I registered just to ask this question...

Hi everyone. I've been thinking of registering for a while, but this last week has brought me a question I just can't ask anyone else. My cycling "guru" is an ex semi-professional rider, but is a man and I'm not going to ask him - especially since I'm working on getting him to be a bit more than my guru!

Ok - so I've always only had pretty cheap knicks in the past. They've had a HUGE chamois and I've been happy to ride them without undies.

I spent some money on good knicks finally and the chamois is better quality, but also doesn't cover the "bikini area" at the front like the cheaper ones did. By that, I mean the pubic hair.

Now my problem - It's like the way that if you wear pantyhose when your legs are a bit hairy and the hairs sort of poke out through the hose. Yep, classy chick that I am, some of my pubic hair is kind of poking out through the lycra! :o
See why I couldn't ask the guru!

I'm not a waxing girl, but I keep my hair trimmed short and tidy which helps, but doesn't completely stop the problem. It's also made worse by the fact that most knicks are black and - well, I'm a natural blonde.

Maybe a bit much for my first post but I hope somone can help with a solution if there is one.

color it bright red just for fun!!! :D just kidding.

you may have to shave or trim a bit more or try finding a different pair of shorts where you don't have this problem.

I'd suggest either letting the hair grow longer or trying different shorts. Never heard of or saw anyone else with this problem.

Thanks girls - gives me some ideas and means I don't freak out my guru!

I'll try shorter and longer hair options and also be a lot more mindful of the situation next time I buy knicks.

You never know, your "guru" might be able to identify. I seem to recall a letter on the exact same subject written in to either Bicycling Magazine or Mountain Bike mag by a male rider ;)

I suspect the problem will disappear with thicker quality shorts.

That's so odd... I have never bought/tried on a pair of cycling shorts that didn't cover the area where my pubic hair is.

Although, I do keep mine... uuummm... down to the "area". Gosh, not sure how to say it. I don't wax... just shave... and I don't shave between the legs... as that has cause me some serious issues in the past with cycling/sweat.

Maybe I just gave too much information?

Moral of the story: Go buy some shorts that cover your pubic hair, so it won't show.

I'm a huge supporter of the Brazilian wax.

You can pay $80 for a professional to do it, or you can buy a kit for $16 at Sally's Beauty Supply and have a close friend yank away at your stuff.

Not only that, but it lasts about 6 weeks. r00f.

Hmmmm...

You say you keep it trimmed right?? Well maybe that's the problem. Your hair is SHARP when it's cut or shaved (stubble) and this maybe what you hair needs to push through the lycra. Waxed hair has to grow back from the START therefore is a little more WHISPY and less likely to come through.

Let it grow or wax it off I say.

Minty, given you're in Oz, can I offer a suggestion - Ground Effect knicks (from NZ, mail order only, about $AUD78) They are reasonably thick lycra and I can guarantee you won't get pubic hair poking through (not that I have had this problem, but my husband has)

I don't have any women's specific shorts, and have found them fine - and what mens shorts have over womens is more padding up higher at the front...

That could be one thing to try.

yikes... i never even thought to check :eek: :o :eek: :o

Last night I rode in my old knicks that I didn't think I'd had this problem with, but I looked down and lo-and-behold - I'm looking like a pin cusion in them too! Hilarious!

I'm wondering if most people get this happening, but it's only us fair haired folks who ever really see it? I'm only talking a milimetre or two, but if you're blonde it really shows.

I'm not going near any wax, so I might just try different 'hairstyles' and see how I go. Or, I could just ride so fast that I'm a blur and nobody can see me anyway! (Have to work on that one).

Just to clarify in response to a few comments above, it's not the knicks that don't cover the pubic area, it's the chamois/fabric thickness. But then, I don't want to feel like I'm riding in a nappy so I think a chamois high at the front would be uncomfortable.

Also, not wanting to ask the guru because I have sneaky plans for him - should they work out he'll find out soon enough what's under the knicks. Can't go spoiling things for him can I? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Minty

I'm not going near any wax, so I might just try different 'hairstyles' and see how I go..

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LOL - cant say I blame you YIKES that stuff hurts. One of the ladies here at TE (sorry cant remember who) mentioned in a previous thread awhile ago about using hair conditioner on the pubic hair while in the shower. I think it was for this exact problem.

Hey cant hurt to give it a try. Hope it helps and good luck with the guru.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Minty

I'm not going near any wax, so I might just try different 'hairstyles' and see how I go.

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Ever thought about just shaving it all off? Use some peroxide on your no no cha cha afterwards to prevent those red shaving bumps.

Why such a wax hater? Wax is (y)our friend.

I'm anti-wax because there are some places I just don't want to have stubbly regrowth! Also, I'd rather spend the money on presents for my bike (yep - tragic).

I was thinking slightly looser knicks could be the go, but it would be a matter of balancing this with a close fit that will avoid the fabric of the knicks wrinkling and pinching between me and the saddle.

Now I've started thinking about it, I'm just coming up with funny solutions - like a cricketer's "box". I think it's called a "cup" in the US - sports protection for fellas. I wouldn't have to worry about a stray blonde hair because everyone would be too disturbed about the mystery bulge!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Meg McKilty

I'm a huge supporter of the Brazilian wax.

You can pay $80 for a professional to do it, or you can buy a kit for $16 at Sally's Beauty Supply and have a close friend yank away at your stuff.

Not only that, but it lasts about 6 weeks. r00f.

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LMAO... have a friend yank it? :eek: NO WAY!

Yea, I got waxed... ONCE! I made the mistake of my first bikini wax being in India (yes, India!). It was so cheap, I couldn't pass it up.

OMG!!!! THE PAIN! Was unbelieveable. I was seriously BLEEDING from the hair folicals. Let me tell you, my hair DID NOT want to GO!

Then, I had stubble 3 days later. What a waste! :mad:

And, all those open hair folicals... produced small, white ***** pimples. It was so gross. :(

So, no waxing... ever again. No thanks. Shaving everyday is fine by me.

I have to agree...waxing sounds too painful to me! Yikes! I am also a blonde, but I haven't had this problem. Now I am definitely going to think about it before buying shorts! I think shaving is probably your best bet. The only problem is, if you don't maintain it the stubble will poke through...this really is quite a problem. Good luck with the guru!!! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Minty

Now I've started thinking about it, I'm just coming up with funny solutions - like a cricketer's "box". I think it's called a "cup" in the US - sports protection for fellas. I wouldn't have to worry about a stray blonde hair because everyone would be too disturbed about the mystery bulge!

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Hilarious! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KSH

LMAO... have a friend yank it? :eek: NO WAY!

Yea, I got waxed... ONCE! I made the mistake of my first bikini wax being in India (yes, India!). It was so cheap, I couldn't pass it up.

OMG!!!! THE PAIN! Was unbelieveable. I was seriously BLEEDING from the hair folicals. Let me tell you, my hair DID NOT want to GO!

Then, I had stubble 3 days later. What a waste! :mad:

And, all those open hair folicals... produced small, white ***** pimples. It was so gross. :(

So, no waxing... ever again. No thanks. Shaving everyday is fine by me.

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Yeah, yo, it's cheaper that way. I was supposed to wax a friend of mine and me hers, but she could't wait and had someone else do it.

Also, I told you: you need a deep pore cleanser afterwards to prevent ingrown hairs and infections. (You got it done in India, home of the visitor intestinal tract parisite when contracted is fondly known as Deli-Belly. No wonder!)

The pain is a lot like fashion: sometimes it must overshadow comfort to achieve the desired results.

You do not need a jock strap.

I'd go for some heavier-lycra shorts, and you know, maybe he doesn't even notice. Are Guru's thighs shaved? If not, his hair may be sticking out too.

I've started waxing just the edges of my "zone" sufficient to wear a swimsuit with decency.
Yes some roots bled a bit. Yes I got 2 or three ingrowns. Yes, some hairs will be ripped off rather than out, forming a bit of stubble, but every time you remove 90% clean off the root leading to 100% pretty soon.
Now it is ok, and I HATE the stubble after shaving. After waxing 2-3x, switched over to an epilator. Even for underarms.

swomething i always wondered too..........very anti between the legs as ive had erruptions after a race!but have always wondered if the same thing will happen if i do a shave on the pubic bone kinda area-consequently i just trim it with scissors,and if i ever get a man make sure any "bedroom" antics will be in the dark:D

I just think it's a shame that our weirdly artificial society teaches us from girlhood that natural body hair on a woman is something "bad", worthy of great expenditures of time, money, and discomfort to rid ourselves of. I too used to think hair was embarrassing- on legs, arms, private parts, underarms...
Men get to walk around with hair sticking out all over the place and they think NOTHING of it. Yet we women enslave ourselves to working diligently to eliminate all traces of "horrifying" bodily hair! Ironically, we tend to have WAY less body hair than men do anyway, yet even that amount is not acceptable.
My DH is unusual- years ago he encouraged me to free myself of my decades of shaving and nasty ugly stubble drudgery and convinced me that soft natural girl fur and tufts are way nicer, and are nothing to be embarrassed about. Took me a whole year of mental self-deprocessing of a lifetime of CoverGirl type brainwashing, but I came to completely agree with him.

Minty... I just had a BRILLIANT idea that's gona solve all your problems.

Buy lighter coulored shorts. ^_^ ie, Yellow or white or pink or light grey or something.

^_^ That way even if the hair still comes through, you can't hardly notice it.

There are lighter coloured shorts out there. but Melbourne's chock full of bike stores it probably will take a little ground work but you'll find a pair that suits you.

TA-DA!

Woo Hoo! I hadn't thought of getting lighter shorts. I'll have to consult my bike and see how he feels about me not wearing blue, black and silver to match him (yep, she talks to her bike. Don't pretend you don't do it too).

Sounds like an opportunity to buy more gear! Yay!

Beyond that, I think hair being longer rather than shorter is the way to go. Oh, and the conditioner idea worked pretty well too.

he he he. Hope you get your man too! ;)

May be cheaper to keep your black shorts and just use a black magic marker on whatever pokes thru!

Also, the foam/cream hair removers might work better than shaving and definitely less painful than waxing.

Also, I think the natural plan would also work.

:eek: OMG! I make my own shorts/knickers and don't even put a chamois IN them! Of course I don't shave that area either, but never even THOUGHT about that. I double the fabric to cover the seams when making them, but I haven't tried to sew a chamois in. I don't know that I have that problem, but I don't know if anyone would tell me if they noticed:o :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Meg McKilty

I'm a huge supporter of the Brazilian wax.

You can pay $80 for a professional to do it, or you can buy a kit for $16 at Sally's Beauty Supply and have a close friend yank away at your stuff.

Not only that, but it lasts about 6 weeks. r00f.

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Now that is a true friend. ;)

Since we are all sharing.. When I started riding I found all the hair to be SO uncomfortable. Within a first few weeks of getting on a road bike I started shaving everything completely clean. Even the slightest bit seems to itch and burn while riding.

Now it's just part of the regular routine. Granted I'm definately more diligent with it during prime riding season (ie. warm weather) but even now, on the trainer, I notice it if it's there!!

Oh.. and while we are on the subject of it. I've only worn panties in my cycle shorts ONCE. OH MY GOD - it was the first and ONLY time I've ever had saddle sores.

YEOWCH!

I've never worn them since and never had a problem since either ;)

Talk about learning the hard way.

Ok I have to ask now.

I'm currently training for my first ever triathlon (should be hilarious). Because I swim like a brick I joined the local baths for swimming training, and went to Kmart for a pair of basic bathers. My tri-suit just looked weird at the local pool.

So I didn't have a sneaky blonde halo coming out the side of my bathers, I decided to shave - just the sides, or "bikini" area. It was fine for a day. Now I look like I've been squatting over a mosquito nest - little red bumps everywhere. This has always happened whenever I try to shave my bikini area.

How do those who shave regularly avoid this?

You've never had that before?? Hmmm

Use shaving cream (for sensive skin and sensitive areas) I use gillette

Don't shave it every day cause you're taking off skin as well as hair. The skin isn't exactly "replicating" as much there as other areas of high use... such as your hands.

Don't moisturise, but use baby powder after you shave. The difference that makes is amazing. Kinda works the same way in that it works on prickly heat.

J&J Baby Powder is currently my best friend... Works SOOOOOO much better than regular deodorant (roll on or spray) in this Humidity... Back of the knees!

Oh no, I've ALWAYS had that happen! I can't remember a time when I've had the urge to shave (for various recreational pursuits) and not wished I'd left it alone a day later!

I'll try the following:

1 - a razor that's a bit better than the dodgy supermarket brand disposable twin blade I usually get. Might even get one of those scary pink "lady" razors that look more like a remote control. Any suggestions on what's good?

2 - shaving cream rather than soap. Maybe my problem is that I've just been too cheap to buy the right products in the past?

3 - powder is my friend anyway, so no trouble there. Lots of powder - fluffy white clouds when I pat my bottom!

I have some time to experiment and see what works - the only time I will potentially need to be assured of rash-free girly bits is a few months away.

The guru (see the initial post to this thread) and I are going on a road trip to Adelaide. (He lives in Sydney, I live in Melbourne. Little danger of getting together before then). Adelaide people tell me there isn't a lot to do there so the guru and I might need to make our own entertainment. He he he...:D

For years I have been a friend of an electric trimmer any brand. I will trim/ or shave as necassary only with that. Follow with a shower, sea breeze, and powder. And that is the only way for me. No problem with my shorts.
Tried waxing and shaving several times in the past and wanted to run to the Dr but too embarassed. HB shaves the same way so no conflict there.