Hot spot suggestions

[Scott Allen]

Hello,

I'm looking for suggestions on dealing with hot spots, chafing and raw spots.

Even when using chamois creams I find that I always end up with irritation in the seat area some times so bad that I will actually have signs of bleeding on the inside of my cycling pants.  I have tried alternating my position on the seat, alternating some standing with sitting to give everything a break, but it doesn't seem to matter.  By the time I'm 40 miles into any ride, I'm already looking forward to the end of the ride and then I'm too uncomfortable to get in any real riding over the following few day.

Any suggestions on how to deal with or eliminate this?  I have seen suggestions of a second set of cycling shorts, is there anything else that might help?
I was thinking of using some of the thinner triathlon shorts under my regular cycling shorts to see if that would help.

 

Scott

[David Buzzee]

Saddle which supports on sit bones; proper bike fit: standard first lines of defense. Good luck! Some folks try several different saddles before finding the sweet one. Perhaps lowering the saddle just a bit if the chafing is due to hips rocking from side to side.

 

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[Rick Martyn]

Perhaps you just need MORE chamois cream.  I find a liberal initial amount of Bag Balm (avail at most Walgreens) does the trick for me.  If I start feeling any rubbing/hot spots I apply additional Bag Balm right away before anything gets worse.

Good Luck,

Rick Martyn

Pleasant Hill, CA

[Susan Otcenas]

Chafing happens when two things (shorts and butt) rub against one another.    Your shorts are almost certainly too big (either because you bought them that way, or the spandex has given up the ghost).   Buy a pair snug enough so that there will be no opportunity for butt and chamois to move in opposition to each other ---> no chafing.

 

FWIW, I see an awful lot of men with shorts that are either too big or are worn out enough that the Lycra/Spandex has no recovery anymore.   Your shorts should fit snugly to your body even when in an upright (standing) position.  If they are sagging, if the chamois is pulling away from your backside, or there is excess rippling of material (when standing, that is. When riding, shorts should be completely smouth against your backside), they are too big and/or worn out and should be replaced.

 

Susan

 

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From: ran...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ran...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Allen
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 8:51 AM
To: ran...@googlegroups.com

Subject: [Randon] Hot spot suggestions

--

[sekhem313]

Ouch we've all been there...   Work with a fitter, try a new saddle or a different brand of shorts to avoid having the problem in the first place.   Basic chaffing prevention-  for an over the counter solution try the best diaper rash crème you can find (like Desitin, not the cheep stuff).  You want a product with the most zinc in it.  The goal is to keep the area dry.  A product like petroleum jelly does just the opposite- it retains moisture and can aggravate the problem.  If you experience pain I highly recommend that you avoid lidocaine or benzocaine.  Most of the OTC products are absorbable and can have central nervous system effects  and can be toxic with chronic/high dosing (generally a bad thing if you're on a 90hr/1200k ride).  Local application of a product like Neosporin plus (containing paramoxin) can be helpful.  Also avoid dosing with NSAIDS (advil, Tylenol) to manage saddle pain on extremely long rides (you're likely to be riding in a highly dehydrated state and taking NSAIDS even at the recommended dosage might mean that you are exposing your organs and brain to potentially hazardous doses)   good luck t --- On Tue, 5/21/13, Scott Allen <sall...@pacbell.net> wrote:

From: Scott Allen <sall...@pacbell.net> Subject: [Randon] Hot spot suggestions

[Alan Walker]

Relative movement between shorts and skin - chafing.  Relative movment between shorts and saddle - no chafing.  I always check that the outside of shorts slides easily on the saddle* and that the inside of the shorts grips the skin**.

 

*Pick up the shorts, walk over to the nearest bike, press the shorts hard onto the saddle and try to slide them over the saddle. 

 

** Turn the shorts inside out, press the padding onto the soft skin inside your forearm and try to slide the padding across your skin.

 

In each test, you will find a wide range of friction.

----- Original Message -----

From: Scott Allen

To: ran...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 1:50 AM

Subject: [Randon] Hot spot suggestions

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[Jeff Arasmith]

Alan,

I like that test.  I've assumed that was the case because of the following anecdotal information.  I completed my first SR series on a Fizik saddle with chamois cream and some definite wear and tear on my skin on a difficult 600k.   I completed my second SR series on a Brooks saddle with little or no chamois cream, an easier 600k, and the experience of the previous SR series.  Since Brooks saddles need to be tipped up more than others, I can infer that they are slipperier.  I think I've moved the friction from between shorts and skin to shorts and saddle.  

I think the key is a slick saddle, which I think is a generic feature of leather saddles.   I would be willing to try saddles other than Brooks, but I doubt I'd try one that isn't leather.  I use VO Saddle Care, and I think it or a similar product is critical to continued success.

My shorts have also been of progressively higher quality, so that is a factor that may be significant but was not factored into my conviction that leather saddles are the bee's knees.

More than 2 cents,

Jeff A.