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ENLARGE
Bryce Evans
If you walk the streets of Summit County in December, you'll likely see a lot of parkas, poles, boards and skis.
In July?
It's all spandex.
Of course, I'm referring to the incredibly large cycling community that roams the pavement and rocky paths of the county.
Though it may be alarming, maybe frightening, to some out-of-towners when they see so many spandex-clad bikers moseying around Main Street Breck, it's actually a very common sight for locals.
Still, I've always had a hard time understanding the purpose of the tight shorts for casual riders. It obviously has nothing to do with aerodynamics, because it wouldn't make much of a difference anyway. And, even though it has some padding, can't you just wear some looser shorts over them?
Well I posed this question to readers in my column last Sunday (“A word of advice for cyclists”), and I got a really large response.
In piecing together the feedback — and excluding the e-mails that simply called me an “idiot” and told me to “google it” — I've got some answers for all others out there who are perplexed by tight pants.
It seems that it comes down to a few different reasons — luckily, none of them have to do with appearance.
The first, and most obvious, is the padding in them. This padding isn't to protect from the strain of the seat, though. As one reader put it, rather graphically, “A pair of riding shorts with a pad will protect your crotch area from chaffing instead of that slimy wet feeling that can turn your junk into a burning nightmare.”
Well put.
But isn't chaffing the same reason people wear compression shorts underneath gym shorts while running? Why don't people just throw some shorts on over them?
Ah, I'm glad I asked.
One reader e-mailed to let me know that “normal” gym shorts are likely to be blown up your leg by the wind, which can get pretty annoying on a long bike ride. Though some people don't carry the speed for that to happen, the majority of people cycling around here probably do. Also spandex protects your legs and shorts from getting caught or cut on either your bike or objects you might ride past.
The color and material also can be pretty valuable when trying to clean off your hands after a bike repair on the trail, as another reader pointed out: “Black pants come in handy after wiping off initial grease on grass and dirt. Besides, you can't see through black pants.”
Valid points.
The final dilemma comes from wearing such a revealing outfit in public, especially those who are done riding for the day and are in, say, the checkout line at City Market.
The response from readers? Not a problem, just part of the sport. If you are that uncomfortable wearing a pair of tights that leave little to the imagination, then there are baggier biking shorts with a protective liner that have similar features.
Mystery solved, I guess.
Now, will I go out and buy a pair? Eh, I think some things are better kept in your imagination.
In July?
It's all spandex.
Of course, I'm referring to the incredibly large cycling community that roams the pavement and rocky paths of the county.
Though it may be alarming, maybe frightening, to some out-of-towners when they see so many spandex-clad bikers moseying around Main Street Breck, it's actually a very common sight for locals.
Still, I've always had a hard time understanding the purpose of the tight shorts for casual riders. It obviously has nothing to do with aerodynamics, because it wouldn't make much of a difference anyway. And, even though it has some padding, can't you just wear some looser shorts over them?
Well I posed this question to readers in my column last Sunday (“A word of advice for cyclists”), and I got a really large response.
In piecing together the feedback — and excluding the e-mails that simply called me an “idiot” and told me to “google it” — I've got some answers for all others out there who are perplexed by tight pants.
It seems that it comes down to a few different reasons — luckily, none of them have to do with appearance.
The first, and most obvious, is the padding in them. This padding isn't to protect from the strain of the seat, though. As one reader put it, rather graphically, “A pair of riding shorts with a pad will protect your crotch area from chaffing instead of that slimy wet feeling that can turn your junk into a burning nightmare.”
Well put.
But isn't chaffing the same reason people wear compression shorts underneath gym shorts while running? Why don't people just throw some shorts on over them?
Ah, I'm glad I asked.
One reader e-mailed to let me know that “normal” gym shorts are likely to be blown up your leg by the wind, which can get pretty annoying on a long bike ride. Though some people don't carry the speed for that to happen, the majority of people cycling around here probably do. Also spandex protects your legs and shorts from getting caught or cut on either your bike or objects you might ride past.
The color and material also can be pretty valuable when trying to clean off your hands after a bike repair on the trail, as another reader pointed out: “Black pants come in handy after wiping off initial grease on grass and dirt. Besides, you can't see through black pants.”
Valid points.
The final dilemma comes from wearing such a revealing outfit in public, especially those who are done riding for the day and are in, say, the checkout line at City Market.
The response from readers? Not a problem, just part of the sport. If you are that uncomfortable wearing a pair of tights that leave little to the imagination, then there are baggier biking shorts with a protective liner that have similar features.
Mystery solved, I guess.
Now, will I go out and buy a pair? Eh, I think some things are better kept in your imagination.
