo BobbiRant! Eye candy! Yep- I'm afraid it's all a "ruse".
50 Caliber I don't care too much what a bunch of naked people or nekkid people are doing in San Francisco.
What bothers me are fully clad murderers in suits in Washington, DC.I'd probably safely say that most of the naked people above have not murdered someone.
Like I say I don't even look at myself. Why the hell should I? Nobody else does!
Yo Dim! I'm glad you enjoyed the body painted nutters!
Yo msorensson! Thank you Dear!
Thanks again CYBERSUPE! Ride on!
I needed something to tickle my funny bone today, and this is it! I was laughing hard even before the painted cyclists pics and captions. Hats off to you!
I wonder how much 5 schillings are ( VIDEO ) I liked your ride and pretty pictures, i guess people will do what they need to do to make a point, i won,t judge them,
but as for me----------------
If i rode a bike fully nude
i,m sure i,d be arrested,
thinking i was a smart-aleck dude
I don,y know why, but i wasen,t endowed too fully
with a full set of twins
but like the little mermaid, i have a cute little pair of
fins
Thanks Micky, for a eye opening hub, it was a blast. LOL, thanks for sharing it. Godspeed. creativeone59
Sally's Trove- that makes me feel good to have you feel good! It's just "all fun".
Always Exploring-
I bet everything you have is just right!
You're one of the fairest in sight!
Your soul- is solid gold!
Your avatar is a delight to behold!
That's a darn good price I bet!
I wonder, today, what five shillings would get?
Hey Creativeone- I hope it wasn't too eye opening. Honestly- I can hardly tell a difference in paint and some of the outfits today.
Has nobody seen the dog ride that bicycle?
I'd better "re-title" it.
The creams were hysterical! I don't know how you put together so many pics and funny things - yet still inform us all at the same time! Wow!
Hi, was that you in the purple? ha ha talk about arodynamic! not sure about the pregnant lady though! bit dodgy! lol I would never ride a bike naked, no where to put my cigarettes! hee hee you made me giggle as usual! very good info in the top half but a bit of a bums rush on the bottom! ha ha cheers nell
Gad, Micky-this is fabulous! My mother-not a cyclist-used something called 'Bag Balm'-have you heard of that one?
akirchner- you are so cool to "get it all"!
Nell Rose- we got the "bum's rush"? At the bottom, no less!
lorlie- hey Girl! Bag Balm is the most preferred lube for long distance cycling. I like the lanticeptic today. Bag Balm is great- lanticeptic is thicker and lasts a little longer. Bag Balm is for cow's udders for sure and can be bought at most drug stores.
Thank you Ladies!
I thought he lycra was all about liking really really tight clothing in really really bright unmatching colors. Were the body painters just not into lycra or just needed even less skin irritation or .....? The pregnant lady was classic btw - Fun Hub Micky.
Damn I thought the title said lyrics not lycra and thought this hub was all about me, so, I had to go back and actually read it.
And it's awesome. Beautiful writing as your talent remains to being but those pictures are fabulous!
Really well done all mediums creatively working to compliment each other
Micky Dee
I just did see
Examples of what I want to be
Imaging you open and free
With I suspect a sore me
bottom line
Micky Dee
will u still marry me?
xo
ps voted up and shared it all about and voted awesome
Marry me?
Yo Billy!!! The bright colors should be to stick out of the scenery like a sore thumb and be safer. Yellow is a great color to be seen in. Unfortunately wasps and bees are attracted to yellow too. Dang it! I'm glad you had fun Bud!
Oh Kimberly that sounds so nice! To share my misery, oops, my life with another- it's a beautiful picture!
You are such a delight!
I hope I haven't misrepresented myself.
Just so that I don't-
You Kimberly, are a beautiful flower, a dream.
I, Micky Dee, am a born again idiot.
I pray for others and myself as I think I should or I am supposed to.
In turn for this, my God keeps me humble.
God, the forces that be, kismet, lunacy... whatever "it" can be called, ...this "IT" makes a fool of Micky Dee every day!
I am Don Quixote, 2010. Let's spell MD's DQ, Donkey Hoty. Let's call me DQ. Disqualified! DF- did not finish.
Nevertheless, what you don't see behind the avatar of Micky Dee, is a man who has been broken down more than a double barrel shot-gun.
You're looking at a liability. I see me fast approaching this future. Maybe not. I just haven't felt lucky in 40 years or so.
I'm certainly slowing down on the bicycle. I've gone from an "A" rider or even licensed racing (not good) to just old.
I've had everything taken from me time and time again. And- I mean everything.
I'm a damn train wreck! Got broken bones and arthritis to prove it.
I'm certified screwed up from Vietnam!
Never a harm to anyone else.
Terrible to me though.
I ride my bicycle. I create hubs.
This is my social life.
I'm saying what I'm saying because I have drunk a truth serum. I don't know when I drank it. I have no idea if truth really matters on planet Hollywood here. I just know- I evidently drank this truth serum at one time and I can't frickin' lie.
I rarely leave my house. My physical contact with people is riding my bicycle around other people.
Of course I'm the freak with long hair and beard.
I wasn't weird enough so at 60 years of age, last year, I got tattoos on all four limbs.
I fit in with - nobody!
I look for "life" in all the faces I see. If I look long enough I'll see a glimpse of "life", freedom from the matrix, humanity.
Otherwise - I am the alien. I am the foreigner. In my home - I am the alien.
Mexicans look at me and say, "That guy's screwed up!" Okay - "loco"!
I am Don Quixote and my butt is being kicked around by shabby windmills as well as well engineered and oiled machines.
I don't want to drag anyone down to my level. It's pretty lonely here. Even in a mall, even in a bike race/ride, I'm alone.
I just want to put all my cards on the table. It's that dang truth serum! This should be my "Totally Too Honest" hub!
But - maybe I'm looking Kim. I'm looking for a woman who will ignore my compassion that gets so heavy that I break myself. I'm looking for a woman who will ignore or empathize that I just came in from a bike ride and I'm incoherent and stupid and 60 years old and still fighting imaginary enemies.
I'm not looking for someone to tend to me in my wasting away years. I've honestly lived too long.
God bless you Kimberly for saying beautiful words like you have!
I can't pretend to anyone that I'm Micky Dee the cool guy who is a good catch.
I'm evidently not. I guess I exist here on hubpages.
You and other friends here- you read my stuff. Many friends in that other world, the "physical world", the people who it's possible to touch, ...these real people, I've known either don't read my work or they never say they do. Sure there are a few good friends who do "pay attention".
I can honestly say - that without property - I am "that guy" to avoid! Your father would say, "Damn child, you can do a lot better!" Your friends would say it.
You think I'm kidding you but I can turn a pretty head away faster than most!
I have long hair. I have tattoos. I have little money. As a matter of fact- my 94 Caddy just blew the radiator -$600. Now I'm told the head gasket is gone. $1200 more.
I can hardly get through the month anyway. I usually send my daughter money for college. Can't right now.
I got those "glasses" that humans are able to see the "aliens" with (or is it that I can see the humans?). I see multitudes of people that I can't identify with. They obviously cannot identify with me.
Honestly- for all purposes I may as well be an alien.
Do I want someone who represents a dream as you do? Absolutely!
Would any relationship work with me in it?
God allows me to appear to be a real person in passing.
Then- I reveal just how screwed up I am.
God bless you Kimberly for being so loving and kind.
MickeyDee I loved the hub, the pics and the list of creams. I had a good giggle at the names. If nudists want to ride around like that then that's up to them but i'd be scared of bumps in the road and the bees and wasps. he he he I don't think they would have to worry about their bikes getting pinched.
You are a good man Mickey and you should not keep putting yourself down like you do.You are to be admired for your love of riding and the things you stand for. You are a very special man, with a beautiful heart. One of those who stood proud for what he believed in. You and all those like you my friend stand tall in my eyes. God bless you MickeyDee.
Thank you Loves To Read! I'm glad you enjoyed the hub. I don't have much of a problem with nudists.
I could have a little problem with "why they are nude".
Do nudists wear their "nudity" as other people wear their fine clothes?
Are they "bragging" about their appearance?
This appearance that they may have little to do with and was more of a stroke of luck?
Pride goes before the fall.
I seem to fall on my face beforehand.
I guess I'll thank God for my failures. God bless you Loves To Read!
I found different hub from you. I know you still put wonderful picture. But the interest thing is the picture where the people riding a bike without clothes. I don't want to say that they all naked. Because their body full of paint...hahaha (although it still the same). Actually it make me smile, even laugh. I agree that you want to put hearts, roses, smiley faces to cover their "vital" area. Again....I vote this up. Riding is in your blood my friend. So never bored to update information in riding bike, even amazing pictures.
Prasetio
Funny and informative. I started biking this spring and love it. I love the lycra and could not bike without it.
Thanks
Healing touch
Brother Prasetio! You are always "on time"! God bless you Sir! Thank you for your warm support as always!
Howdy there Healing Touch! These padded shorts can have a healing touch too! Sorry! That's my warped sense of humor!
This is so cool, well I thought cyclists wore Lycra because it's hot, meaning looks good, but now that I saw the body paint WOW I've never rode nude, can't imagine that working out to well. I love this, your amazing and your adventures are heart lifting and make me smile. As always I enjoy the scenic photography and the added bonus, what a happy bunch. GO GREEN no doubt! Peace :)
I always wondered about that... and how your boys dont ache after five minutes on that narrow seat!! LOL
Awesome! You brought a smile to my face! Had no idea your Hub was going this direction! What fun!
Oh katiem! Thank you Ma'am! I am so glad yo like my pics! Peace!
carolina muscle- I have some "down-sizing going on this fall/winter. Let's always be careful with the "Boys"!
Cool beans GmaGoldie! I am very glad you had a good time.
I'm without words for the first time here on Hubpages...:) HHHmmm...Educational...and then some!
Although...now that my senses are returning...I got'ta wonder if some folks in Lycra...and some in the parade photos with body paint...aren't about equal...ha!? Thanks for a great laff, MD!
"Different panels of the cycling shorts are made of different materials" That's the ideal stuff bro Micky but you know what,the whole pics are great and they all caught my imagination.
Yo Manly Man of Poetry! Don't strain your brain st those "paint jobs"!
Yo Rossi Bro. I bet you'd look purty in lycra! Thanks Bud!
I couldn't resist reading this just from the title! lol LOVE the protester pictures. This was awesome! I've been body painted before...I don't think I would want to necessarily ride a bike like though.lol
Yo theherbivorehippi! I had a friend that would ride his bike nude on the Blue Ridge Parkway when a part might be closed like in the winter. He rode alone too.
I have seen some lady hikers that wen au natural but that bike seat is another kettle of leather!
This was most enjoyable! Might have been a bit more enjoyable without all those little red hearts and smileys, though! LOL!
I still have much to learn about cycling, that I can tell. Really when I was last on a bike you just got onto it and rode with whatever you were wearing on! Now I've gotta buy lycra pants? Oh my!
Thanks for sharing
Love and peace
Tony
I bet Tony Mac would be purty in lycra! It will help out the bum! God bless my TonyMac!
CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol, lol,
God bless you drpastorcarlotta! This was "jest" fun! I'm keeping the lycra shorts for sure!
Fun hub!! I have taken enough spin classes to understand the lycra phenomena! Ride on!!
Ok, Ok you've sold me on the lycra MD, but its got to wait 'till i've got a new (second hand new) 'at! (hat) So i might have to wait until Xmas. You have steered a bunch of interesting folk to my front doors mickey with the 'Birthday Hub' -even with my knobbly knees on show.
How much Porridge (oatmeal) do i owe you.
I felt so good i gave Canale- my local Scottish- Italian my old six bikes, bike in one. Then was given a decent bike to replace the one i gave away.Hope your still jaming those gears an well. Thanks again MD.
God bless you nomoretrucks! I'm going down to Florida for just one day of riding- Cross Florida. It's 170 miles in that one day. I've only ridden 84 miles in one day this year and I was sorry I did that. I'm going to be a mess. God bless you brother man. Be safe out there!
Ouch! my a*% hurts just thinking of 170! Bet it will feel like 171! Have a good ride Micky, 'twill be another great day- keep going inspiration man!! I will have a prayer so you get a tailwind.
Ha! You've got it! Oh my! That last mile won't be so bad. It's the next to last! I love you brother man!
You don't have to make any excuses for me! nothing hotter than seeing a man's butt in cycling shorts! keep on doing what you do fellas! ;)
Too cool! Thank you!!!
I never saw this hub before, liked it and the one you just published.
Are those really names of creams or did you make them up? Oh, and bikes cost a lot more than 4 shillings a week now.
By the way the dog riding the bike is a natural.
Some of those creams are real. Thank you Hummingbird!
Paraglider Level 5 Commenter 22 months ago
I've never been convinced by the chamois inserts, Lycra (black, of course) and vaseline always seemed about right!