When the wife and I started cycling we both said there was no way that we would be wearing spandex shorts. After the first couple fifty mile rides we changed our minds. Spandex shorts with a chamois pad and plenty of chamois buttr is a necessity if riding over 35 miles.
We rarely ride on the road anymore but will attest that many riders are a-holes. If you think they're bad on the roads, try a bike trail close to a town. We've been run off the trail several times by oncoming riders.
Where I just came from in Crested Butte, it's like a modern day Mayberry. The people there are the nicest, happiest people on earth.
That Chamois Butter makes a huge difference. I jumped in a lake halfway through a 100 mile ride. It washed out. I ended up with friction burns on the skin over my sit bones. Probably worse than the carpet burns 700LH gets on his forehead.
