Inexpensive Saddle Sore Prevention

[Lifesgreat]

I have not tried these suggestions, but the article's author has ridden many 24 hour races, so I am inclined to trust him on this.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/20.../?id=keith0606

[Lise]

That is a great article. Thanks for posting it. I've bookmarked the site, too. I will be mixing up a vat of that lube before my tri in August, and the century in Sept.

I've gotten a boil on my butt every single summer since I started cycling, 4 years ago. This year I was determined not to suffer like that. I read what everybody posted here, and changed a few things. I got a rougher scrubby puff and some anti-bacterial soap. I don't usually use anti-bacterial stuff, since I feel we're overdoing it on killing bacteria anyway. Some bacteria are important to our well-being. Anyhoo. Not on my butt. So after every ride, I scrub up the gluteal fold (where my butt meets my thigh) with anti-bac soap. I'm also lubing the chamois (almost) every time I ride, with chamois butt'r. I forget sometimes. I never wear shorts twice without washing them. A few weeks ago I felt the beginnings of the boil--same place every year--so I put acne medicine (salisylic acid) on it twice a day and scrubbed every time I showered. Nipped it in the bud.

Now I'll pick up some anti-bac wipes, too, and make my own lube with anti-bac ointment for long rides. Thanks again!

[Nokomis]

Okay ~ I can see that working for the boys... but I'm concerned about putting that much petrolium product down under, given our anatomy.

[Lise]

Okay ~ I can see that working for the boys... but I'm concerned about putting that much petrolium product down under, given our anatomy.

As a midwife, I can see that this could be a problem for some women. If you get frequent yeast infections, for example. I don't, and that boil on my butt hurts so much that I'm willing to try something new! To each her own, and don't forget to wash well with soap after the ride, as always, and wash the goop out of the shorts. Could take a couple of times through the washer with warm water. To each her own--you know your body--do what works for you.

I would be putting this mostly on my gluteal folds, where I get the infection/boil. I think I'd avoid the ...um... central area. I would put chamois butter there, because it hurts to ride with that area un-lubed. So that would help--the petroleum jelly wouldn't be so close to the inner parts.

[Nanci]

Petroleum jelly is a nightmare to try to wash out of stuff, plus the washing machine gets coated with it. Ick. Maybe I will just follow his advice to the point of using more yummy tingly Friction Zone! Maybe try the wipes thing, too. I wonder if they come in a small pack. I need a little removeable dealy then, for my bathroom trips at the Controls, since I'm already carrying the tube of Friction Zone around.

[FreshNewbie]

I love bag balm, I like it more than chamois butt'r but it's tough to wash out of shorts. One time I put a lot of it on myself and could not wash it out in machine after several times, now chamois on my shorts looks darker. I also messed up my nice blue SSS shorts with bag balm because I put it on myself and it sort of traveled to part of shorts without chamois and now the material has oil stains. But I guess who cares as long as it helps right?!!!!

Nanci, I definately saw portable wash clothes in drug stores, sometimes they have them right by the counter for .99$ or in travel size section. As for me I use summer's eve individual tissues, they are packed individually, have great smell, and guess what if they are ok for hmm regions, I also use them for my face on the ride if I am too sweaty. However, nothing helped me to prevent getting sebacious cyst GRRRRRRRRR

[mimitabby]

I too, would stay away from putting an anti-bacterial ointment on healthy
body parts... but i wanted to add; as often as i go to the toilet, chamois
butter is great (as opposed to petroleum jelly) because i can put it on each time
I go... OFTEN.

[KSH]

Well, I personally LOVE Body Glide.

And, you can get it in a travel size that fits great in a jersey pocket.

When I did the MS150, I reapplied this at every rest stop to my bottom... and I didn't have ANY issues.

I have tried the Chamios Butter (? spelling), and it just isn't all that impressive. I am running to the store to get more Body Glide today.

[madisongrrl]

I have tried the Chamios Butter (? spelling), and it just isn't all that impressive. .

Chamois Butter is ok....but it has no drying agent to help keep your skin from growing bacteria. I use Assos chamois cream. It lasts much longer in the saddle as compared to Chamois Butter. Assos is far from inexpensive though....$20/bottle. I use Body Glide for triathlons. It does a nice job preventing chafe during the swim.

[Nanci]

You guys are missing out! Friction Zone is....TINGLY...!!!