Cycling clothes at daily mass?

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Sometimes delivery people wear that bike outfit when they ride their bikes to deliver packages. I remember one who brought supplies to our office. He was quite tall and wore a helmet.

Also, mail persons wear shorts here in the summer, just above the knee, because it gets so blasted hot. They ride with the truck door open.

I still like dressier clothes for church. (I stick out of the crowd with them, though. Most of the people come in extremely casual clothes, and a lot of old geezer (guys in their 70s and 80s) wear Bermuda shorts with knee socks.
 
Todd_Easton said:
If your cycling clothes are too immodest to wear at Mass, perhaps they are simply too immodest to wear anywhere, even for cycling. Just a thought…
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As a road cyclist, this is not a helpful answer. Road cycling gear is purpose-designed, just like a speedo swimsuit is designed for a competitive swimmer. They are appropriate attire for their purpose: road cycling and competitive swimming.

If you look at the pics of the cyclists at Lourdes, their shorts come down to just above the knee, and their jerseys have short sleeves. The only possible immodesty is that they are tight, for aerodynamics. We roadies can hit pretty high speeds, I’ve hit 80 km/h (50 mph) on fast descents, and have topped 50 km/h (30 mph) on the flat in a sprint. Asking a cyclist to wear loose-fitting clothing won’t fly. The shorts are sufficiently padded to protect the delicate areas that in most cases they won’t be showing too much either.

Now is that appropriate for Mass? It depends really on circumstances/context.

Now if you are a casual cyclist, you can get padded shorts that look just like ordinary street shorts, with Bermuda-length legs, and breathable shirts that look just like street shirts. I have these for when I am riding casually in the city and want to look more discreet when say, going to a restaurant. But for serious road, mountain or gravel rides, I will be wearing appropriate gear.
 
A young girl comes to our church for weekday Mass wearing short shorts with an additional slit up the outside. I commented to my friend that this girl’s butt was almost hanging out. I also said that I hadn’t worn anything that short since I was 20, and we agreed that was about how old this girl is. Well, the church needs devout young people, and this girl is very sweet and very devout, so we decided that, yes, we are happy she comes so often to church, no matter what she is wearing.
 
ShastaRose said:
A young girl comes to our church for weekday Mass wearing short shorts with an additional slit up the outside. I commented to my friend that this girl’s butt was almost hanging out. I also said that I hadn’t worn anything that short since I was 20, and we agreed that was about how old this girl is. Well, the church needs devout young people, and this girl is very sweet and very devout, so we decided that, yes, we are happy she comes so often to church, no matter what she is wearing.
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I will agree with you based on what you are actually seeing; but, the operative words here are “no matter what she is wearing.” Perhaps some day her clothes will get more and more inappropriate for Mass. How much is “no matter what she is wearing?” A bathing suit thong? I agree with your “devout young people,” but I do not believe that the doors of respectful attire for Mass should be flung open so that young people feel that they can wear almost anything at Mass. Just look at what this girl’s attire did for you and your friend: judging her attire, talking about it, and gossip. I do hope that your conversation was not during before Mass Rosary! LOL!
 
Ask your priest. He may suggest a quick covering like baggy shorts or sweatpants, but above all he will be happy you are making an effort to go to daily Mass. I’m a runner and understand the advantages of proper attire. I also understand sweat. You may need to duck into the bathroom before mass to wipe down a bit anyway. Just jump into a pair of shorts while you are at it.
 
singingjameson said:
Do you all think that it would be at all appropriate to attend daily mass in a road cycling kit (jersey and shorts)? I know this is without a doubt pushing the boundaries of modesty in mass. Normally I would wear at least a collared shirt to even go to a church (mass, reconciliation, adoration, etc) so this is pretty far outside my comfort zone to consider.

Context: there’s a parish that has 8am mass right along one of my favorite cycling routes. I’m always looking for ways to make it to more daily masses, and this would be a great way to fit it into my schedule, especially once the school year starts. But I would absolutely not want to do this at the cost of respect for the liturgy and reverence for Christ in the Eucharist…
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I’ve never been to Mass in bicycling clothes. Don’t even own any, in fact.

But…

Some years back, before my children came along and I gave up motorcycles, I took many motorcycle trips all around the US, and even in Europe.

Sunday would roll around, and I’d find a church wherever I was. And since I was on a ride that might have been anywhere from two or three days long to two or three weeks, I’d have to go to Mass in what I was wearing, which was motorcycle clothing.

I’d show up at some local church where nobody knew me dressed all in leather, sometimes coated in bugs and dirt. That, plus I had then (still have) very long hair and a lot of tattoos, and I might not have shaved for days or weeks, so, well, I didn’t look like your typical churchgoer.

You know what? Nobody ever minded. And sometimes, after Mass, coming out of the church, people would see my New York license plate, and if I was at a church in Wyoming or Georgia or someplace not near New York, they’d ask about my trip, and invite me to the parish Sunday morning coffee and donuts get-together. It often ended up being a really nice part of the trip.

The point being, go to Mass wherever you are, however you’re dressed.

All will be well.
 
If you find yourself in this type of situation I recommend that you go to mass but sit in the back and try not to call attention to your self.
 
Inisfallen said:
The point being, go to Mass wherever you are, however you’re dressed.
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I used to always wear pants to Mass after I returned to the Faith after avery long absence instead of shorts during the warmer months. One day I was in my shorts, going to Adoration, but it was a Holy Day of Obligation and I didn’t know it. I saw someone I knew in the parking lot who told me about Mass that day, and I said I couldn’t go because I was in shorts. She said something about Jesus not minding, or something like that, so I went into Mass.
Know what? No one seemed to care and from then I wear shorts to Mass during the warmer months and again, no one seems to care.
 
No, Ron, it was my s-i-l, and we talked over supper. Yes, what you say is totally true, as far as “no matter what she is wearing.” I have to admit, I was only referring to what she has worn heretofore, which was short shorts. I did not extrapolate this into the future. She seems like a very decent person, so, although she could show up virtually naked next week, I would say it is highly improbable.

I wasn’t trying to be judgmental. It’s a different world now. I go to weekday Mass in denim, and even wore black jeans on Sunday. Back when I was a young person attending Lutheran church (in the Late Bronze Age), this attire would have had Pastor chucking us out on our ears. I really do like the new relaxed clothing rules.
 
ShastaRose said:
No, Ron, it was my s-i-l, and we talked over supper. Yes, what you say is totally true, as far as “no matter what she is wearing.” I have to admit, I was only referring to what she has worn heretofore, which was short shorts. I did not extrapolate this into the future. She seems like a very decent person, so, although she could show up virtually naked next week, I would say it is highly improbable.

I wasn’t trying to be judgmental. It’s a different world now. I go to weekday Mass in denim, and even wore black jeans on Sunday. Back when I was a young person attending Lutheran church (in the Late Bronze Age), this attire would have had Pastor chucking us out on our ears. I really do like the new relaxed clothing rules.
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No problem ShastaRose. We’re good. I was the one who extrapolated into the future because you really never know what you’ll see next. Yes, Mass attire has become quite relaxed these days, especially in warmer climate areas year round. I must admit that even I directing quite close to the steps of the Sanctuary am never in suit and tie, but dress pants and a long sleeve shirt (short sleeve or polo on occasion) only, no tie and dress shoes; kinda casual.

BTW, I too, as a youngin’ attended a Lutheran church in late bronze age as well! LOL!

Peace.
 
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If you scratch down far enough, you can always find the latent Lutheran. (“This is most certainly true.”)
 
If I saw a guy in his cycling outfit at Mass I wouldn’t bat an eye. I would say go just as you are…no one will look twice, at least around here.

If you’re uncomfortable, then slip on some baggy shorts or pants, as others suggested.

But I think Jesus will just be glad that you came at all. 😊
 
ShowersofRoses said:
If I saw a guy in his cycling outfit at Mass I wouldn’t bat an eye. I would say go just as you are…no one will look twice, at least around here.
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Maybe not a bat an eye, but a wink? LOL! Just joking with ya!
ShowersofRoses said:
If you’re uncomfortable, then slip on some baggy shorts or pants, as others suggested.
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Agree. I think that is the common answer here.

Side Note: I just mentioned this thread to my wife. She read some of my answers and disagreed with me and took the side of many of you who say, “come as you are.” She added, we should not judge her, nor her taste in clothes or lack there of!
 
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Although I think your idea of going to mass more frequently is solid, we are in the presence of our lord while at mass, if possible dress your best!
 
i am glad to see young males at Mass; if they wear “bicycle clothes” (gag); so be it; at least the “bicycle boys” are attending…
 
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“Come as you are” is great if you have the inability to dress nicer. Just remember that when at mass we are before the king of kings, and although he may not care how we dress, I want to do everything in my power to show respect, honor and love to him who sacrificed for me. If that means wearing pants in hot weather so be it, if that means packing extra clothes on a bike ride so be it.
 
I have certain standards that I apply to myself when I attend Liturgy. I like to dress up. But, that’s me. I’m also at a point in my life where I’m over concerning myself with what other people wear. I may not like it, but oh well. Does God like it? I don’t know; but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t like me sitting in judgement of others. That’s above my paygrade. Each person is responsible for him/herself, and if any type of dress is really inappropriate, I would leave it to the pastor to address it.

Life becomes a lot more pleasant when we keep our eyes on our own papers…
 
I can see both sides to this discussion. May I suggest a simple solution: ask the priest who normally says that mass?
 
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