Saddle Sores

Toby Barrett <[email hidden]> wrote:

: As I've stepped up the frequency, I've started to suffer from soreness
: in the obvious place. I always wear padded cycling shorts (although
: some are a bit old).

Assuming you just mean saddle sores and that you're not getting any
other problems

1) Bin all your old shorts and buy some new ones (or at least, bin
the oldest ones). Buy good quality ones. Endura fit me well, but that's
personal.

2) Make sure you take a clean set of shorts for the journey home.

3) Sudocreme is apparently good, slathered on short, but I've never
tried anything like that myself.

I had problems once which went away when I binned my two oldest pairs
of shorts.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org
"Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

Quoted message said:

I've tried 3 different saddles (a Bodgy Geometry Sport, a San Marco
Rolls, and a cheapie WTB one). The first two have been used without
problem on long rides (up to about 70 miles in the past, including
short tours). Pretty sure my position on the saddle is correct; i.e.
supporting the weight on the sit bones.

I recommend a Brooks saddle. Relatively expensive, but very comfortable
(once you break it in) because it molds to your shape. Synthetics are
generally bad for areas that sweat, so perhaps being full leather is an
advantage, but I can't be scientific about it.

One disadvantage is that the saddles aren't waterproof, but you can cover
them in the wet.

Will H said:

I recommend a Brooks saddle. Relatively expensive, but very comfortable
(once you break it in) because it molds to your shape.

Up to a point, Lord Copper. A Brooks has to be more or less the right
shape to start with AFAICT. I like them a lot and have 3 on various
bikes, but they're not for everyone. If you try one and it seems about
right in the shape department there's a good chance it'll be as
comfortable a saddle as you'll find anywhere, but IMHO the "it'll be the
same shape as you eventually" approach is just asking for a lot of
unnecessary discomfort. They moulding means they should start off good
and end up great, rather than start off ghastly and end up tolerable.

But I'd try a seat on one and see if the shape does feel right. They
are disproportionately popular for a product that's heavier than a
modern saddle, needs more care and looks like it could double as a
cricket bat when you pick one up in the shop, and the reason for that is
they have a well deserved reputation for comfort, at least amongst
people they're suited to.

Quoted message said:

One disadvantage is that the saddles aren't waterproof, but you can cover
them in the wet.

I've never really found this to be a problem. It gets wet and, later on,
it gets dry again! Proofide them (bottom as well if it's an MTB) once
every while and that'll keep them fine. The only real problem with wet
leather is make sure you don't force dry it, or walking boots would be
onto a bit of a loser being made of the stuff...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Toby Barrett said:

As I've stepped up the frequency, I've started to suffer from soreness
in the obvious place. I always wear padded cycling shorts (although
some are a bit old).

Saddle sores are actually acne like boils, I am assuming you mean you get a
sore [censored]. If you are suffering from boils you need to attend to your
hygene. The warmth and moisture down there is a breeding ground for
bacteria. Keep the area clean, use anti bacterial soap, use wet wipes before
you ride and use clean shorts whenever possible. Once off the bike change
into clean clothes asap.

For the other type of soreness, rub the affected area with cotton wool
dabbed in surgical spirit. Use good quality shorts and a comfortable saddle.

Toby Barrett said:

Perhaps the panel can help with my rather delicate problem! I've been
cycling for years, but recently my job has moved further away and I
can no longer cycle everyday. I aim for once or twice a week. The
round trip is 50 miles.

As I've stepped up the frequency, I've started to suffer from soreness
in the obvious place. I always wear padded cycling shorts (although
some are a bit old).

I've tried 3 different saddles (a Bodgy Geometry Sport, a San Marco
Rolls, and a cheapie WTB one). The first two have been used without
problem on long rides (up to about 70 miles in the past, including
short tours). Pretty sure my position on the saddle is correct; i.e.
supporting the weight on the sit bones. I attend to hygiene throughly
in the important area. I've even tried pinching some of my daughter
nappy cream.

The problem still occurs. Any ideas?

Thanks

Toby

PS. I do not have the money or room to get a recumbent!

Make sure the shorts are large enough (ie, padding actually extends far
enough around the leg etc!) and then try slathering on some Assos
chamois cream. It's amazing stuff. I can do 20 miles and start feeling
a bit pre-sore, or slather that on and do 60 and not a hint of sore.

Not only is the assos stuff good for stopping chafing, but it's also
antibac etc too, and natural rather than chemical, apparently.

Be warned though, it has menthol etc in so does feel a bit cold
initially, but in the hot weather that's bliss!

--

Velvet

Quoted message said:

Saddle sores are actually acne like boils, I am assuming you mean you get

a

Quoted message said:

sore [censored]. If you are suffering from boils you need to attend to your
hygene.

true but they are often brought on by pressure and friction due to poorly
fitting shorts (seam placement,
too tight, etc.) or changes in saddle position that cause pressure. Once you
have compromised flesh,
the bacteria invade and do their thing. Irritation from rubbing can cause
and ingrown hair and that can lead to a saddle sore too. Keeping clean
alone will not stop them--you do need to protect your flesh from friction
and pressure. Nappy cream helps to treat after the damage is done.

I had a problem with saddle sores after switching to a woman's saddle--a
little wider nose. When I changed back to my Flite, they healed nicely,
along with the nappy cream regimen.

Another thing that helps is getting out of the saddle more frequently on
long rides to give your bum a rest/change. Just shift to big chain ring and
stand for a little while.

Good luck!
ie

"Martin 'MSeries' Newstead" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Toby Barrett said:

As I've stepped up the frequency, I've started to suffer from soreness
in the obvious place. I always wear padded cycling shorts (although
some are a bit old).

Saddle sores are actually acne like boils, I am assuming you mean you get

a

Quoted message said:

sore [censored]. If you are suffering from boils you need to attend to your
hygene. The warmth and moisture down there is a breeding ground for
bacteria. Keep the area clean, use anti bacterial soap, use wet wipes

before

Quoted message said:

you ride and use clean shorts whenever possible. Once off the bike change
into clean clothes asap.

For the other type of soreness, rub the affected area with cotton wool
dabbed in surgical spirit. Use good quality shorts and a comfortable

saddle.

Quoted message said:

Peter Clinch said:

Will H said:

I recommend a Brooks saddle. Relatively expensive, but very comfortable
(once you break it in) because it molds to your shape.

Up to a point, Lord Copper. A Brooks has to be more or less the right
shape to start with AFAICT. I like them a lot and have 3 on various
bikes, but they're not for everyone.

Too true. I tried a B17 and didn't get on with it at all. When an item
is 'pushed' on this NG [in the best possible sense], it's very
tempting to try it out. 'Everybody uses them so they must be good'.
Well everybody doesn't use them and they 'might' be just the ticket
for you. Just got to try these things out. Another example is the
Zefal HPX pumps. Well I bought one of those too....and it's brilliant.

Garry

Quoted message said:

If you try one and it seems about
right in the shape department there's a good chance it'll be as
comfortable a saddle as you'll find anywhere, but IMHO the "it'll be the
same shape as you eventually" approach is just asking for a lot of
unnecessary discomfort. They moulding means they should start off good
and end up great, rather than start off ghastly and end up tolerable.

But I'd try a seat on one and see if the shape does feel right. They
are disproportionately popular for a product that's heavier than a
modern saddle, needs more care and looks like it could double as a
cricket bat when you pick one up in the shop, and the reason for that is
they have a well deserved reputation for comfort, at least amongst
people they're suited to.

Quoted message said:

One disadvantage is that the saddles aren't waterproof, but you can cover
them in the wet.

I've never really found this to be a problem. It gets wet and, later on,
it gets dry again! Proofide them (bottom as well if it's an MTB) once
every while and that'll keep them fine. The only real problem with wet
leather is make sure you don't force dry it, or walking boots would be
onto a bit of a loser being made of the stuff...

Pete.

Quoted message said:

Perhaps the panel can help with my rather delicate problem! I've been
cycling for years, but recently my job has moved further away and I
can no longer cycle everyday. I aim for once or twice a week. The
round trip is 50 miles.

As I've stepped up the frequency, I've started to suffer from soreness
in the obvious place. I always wear padded cycling shorts (although
some are a bit old).

I've tried 3 different saddles (a Bodgy Geometry Sport, a San Marco
Rolls, and a cheapie WTB one). The first two have been used without
problem on long rides (up to about 70 miles in the past, including
short tours). Pretty sure my position on the saddle is correct; i.e.
supporting the weight on the sit bones. I attend to hygiene throughly
in the important area. I've even tried pinching some of my daughter
nappy cream.

The problem still occurs. Any ideas?

Not really no, but I got a pretty bad sore [censored] after the Dunwich
Dynamo at the weekend, but I'd put that down to thinking that 120
miles is the same as 60, where ordinary shorts and a gel cover cause
me no problems whatsoever! Luckily it was only during the last 25
miles or so it was just about tolerable.....just. Naively, I was kind
of surprised, 'what's going on here, never suffered from this
before?'. Never done 120 miles either.
Sometimes there's a reason for the 'right gear'.

You might have to lay off the trip for a while until you're 'all
healed up', and then try again with some decent shorts.

Quoted message said:

PS. I do not have the money or room to get a recumbent!

lol.....wonder how many replies this stopped :-)

Garry

"garryb59" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Too true. I tried a B17 and didn't get on with it at all.

Whereas I tried _exactly_ the same saddle, and am getting on with it quite
well :-)

It's still strange swapping between that and the narrower ones on my other
bikes though - neither seem more uncomfortable long term, it's just odd.

cheers,
clive

Clive George said:

"garryb59" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Too true. I tried a B17 and didn't get on with it at all.

Whereas I tried _exactly_ the same saddle, and am getting on with it quite
well :-)

Good, glad it's working out ok.

Garry

Quoted message said:

It's still strange swapping between that and the narrower ones on my other
bikes though - neither seem more uncomfortable long term, it's just odd.

cheers,
clive

Toby Barrett said:

garryb59 <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

You might have to lay off the trip for a while until you're 'all
healed up', and then try again with some decent shorts.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I've just binned my oldest couple of pairs of shorts (ones I still
wear a lot) and will investigate the various creams mentioned.

Lay off the ride? Not sure I can manage that!

Toby

FWIW I have not used creams for years. I ride up to 200km at a time often
day after day. Cleanliness, decent quality shorts and lots of riding works
for me.

garryb59 <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

You might have to lay off the trip for a while until you're 'all
healed up', and then try again with some decent shorts.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I've just binned my oldest couple of pairs of shorts (ones I still wear a
lot) and will investigate the various creams mentioned.

Lay off the ride? Not sure I can manage that!

Toby

Martin 'MSeries' Newstead said:

Toby Barrett said:

garryb59 <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

You might have to lay off the trip for a while until you're 'all
healed up', and then try again with some decent shorts.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I've just binned my oldest couple of pairs of shorts (ones I still
wear a lot) and will investigate the various creams mentioned.

Lay off the ride? Not sure I can manage that!

Toby

FWIW I have not used creams for years. I ride up to 200km at a time often
day after day. Cleanliness, decent quality shorts and lots of riding works
for me.

:-)

I think it must vary from bum to bum. I only found it was possible to
avoid chafing by the addition of the chamois cream. The shorts aren't
cheap ones by any means, and have always got good reviews. Even brand
new, washed once, washed 10 times, I get chafing. Larger shorts helped
once I realised the previous ones had shrunk (or sat different now I'm
getting thigh muscles) but still didn't eliminate the chafing.

After 10 miles a day every day (well, 5 days a week) and a 40-50 mile on
the 6th day for a few weeks the chafing was still there.

Add chamois cream and hey presto, no chafing. And I washed my shorts
every time I used them - no fabric conditioner, mild detergent, etc etc.

--

Velvet

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

PS. I do not have the money or room to get a recumbent!

lol.....wonder how many replies this stopped :-)

Actually, I didn't even read the OP as it said saddle sores, and I don't
have a saddle 🙂
--
..paul

If at first you don't succeed...
Skydiving is probably not the sport for you.

paul said:

Actually, I didn't even read the OP as it said saddle sores, and I
don't have a saddle 🙂

I once managed to get one while not riding on a saddle. The shorts - brand
spanking new ones too - were to blame.

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
===========================================================

Toby Barrett <[email hidden]> of Virgin Net Usenet

Service said:

garryb59 <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

You might have to lay off the trip for a while until you're 'all
healed up', and then try again with some decent shorts.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I've just binned my oldest couple of pairs of shorts (ones I still wear a
lot) and will investigate the various creams mentioned.

Hope you've got lots of new pairs of shorts. To stop your shorts
reinfecting you, a clean pair for *every* ride is required, so that means 2
clean pairs a day for commuting.
--
Every man thinks God is on his side.
The rich and powerful know he is. - Jean Anouilh
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

In message <[email hidden]>, Velvet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

then try slathering on some Assos chamois cream. It's amazing stuff.

Presumably it does what it says on the tin.

--
congokid
Good restaurants in London? Number one on Google
http://congokid.com

congokid said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Velvet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

then try slathering on some Assos chamois cream. It's amazing stuff.

Presumably it does what it says on the tin.

Given it means I can do 60 miles and not get any chafing at all, yet 20
miles and the chafing is just about to get started, yes, it does :-)

--

Velvet