+1 for the "whatever works for you is right" approach.
Rides up to about 40 miles (I'm a trundler so that'll be well over 3 hours) I don't bother with padded shorts and trust to my personalised (i.e., a few years on it) Brooks B17, some stretchy leggings and good base-layer undies (usually Rohan briefs of some description, flat seams, stretchy wicking material) aimed at general outdoor pursuits but not specifically cycling.
Rides over 40 miles I'll be on my recumbent, and have a comfy armchair that renders all these silly contrived trousers irrelevant.
Rides up to 20 miles I pay no attention to special clothes, but my default choice of clothes is pretty well suited to active travel with good freedom of movement and no chafing.
The padded shorts are saved for a session on the unicycle or the rare occasions I'm doing something Sporty, particularly on a hired bike. I don't wear anything under them.
Pete.
Padded Cycling Shorts - What Do You Wear Under - How Often Do You Wash
Re: Padded Cycling Shorts - What Do You Wear Under - How Often Do You Wash
Often seen riding a bike around Dundee...