What are you Wearing Under Those Shorts?

I love the unexpected. I have joined a weekly cycling group. Being the second time that I have ridden with them, I have grown accustomed to the lead riders riding up behind you and giving advice. I hang onto their every nugget of information while I desperately try to pedal and at the same appear engaged in what they are saying. It isn't easy to converse while cycling when you're building up cardio. Mostly I grunt in acknowledgement or ask a quick question which will then launch these cycling encyclopedias into long explanations. This technique allows me the breathing room I need to get to the top of the hill without totally blowing out or wheezing like a 20yr old smoker.

At one point in the ride, I heard someone behind me say something like, "Are you wearing underwear?" Now I know they were not talking to me because, DUH, I am wearing cycling shorts, so it must be a conversation that I have bumped into. I ignore it. After all, I am dealing with far more important issues, like the upcoming red light and will I need to unclip or can I coast until it turns green and then hoof it. Then I heard the question again, "Are you wearing underwear?" I turned to my left and the lead rider is looking at me. I responded with a brilliant, "Huh?" He says, "I noticed that you have a line in your bikers shorts that tell me that you are wearing underwear. Am I right?" Well, as he put it that way, I answered, "Yes, I am wearing thongs. I don't usually, but I was running late and just threw on my bikers shorts. Forgot to take the thongs off." He proceeded to tell me that it was not a good idea to wear underwear because of breathability and chaffing issues. I laughed at him, and jokingly said, "Wow, you lead riders do notice the little things don't you." We laughed, and he said that it was his job to make cycling the best experience, and if that included talking about underwear, so be it. And then he said that I may need to use Vitamin A & E lotion later on that evening if any issues developed due to wearing my underwear. I am happy to announce that it wasn't necessary. But, I will not be wearing underwear under cycling shorts again because it was a tad uncomfortable!!!