[surfplusart]

never fear SC and others, so many guys i know have been able to find bike shorts that look like regular shorts. i never say anything but they are always the first to point out, oh i would be embarrassed to wear spandex and look, these look great, believe it or not they are actually bike shorts see? im like whatever yeah they look good   come to think of it, now that i only ride for fun, actually not much anymore, i can't remember the last time i wore bike shorts, always something over it.

[SeaCliff]

never fear SC and others, so many guys i know have been able to find bike shorts that look like regular shorts. i never say anything but they are always the first to point out, oh i would be embarrassed to wear spandex and look, these look great, believe it or not they are actually bike shorts see? im like whatever yeah they look good   come to think of it, now that i only ride for fun, actually not much anymore, i can't remember the last time i wore bike shorts, always something over it.

It's not so much the spandex as it is the ridiculous looking spandex that some in bike riding circles seem to prefer. But heck, I'm sure they think I look ridiculous in a rashguard and boardies, so I guess we're even. 

[surfplusart]

haha yeah it's all about your personal confidence level and camaraderie within your own subculture. maybe sometimes it's simply bad fashion where nothing else is available, think a lot of 80s fashion.

[theusername]

Sigh. Now there's something I hadn't considered - those silly biking outfits.

Spandex. blech.

There's a lot of things I'll do, spandex ain't one of 'em.

what about a speedo for the swim?

most triathletes wear wetsuits, even at ridiculously warm temps where you'd figure wetsuits weren't necessary. it does give added buoyancy and improves many people's swim times, since it acts as a bit of a corrective for poor posture and technique. i think there is a temperature cut off where wetsuits aren't allowed (after all at some point that becomes a health risk - from overheating) still they're far more permissive and reliant on them than say, open water swimmers who generally believe in nothing more than a swimsuit, goggles, and a non-insulating cap, regardless of the water temps.

[seacow]

Yeah its nice to wear a wetsuit for the swim.  Added buoyancy and you dont get cold standing around waiting for your start time.  Plus we all have wetsuits so its not an added expense.  Just pick the easiest 3/2 or spring suit you can get out of. 

[the Kook]

Sigh. Now there's something I hadn't considered - those silly biking outfits.

Spandex. blech.

There's a lot of things I'll do, spandex ain't one of 'em.

Yeah I know what you mean, at least when you are wearing neoprene, oh wait never mind.

[Looseness]

never fear SC and others, so many guys i know have been able to find bike shorts that look like regular shorts. i never say anything but they are always the first to point out, oh i would be embarrassed to wear spandex and look, these look great, believe it or not they are actually bike shorts see? im like whatever yeah they look good   come to think of it, now that i only ride for fun, actually not much anymore, i can't remember the last time i wore bike shorts, always something over it.

It's not so much the spandex as it is the ridiculous looking spandex that some in bike riding circles seem to prefer. But heck, I'm sure they think I look ridiculous in a rashguard and boardies, so I guess we're even. 

yeah, why is that stuff SHINY? that makes it way worse.
speedo tanks suits are at least a dull finish.

[HydroGlide]

I'm reluctantly OK with the flashy shiny bike costumes for guys who are serious about time over distance or riding in serious groups but what has always killed me is the obviously out of shape costumed rider who obviously just donned his ultra expensive attire and mounted his ultra expensive bike just to ride a few blocks to get a bagel and a schmear then pose around the deli counter like he is about to set off on a 100 mile speed quest (when the crowd around him is pretty sure he's heading straight back home after he eats to watch TV).

[seacow]

Haha so true Hydro.  Those are the guys bikes you want to find on CL. 

[jscottk]

A good pair of padded bike shorts is gonna save yer ...well lets put it delicately.your...
ball sack.
My friend calls them diapers is that better?

Add a meshy wik shirt your fine, it doesnt have to be spandex

[Dorado]

i did two last yr both run by the FDNY one of which is the Rockaway tri which is very grassroots . the other which is a little moreformalas the inaugural FDNY tri in orchard beach , both ae sprint distance . the Rock is 1/2 swim , 15 bike 5 run , the orchard beach is 1/2 , 12, 3 . i basically didnt train to hard for either bought a slightly better than entry level bike on CL and plan on doing them again this summer it is a lot of fun .i WAS A COLLEGIATE SWIMMER ( briefly ) and was very comp at he swim finishing in the to 15 in both races but after that the bikers have the best advantage as it is the longest part of the event .I suck hate running but gut it out for the races

[derekdeldeshkin]

Any info on these FDNY events would be helpful.  Website?  I've done the TOH tri and the long beach lifeguard events but I've been turned off by the more formal events like the runners edge tri.  The rockaway event sounds cool.