Discussions about cycling shorts, other than 'how do you like those [brand] shorts', are often carried out in hushed tones. The advantage of a fitness blog, of course, is that nobody has to hear you asking questions that are more, shall we say, personal. So for anyone who has questions, but is afraid to ask…here is more or less everything you need to know about cycling shorts.

Cycling shorts and bike shorts are two different articles of clothing. A bike short is a tight fitting short, nothing else. A cycling short is tight fitting short that has a pad in the crotch, typically made of chamois or a synthetic version of chamois. The reason for the padding is to provide comfort and protection from chaffing when riding a bicycle. Trust us, even 30 minutes on the bike is infinitely more comfortable with a pair of cycling shorts.

Because of the chamois liner, cycling shorts are designed to be worn without any underwear. No briefs or panties – wear them just like you would wear a swimsuit. You can try and wear underwear, but you’ll get chaffed – skin irritations in places you really don’t want them.

You can also reduce the chances of chaffing by putting a layer of ointment on the chamois. Some companies sell chamois cream, but petroleum jelly works great and is a lot cheaper. It may feel weird at first, but it works really well.

After cycling, you’ll want to get out of your shorts fairly quickly. As a general rule, plan on getting out of your shorts within 15-20 minutes. If this is not possible, bring a change of clothes. Failure to do so can result in jock itch, yeast infections and/or saddle sores – none of which is pleasurable. If it’s going to be a period of time before you can take a shower, bring a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a wash cloth. A quick rub down will give you a few hours of modest hygiene. (And yes, rub down there….) If the thought of rubbing alcohol in the more "sensitive" areas scares you, hand wipes will also work.

As far as changing, if a rest room is not available, bring an oversized towel and wrap it around your waist. Most people who ride regularly won’t think twice about seeing you with just a towel on...even members of the opposite sex. Just make sure that you wrap it tight. :)

Finally and most importantly, wash your shorts after each ride. Simply airing cycling shorts out won’t kill the bacteria and can cause you problems later on. Not to mention that nobody wants to be around stinky shorts. If you’re riding everyday, consider buying multiple pairs.

As far as brands, like most other clothing, it really comes down to fit. I always opted for Pearl Izumi, but we sell lots of Performance Bike brand shorts. Go with whatever you feel comfortable wearing.

NetSweat carries both men's and women's cycling apparel, including plus size cycling shorts.