Why do cyclists wear those funny tight shorts? The answer is both simple and complex. Cycling clothing has evolved over time. The earliest cycling clothing was just pretty much what men wore. At that time no woman would have ridden a bike, except that some did.
It didn’t take too long before folks started racing around on these newfangled two wheelers. And it became pretty apparent that wearing heavy trousers, sleeve gaiters, vests, spats, and other heavy clothing was just plain counter-productive.
By the 1920s riders were wearing things that looked a lot like modern ride clothing. The thing was, most of that stuff was made out of wool. Merino wool, but wool just the same. And the pads in the shorts! They were made out of chamois leather.
When wool was the technical garment of choice, we discovered that lubricating the chamois was essential. In the old days we used petroleum jelly as a chamois lube. Can I just say that things have improved a bit since those ancient times?
Modern cycling shorts are almost miraculous. The lycra, spandex, polypro materials wick moisture. They don’t itch! They don’t stink. (Remember wool?) They hold their shape and size.
Why a pad? The pad in your shorts is often misunderstood. Part of its function is as upholstery, to add a bit of padding to sensitive areas. But that is only an incidental benefit. The pad’s primary purpose is to serve as a bearing, to reduce friction between the rider and the saddle.
The pad’s secondary function is to wick moisture away from you, keeping you more comfortable.
Lubricants. I mentioned that we used to use petroleum jelly. Don’t do this! It’s messy, and the stuff clogs up the pores in skin. That can lead to blackheads, sores, and infections. There are modern, and much better alternatives. Chamois Butt’r ™ or Body Glide ™ are excellent lubricants. I recommend applying directly to the affected areas of the body, but a generous application on the pad of the short works well too.
Don’t wear underwear. Anything worn between your shorts and you will get really damp, will bunch up, and will chafe. Not good.
Put a clean body into your shorts. The area in question is a terrific breeding ground for bacteria. It’s hot, moist, and dark. If you add to that the occasional abrasive chafing, you have a prime situation for a nasty infection.
Take your shorts off. As soon as possible, after a ride, get out of your riding clothing. You’ll feel better, and you will have a much lower chance of developing sores or boils.
Wash your shorts. This is not a garment that should be subjected to multiple uses between washing. One ride and then wash. Use warm water and gentle detergent. (Delicate cycle in most washers.) Then hang to dry. Never put your shorts in the dryer!
If you need to wear them soon, and want to dry them fast. First, squeeze as much water out of htem as you can. Then roll them inside a towel and twist the towel to wring the maximum moisture from them. Finally, hang them, and let the air dry them. At worst, they will be slightly damp the next day, and you are going to get them that way as soon as you start riding.
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