SDRider

I came home early today to drop one of our cars off at the shop to check a problem we've been having, so I grabbed my LeMond planning on riding that home from the shop. Anyway, it's only about 5 miles, so I just put on a pair of cycling shorts, grabbed a t-shirt, socks, helmet and my road shoes and I threw on a pair of grey cotton shorts so if I had to call for a tow I wouldn't be standing there in spandex waiting for the tow truck driver to pick me up.

So I get to the shop, complete the paperwork, and hop on my bike to ride home. As I'm pedaling my way out, I realize that I forgot to take off the shorts and so I'm riding with a heavy loose cotton shirt, which happened to have two buttons at the top, and cycling shorts with a pair of heavy grey cotton shorts on over them. I also forgot my cycling glasses, so I couldn't even hide behind them. I didn't have gloves on either...I sure I looked like a total Fred.

Worst part is I passed a fellow roadie in full kit on the way home and I gave him a slight wave but he didn't even acknowledge me...I don't blame him.

DataJunkie

um...okay? I fail to see what the deal is. At least you weren't riding nude.
I ride in everything from spandex to baggie shorts.
However, I don't bother to cover up my cycling shorts. I wander around everywhere in them. The store, firestone, etc

So, stop covering up your shorts!

SDRider

Believe me, when I was going to the gym to get in a some riding during the winter months I was getting all kinds of weird looks from the guys there. Maybe it's a gay muscle builder/gym thing though...I don't know.

When I'm riding I'm always wearing spandex and I'm proud of it!!! But when I'm going to the auto repair shop, I try to blend in a bit. I don't mind standing at a stoplight on my bike in spandex but standing by a broke down hoopty on the side of the road in spandex just wasn't something I was really comfortable with...call me crazy.

pigmode

I like to meander around sometimes, and the prefered setup is riding shorts under surf shorts, and a tank top of some kind. If you have your position dialed in and possess a good spin, I can't imagine an experienced non-w*nker looking down upon that.

SDRider

Well, I was coasting leisurely down a hill to a stop sign and he was just turning onto that street. I'm sure I looked like the Merriam-Webster definition of Fred.

In my defense, my pose at the stop lights and my clip-ins were flawless!

bmclaughlin807

Meh... I'd have just shoved the extra pair of shorts into my folded up grocery panniers....

Wait... I'm not really helping anything, am I?

ZachS

only 5 miles? just wear regular shorts.

zacster

I don't like walking around in cycling shorts either, but I've even gone on the NYC subway in them, with my bike of course. And one time I was in my soaking wet shorts where the water squished out when I sat down on the seat. Gross.

I'll do some errands in regular clothes, but I almost never use my road bike for that because I won't leave my bike out of my sight. Its a mobile $5000 bill.

Going to a garage though I'd think twice about going in spandex.

SDRider

I was wearing regular shorts...over my cycling shorts.

Hammer 07

What a poser.

dekalbSTEEL

Finally, another chance to use my FRED gif

Lambo

I always try to judge people by how they dress.
Not.
At least Freds'll talk to you as they ride by. Roadies generally don't

roccobike

+1,

chromedome

If anybody ever doesn't like the clothes I'm wearing, I invite them to get their credit card out and go to Macy's to buy me some new clothes.

Silverexpress

The real question to ask is, "do the ladies acknowledge you when you've got the full outfit on or just the male roadies?"

Psimet2001 

Macy's is selling cycling clothing now? Sweet...now I have a reason to go to the loop with my wife....

Bob S.

This has been noted and is now part of your perminant record.

SingleSpeeDemon

F*ck roadies in their full kits...they usually think they're too good to wave or say "hello" when I greet them. I can't stand snobbery of any sort.

ZachS

and i wear cutoff BDUs...over my bare ass.

it works great. 'specially with my green b17 champion special.

try something different for a change.

DataJunkie

killer.
I think I can find a nice pink frilly dress for ya

operator

Well, let's just say if they're covered in team replica or somehow wearing something covered in sponsors - they better be getting paid to do it.

Otherwise ...

mgkaplan

What is the official definition of a "Fred?"

nelson249

Big deal. Frankly, I couldn't care less what other people think of my kit or lack thereof. I ride a Bianchi that is nearly 20 years old and I am not exactly fashionably kitted out in the latest (and very expensive) clothing and am looked down on by the local roadie club members on their new Treks and TdeF team jerseys. That is the major reason why I have very little to do with clubs. Too much time comparing gear and not enough time having fun riding the bike. I wear what works and if people don't like it, at least I am on a bike and not storming around in a big old SUV making their lives a burden to them.

here and there

+100