Saddle Sores

[voicycle]

It's an interesting question. It might depend on the nature of the washing machine, detergent used, type of bibshort, nature of bacteria, etc. as to whether bacteria will survive after washing. It is entirely possible that hanging up bibshorts inside out and allowing them to fully dry would stop the growth of bacteria (as opposed to leaving them balled up in a laundry basket).Washing a couple hours after riding vs several days may make no difference provided they have been hung up after the ride. Sounds like it's no problem in your situation, I'd stick with it if it works for you.Certainly washing immediately is the best option, but as you note it is wasteful and not exactly kind to the environment.

In my experience on the odd occasion where a bibs have been left for a few days prior to washing, nothing bad has happened. No funky odors, discoloration, skin irritation, etc. FWIW I don't sweat much and I am a heavy user of chamois cream - no idea of how this factors in to the equation.

+1 for this. I think it's more about the conditions your shorts are in between riding and washing than about the amount of time that passes. Mine get hung up inside out overnight before they go in the laundry basket and that's always been plenty to keep them working well. I'm also a non-chamois creme user and don't notice any difference in cleanliness/longevity of shorts compared to when I used to use creme regularly.

--

Related tip that may be helpful for some but definitely won't suit everybody: end of season is the best time to try coming off of chamois creme.

I never understood how some people could go without chamois creme - it just seemed incomprehensible to me and when I tried riding without it things were awful. Then I got thinking about how the only thing better than lubricated/low-friction is no-friction so I quit using creme one year after my off-season and was really gradual about ramping up my saddle time as I started training again. That was the trick to adapting. Haven't used any during-ride product since. I still get irritation if I ride in the rain or on very long days but some of the basic aftercare tips from earlier in this thread always sort me out pretty quickly.

So if you're a chamois creme user and want to try riding without it you can't just stop using it cold turkey - there's a reconditioning process to get your skin accustomed to it. Sizing down your shorts might also help - all my best experiences are in almost-too-small bibs because there's no room for them to move around.

[FIJIGabe]

Also, don't just take off your bibs - wash them. Letting the bibs sit more than a couple of days with sweat in the pad, will lead to bacteria formation, which washing won't completely remove. Don't linger in them - take off the bibs and wash them.

Sorry for ressurecting an old thread, but is this true? I usually hang all my cycling clothes to dry for 24h before piling them up so I can wash a week worth of cycling clothes at the same time. Running a washing machine for just 1 pair of bibs, a jersey and a pair of socks is not exactly economical/ecological.

I usually ride with my wife, so 2 sets of everything, plus her sports bras. Additionally, we have a very efficient washer, which automatically detects the load size and reduces water useage. The most we'll go is through the weekend, washing on Sunday when we get back from our ride. The key is to avoid lingering around wearing the bibs. If you're wearing it for an extended period of time, that's when saddle sores can form.

[steve028]

I mean off the bike, not under your shorts! If I seen someone wearing undies under cycling shorts I would give them a wedgie.

[ncornelisse]

I had some serious saddle problems, but after some sessions with a tennisball the pain is gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3flN43z-EQ

The first 3 times it hurts so bad, almost tears, but now, the pain in the glutes is gone.

[Dannnnn]

Got my first sore at the weekend. Never had one before but spent 7 hours on the bike (compared the longest being 3.5/4hrs before). Half the problem was the last 3 hrs were flat and onto a big headwind, so i was tucked as low as possible and didn't morve around on the saddle much.

My plan is a few days off and antiseptic cream on it, seems to be getting better but still hurts a bit.

[eli76141]

I've just run through this topic, and it seems the general advice is:

1) ride good quality bibs
2) ride correct size bibs
3) ride correct positioned saddle
4) don't linger in your bibs postride
5) wash your bibs after every ride
6) use chamois creme either on bibs or on skin
7) if saddle sore develops use some sort of antibacterial cream

Am I forgetting anything?

I always follow all of the above and still get saddle sores. I even mix up different saddles now and then.

[basilic]

Re 6: the cream goes on your skin, and should be rubbed in a bit. It helps the skin resist abrasions and bacterial entry. It won't do the job on the chamois. Just like for people who are in a wheelchair.

[Mr.Gib]

I've just run through this topic, and it seems the general advice is:

1) ride good quality bibs
2) ride correct size bibs
3) ride correct positioned saddle
4) don't linger in your bibs postride
5) wash your bibs after every ride
6) use chamois creme either on bibs or on skin
7) if saddle sore develops use some sort of antibacterial cream

Am I forgetting anything?

I always follow all of the above and still get saddle sores. I even mix up different saddles now and then.

What kind of sores? Abrasion type from chaffing, or painful bumps like cysts?
The former suggests movement and the latter too much pressure on a particular spot. If it's abrasion it's best to find the source of the movement. Failing that load up with chamois cream (see below). If it's the latter go for more padding. Assos GTS are worth a try. And new bibshorts can make a big difference. If they have a lot of miles on them don't use them for long rides. Experimenting with different saddles can also solve it but that can be a super expensive rabbit hole.

Re 6: the cream goes on your skin, and should be rubbed in a bit. It helps the skin resist abrasions and bacterial entry. It won't do the job on the chamois. Just like for people who are in a wheelchair.

Disagree on this. If you have a problem go all out. Thick layer on the chamois and a good smear of it on your ass. If should feel like you are sitting in a cold pudding when you first pull on your bibs. Carry extra with you and reapply every 3 hours if doing long rides. Petroleum jelly based vitamin e ointment can be applied to the skin first as a moisture barrier of sorts.

[basilic]

painful bumps like cysts? ... too much pressure on a particular spot.

If you have a problem go all out. Thick layer on the chamois and a good smear of it on your ass. If should feel like you are sitting in a cold pudding when you first pull on your bibs.

let's be careful about medical advice on the internet. Most (painful or inflamed) bumps will be due to infection of a hair follicle or sebaceous gland, within the skin. When that happens stop riding; it can heal on its own or may require medical treatment.

When I suggested using cream on the skin it was for prevention, not to treat an existing problem.

Some reading here https://www.sportsmedtoday.com/saddle-sores-va-30.htm

[Kubackjeee]

This may be shock for many, but it is the best chamois cream I've ever used and nothing comes close

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eutra-Tetina-1 ... B000ORXZA6

[EdWiser]

This may be shock for many, but it is the best chamois cream I've ever used and nothing comes close

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eutra-Tetina-1 ... B000ORXZA6

This is the same as Bag Balm.

https://a.co/d/0r87R9V

[Kubackjeee]

This may be shock for many, but it is the best chamois cream I've ever used and nothing comes close

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eutra-Tetina-1 ... B000ORXZA6

This is the same as Bag Balm.

https://a.co/d/0r87R9V

Did not try the one you showed. For now I am happy with the one I got it helped me get rid of all painful spots I've had down under. It has nice antibacterial properties.

[grizzles]

I've not been cycling for too long and have fortunately only had 1 saddlesore, which was due to a poorly fitted saddle.

Occasionally on longer rides, audaxes over 300km, the skin at the top of each leg has felt a little sore or hot. I've later come to realise this is due to bibs slipping a bit with sweat and the friction rubbing.

Equally, as I continue to lose weight, my bibs have become slightly too large. This change to the fit could also have contributed to the friction.

[eli76141]

What kind of sores? Abrasion type from chaffing, or painful bumps like cysts?
The former suggests movement and the latter too much pressure on a particular spot. If it's abrasion it's best to find the source of the movement. Failing that load up with chamois cream (see below). If it's the latter go for more padding. Assos GTS are worth a try. And new bibshorts can make a big difference. If they have a lot of miles on them don't use them for long rides. Experimenting with different saddles can also solve it but that can be a super expensive rabbit hole.

Painful bumps. I've tried all of the above except Assos GTS, I will give them a go. Thanks.

[Mr.Gib]

What kind of sores? Abrasion type from chaffing, or painful bumps like cysts?
The former suggests movement and the latter too much pressure on a particular spot. If it's abrasion it's best to find the source of the movement. Failing that load up with chamois cream (see below). If it's the latter go for more padding. Assos GTS are worth a try. And new bibshorts can make a big difference. If they have a lot of miles on them don't use them for long rides. Experimenting with different saddles can also solve it but that can be a super expensive rabbit hole.

Painful bumps. I've tried all of the above except Assos GTS, I will give them a go. Thanks.

Slow getting back here - sorry. I had this affliction off and on for about a year following a season in which I rode more than 30,000km. I assumed the excessive saddle time did some tissue damage that made me vulnerable. I ride a bit less now and have switched to a softer padded saddle and have had no problems for about two years. I did once read an article that described these strange cycling cysts - can't locate it now but the article noted that the first sign is a tiny red bump on the skin surface that is disproportionately painful for what is little more than a red dot on your skin. Then, a few days later a "cyst" forms much deeper under the skin. I didn't always get the red dot first, sometime a hard mass under the skin about the size of half a pea would just form. It was interesting that it wasn't always under the sit bones but it was in the area. I don't think these bumps were any kind of infection. No redness and only sitting on it would cause discomfort. A bacterial infection would likely have triggered discomfort off the bike. Neither did it appear that any in-grown hair or hair folicle issue was involved. It's weird.

As for a solution, the smart move is don't ride. If you catch the problem early they can disappear in a few days. Other times they can persist for several weeks. What you want to avoid is toughing it out and having one of these things really get huge like the size of a big grape. On occasion when I have had no choice but to ride, I have gone with double bibshorts. That's double Assos, so a serious level of padding. I figure that if I can't feel it I am not doing much damage. I once had one resolve itself after a couple of days of riding in double bibshorts. As an ongoing precaution, I also use a heavy layer of chamois cream at all times and re-apply after 4 hours. Another tactic is to use an Infinity saddle. They look strange but completely eliminate the problem and are very comfortable for most people. It is not a coincedence that many RAAM competitors use them. I have a spare if you want one. Ultimately if you stay off the bike these things will be re-absorbed by the body.