Cycling Lingo 102

CHAMOIS TIME

cha*mois time [sham'ee tahym]

alternate spellings: shammy time, chammy time

A cycling expression referring to training. The term derives its name from the junk-protecting fabric that lines lycra cycling shorts. Though not technically chamois (being leather), the fabric bears its name on account of its soft, pliable nature. 

While the term is intended to reference training time spent 'in the saddle', it can also refer to the disturbing and unhygienic practice of continued wearing of cycling shorts 'out of the saddle'. Some have postulated that the body can be 'tricked' into thinking it is training by the mere presence of chamois. This theory has not been supported scientifically.