General Discussion Triathlon Talk » You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often. Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-09-17 5:37 PM

User image

Member
38
25
Subject: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
I often ride to and from work as part of my training. I usually show up early, and go into the warehouse. I can lock my bike up in the back of the warehouse, and that's where the nice big private restroom is, where I can wash up and change.

Usually the only people who see me in my bike/tri clothes are a couple of warehouse guys. But this morning I was running a little late, and our CFO was in early. So I was standing in the parking lot, outside the warehouse door, pulling my access card out of my bag, when I hear him yell across the parking lot, "You forget to get dressed this morning?" To which he's quickly answered by a shipping clerk who's outside smoking. "No he show's up in his underwear often."

I chuckled and walked in the warehouse. But it's stayed with me all day. This morning I was wearing tri shorts and a racing jersey, which isn't much different than showing up to work in boxer-briefs and an undershirt. But like I said I don't flaunt it, I go in and quickly change.

So my questions to those of you who bike to work are. What do you wear? Is is inappropriate to show up to work in lycra? Are you self conscious? Do you get heckled like this?


2009-09-17 5:45 PM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Pro
4578
20002000500252525
Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.

Not inappropriate in my workplace at all. It would be inappropriate to wear all day though because it's stinky.

I show up in bike kit all the time as does the vice president of my very small company, but I change pretty quickly. I don't like wearing chamois for long when not riding. Others show up in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops and wear them all day long, so no, I don't get heckled for what I wear.

Anyway, I think you should keep doing what you are doing.

2009-09-17 5:46 PM
in reply to: #2412625

New user
476
100100100100252525
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
I work from home.  My wife heckles me all the time! Laughing
2009-09-17 6:11 PM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Extreme Veteran
3177
20001000100252525
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
when I bike to work I have a locker room in every building so no matter where I go I can get showered and changed without really going anywhere (rooms are either in the parking garages or just next to the doors from the first floor stairwell so no one really sees me except other bikers and people in the garage. No one is ever there though when I get to work.    If I tried to wear tri shorts and my jersey at my desk I would be asked to change, I have to be, at least, somewhat presentable. If I somehow dont have clothes then I get scrubs 
2009-09-17 6:39 PM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Folsom, CA (Sacramento Area)
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
That is pretty funny!!. 

I am a clydesdale and ride and run from work.  I ususally run shirtless in the summer and I don't care what people think.  I grew up swimming in speedo's so maybe that prepare me to not care.
2009-09-17 7:15 PM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.

I don't get to bike commute but I am LMAO at the comment!  Made my day!



2009-09-17 11:32 PM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Master
2665
20005001002525
The Whites, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
When I ride to work, I am wearing an orange reflective vest, two lights on my handlebars and one on my helmet plus the blinkie in the back, my bright orange hydration pack, and reflective stripes on my ankles. I don't think anyone can see what I'm wearing beneath all that! I do get strange looks though - country boys aren't used to anyone looking sporty in any way.

(I work nights, I ride in at 10:30 p.m.)
2009-09-17 11:57 PM
in reply to: #2412625

Master
2460
20001001001001002525
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
I guess I'm not fashion conscious, but even as a guy, I don't get what the hangup is with men wearing lycra or form-fitting clothing. If anything, I think it makes you look "hardcore" and "bad$$$!" I've NEVER received a disparaging comment about how ridiculous I look in triwear - it's invariably the opposite, from both sexes, and particularly from coworkers who usually see me in work clothes.
2009-09-18 12:55 AM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Expert
1116
1000100
Thornton, CO
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
I ride to and from work in bike shorts and a jersey.  Only comments I ever get are things like: "good ride today?"  "Didn't get hit by another car did you?" "I still don't know how you train so much" etc.  Always a good atmosphere at work... could be that it's Colorado and much more accepted than if I was back in Jersey or something.  I do immediately wash up in the bathroom and change into regular clothing that I keep stored in my cubical area.

Surprisingly no one has ever commented about the shaved legs... Perhaps they just talk behind my back instead.
2009-09-18 8:43 AM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Master
2223
2000100100
Columbus, Ohio
Coaching member
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
After I get in and carry my bike upstairs, I go in my office and get my dress clothes that I keep there, and my gym bag. Since I do the "flying dismount" in order to avoid climbing the shiny stairs in Look cleats, at this point I am walking to the shower in socks and cycling clothes.

Oh, and frequently I don't bother combing my hair before putting my helmet on.

So that is: socks, cycling gear, helmet head, sweaty.

I then walk down the hall to the shower.
We frequently have our Advisory Board and committee meetings at 8am, and the board room is across from the shower. So sometimes I am walking by and there are a bunch of executives sitting there watching as I walk by.

Oh well!

I've never gotten heckled. Usually the same as the other poster: just comments about, "I don't know how you do that," or whatever. Some people who are interested will ask me to tell them about my bike.  We have a couple triathletes on the Advisory Board, so they will usually notice if I get a new helmet or pair of gloves or something. (I leave that stuff hanging on my bike out in the stairwell.)


Now one time I stopped to vote on the way to work. I stepped into the lobby of the polling place, and it was a polished stone floor. Having fallen on my a*s before in cleats, I immediately removed my shoes. I did get some comment from an older man about how he didn't really think it was necessary for me to remove my shoes to enter the building. (He thought I was being overly polite.) :-)
2009-09-18 8:45 AM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Master
1790
1000500100100252525
Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.

My commute bike is a slow, heavy, single speed bike with rack and fenders.  When it's warm I wear a light t-shirt (merino wool because it dries quickly and never stinks), loose shorts, and shoes I can walk in.  Wearing spandex and riding this bike don't really go together.... 

Brian 



2009-09-18 8:46 AM
in reply to: #2412625

User image

Veteran
471
1001001001002525
Alpharetta
Subject: RE: You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often.
I wear the full getup when I bike to work (or run/bike at lunch) and I have to walk all the way up to the second floor, middle of the building to get to the showers. Nobody's ever said anything to me and I'm not that self-conscious about it. The only time I was worried was when I was coming back from a lunchtime ride after an unexpected downpour. Nothing like putting on a wet shirt show for the co-workers! I just draped a towel around my neck and walked FAST.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » You forget to get dressed this morning? No he shows up in his underwear often. Rss Feed