Hi! and Question about Bike Shorts "au natural"

[anne_77]

Hi - I thought I'd introduce myself. I just bought my first bike a week ago and I'm loving it! Yesterday I got the pedals you clip into and I rode around learning how to use them this morning - so much better than sliding around on wet pedals (it hurt yesterday when I slipped off as I was standing up going over some bumps - ouch!).

I have a question about bike shorts - I keep reading that you're supposed to ride them "au natural" but I have never ever worn anything au natural. Is this really necessary and/or at what point does it become necessary?

[Trek420]

hi, and welcome to the tribe. Don't forget to pedal over to the "getting to know you" thread where you can find out more than complete strangers should know about us and we get to know you too.

It becomes necessary *now*.

Both for better comfort on the road and to reduce friction and chafefing.

And from a fashion standpoint you don't want to be pulled over by the bike fashion police for VPL

[snapdragen]

Welcome Ann_77! Yes, you will want to go commando with your bike shorts. Panties underneath can cause chafing and the dreaded saddle sores. Believe me, you want "your bits" as comfy as possible when you start going longer and longer distances!

[anne_77]

thank you for the advice.. i guess i'll have to try going commando next time i'm out. i just got back from my longest ride yet - a whole hour - and i'm utterly exhausted but in a good way (yes, i'm out of shape!).

[Irulan]

I hate to possibly state the obvious, but you are wearing a good bike short that had a built in chamois/pad, correct? And not just a lycra gymt short that does not have padding?

just making sure

Irulan

[emily_in_nc]

Also, make sure that you wash your bike shorts after every ride. Bacteria can grow and thrive otherwise, and that can do all kinds of bad stuff down there!

So, that means you'll need at least two pairs of shorts so you'll always have a clean pair, and if you're like a lot of us addicted gals here (and you will be, someday, just wait!), you may eventually end up with five or ten pairs!

Emily, who has at least 8 pairs of road shorts, a couple pairs of baggie mtb shorts, two skorts w/built-in shorts, and two pairs of cycling tights....

[anne_77]

Yes, I'm wearing bike shorts with a chamois. I picked them up at the shop where I bought my bike. And I am washing them each time but obviously that's getting old so I was going to order a couple others this week. I figured I'd try out a couple different brands so I can compare.

[jobob]

I figured I'd try out a couple different brands so I can compare.

Excellent idea! It's a trial-and-error process to find the right shorts. So once you find a pair that you're happy with, try to get a few pair, because they're just like bras, once you find the perfect shorts they stop making them, or perversely change them for the new season.

i just got back from my longest ride yet - a whole hour - and i'm utterly exhausted but in a good way (yes, i'm out of shape!).

Well, believe me when I tell you, if you keep at it, someday you'll read this and marvel at how far you've come along. That's exactly what I was doing, reminiscing how only a couple of years ago a 45 minute ride was a huge undertaking for me.

[Trekhawk]

Yes, I'm wearing bike shorts with a chamois. I picked them up at the shop where I bought my bike. And I am washing them each time but obviously that's getting old so I was going to order a couple others this week. I figured I'd try out a couple different brands so I can compare.

anne 77 - make sure you get the right size too. I got some bike shorts when I bought my bike and they seemed to fit ok. But now I realize after buying some others that they really were a bit big. The smaller size puts the chamois in all the right places. Now I know why I kept snagging my shorts on the saddle.

[Biking Mama]

Hi Ladies,

I'm a new biker and was told by a seasoned athlete that Au Natural was the way to go. So I did! And one week later, I ended up with a yeast infection...YUCK! I haven't had one of these since I was a teenager! Is this a common problem associated with biking? Could it have something to do with my biking shorts (PEARL iZUMi)? Help. How can I avoid this going forward.

Thanks.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hi Ladies,

I'm a new biker and was told by a seasoned athlete that Au Natural was the way to go. So I did! And one week later, I ended up with a yeast infection...YUCK! I haven't had one of these since I was a teenager! Is this a common problem associated with biking? Could it have something to do with my biking shorts (PEARL iZUMi)? Help. How can I avoid this going forward.

Thanks.

I wear PI shorts too, and I haven't had a problem...

Did this happen after a single ride? Or multiple rides? If multiple, are you always wearing clean shorts?

I change out of my cycling shorts as soon as possible after my rides (OK, if I've driven somewhere I usually drive home first, unless it's a very long drive), and I wash my shorts after each use.

--- Denise

[bcipam]

Wearing cycling shorts is not a cause of yeast infections. However, providing a nice, wet, warm environment for the yeast (which is always present in the body) to flourish will. Yeast infections can also be triggered by hormones (ie around that time of the month) so all maybe coincidental. Bottom line, with or without panties under your shorts, you should change out of wet clothing as soon as possible. That also means making sure everything is dry and clean. Bike shorts should only be worn once than washed. I suggest in a washer (but hang dry - NEVER put shorts in the dryer). Also, watch your diet. Eating lots of yeasty foods, such as bread, will cause the yeast in your body to grow out of control.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I suggest in a washer (but hang dry - NEVER put shorts in the dryer).

My shorts go in the washer AND the dryer. No problem.

But I would suggest following the manufacturer's recommendation about the dryer. My PIs and the dryer get along just fine.

[Biking Mama]

I had ridden several times over the week, before symptoms of an infection began. What symptoms appear if it is an allergic reaction to the PI shorts?

[CorsairMac]

Hi Ladies,

I'm a new biker and was told by a seasoned athlete that Au Natural was the way to go. So I did! And one week later, I ended up with a yeast infection...YUCK! I haven't had one of these since I was a teenager! Is this a common problem associated with biking? Could it have something to do with my biking shorts (PEARL iZUMi)? Help. How can I avoid this going forward.

Thanks.

are you sure it's a yeast infection and not an allergic reaction to something? Not sure what your allergy state is, but I couldn't wear PI shorts coz I'm allergic to something in the shorts: either the chamois itself or the antibacterial they use in the chamois. I had even prewashed the shorts. I also know of at least one other person on the board that had the same problem with PI shorts - it could be the shorts.

and welcome to the board! If you get a chance there's a thread under open titled "getting to know you", gives you a chance to get to know us and - if so inclined - tell us something about you!!