I've been riding mountain and road bikes since I was a kid. When I bought my first mountain bike about 17 years ago I bought the pants (more padding) but I refused to buy/wear a jersey.

Last year I finally broke down and bought some jerseys, but only because I wanted the pockets to carry food ... (and beer, cigarettes, and condoms. OK. I'm kidding about the last part. Besides, after a couple of hours in those pants, and on that seat, a condom is pretty much useless...

But yeah - fully geeked out riders still make me giggle, even if I'm one of them...

Tee hee! I live in the PhD capital of the world. Every morning driving through Research Triangle Park past IBM...er...Lenovo, Glaxo, and all that fun stuff you pass at least two people huffing and puffing and trying to make it to work by eight in full spandexocity. Sometimes, just to shake things up, they ride around during lunch in groups. How do these people seek each other out at work? Do they post messages on the listserv or something? "Hey, I have my bike in my locker. Anyone up for a ride before meeting?"

Even if I was twisted enough to ever ride a road bike, I sure as hell wouldn't be caught dead in spandex.

I hate those people. I have no problem if you want to ride a bike but for god sake stick to the side of the road, or better yet, a trail or side walk. Don't hold up traffic.

Most of the time they're riding in the street...next to, but not in, the bike lane.

Most of the time they're riding in the street...next to, but not in, the bike lane.

Try it yourself - If you can find a bikelane anywhere, that's usually where you find the tire alligators, broken bottles, roadkill, potholes and all sorts of other hazards more dangerous than idiots in cars flying by you at 60 mph in a 35...
Generally speaking, it's usually safer just to the left of the white line in the road...