May 21 - where do we ride?

[Bike Goddess]

Now you all, remember I'm getting ready to be on my derriere for 7 days of back to back riding, wind or no wind, bad roads, good roads, and who knows what else! So, when I can, I try to get back to back days of long rides in my schedule. I figure that I'll probably be in shape for the big ride by June 5th (Day1), so now I'm concerned about such issues as saddle sores, chafing and all that goes with it! Any suggestions on that subject?

Sunday May 22? Where? When?

[SadieKate]

Now you all, remember I'm getting ready to be on my derriere for 7 days of back to back riding, wind or no wind, bad roads, good roads, and who knows what else! So, when I can, I try to get back to back days of long rides in my schedule. I figure that I'll probably be in shape for the big ride by June 5th (Day1), so now I'm concerned about such issues as saddle sores, chafing and all that goes with it! Any suggestions on that subject?

Nancy, I've done back to back long days of mtnbiking but not road. Clean shorts every day and Chamois Butt'r the second you get a hot spot worked for me. Make sure you change gears and stand up periodically if you find yourself on long flat stretches (we're experts at that here in the Flatlands) to change the pressure points. Also, no lingering in damp shorts after all rides (even your training rides).

May 22? Where? When?

I'm thinking the Safeway around the corner from St. Helena Cyclery or at the Silverado Brewing Co. I thought I'd call the bike shop for their suggestion. I'd like to park close to wherever we eat of the many choices in St. Helena. Perhaps take a few seconds to pick up some lemon olive oil at Olivier. We have lots of time to figure this out so I'll post closer to the date.

[Bike Goddess]

SK-Are you fixed on St Helena as a starting place?

[Bike Goddess]

Re advice for multi day rides- I actually do all of the abovementioned suggestions (Thanks I love suggestions)and another which I'll pass on to everyone here- when on the flats (best place to try this) get into the drops and push your bellybutton towards your back. This will stretch out your back- a nice relief on long rides. I also have learned to move as far back on my seat as I can to get pressure off the front. That seems to help too. I do that a lot on hills as it seems to make hill climbing easier and a bit faster, too!

Anybody use any other cream besides chamois butter which is what I use?

One more thing- I just discovered Sheila Moon bike shorts- Made in San Francisco, thankyouverymuch! They have a different kind of waist that isn't as binding as normal shorts and the chamois is fab. I wore them on a century last weekend and loved them. Cost $65.00 (less than Pearl Izumis!)

[snapdragen]

Now you all, remember I'm getting ready to be on my derriere for 7 days of back to back riding,

Goddess - after the 3rd day, you won't even know you have a butt.....

I recommend 7 pairs of shorts if you can afford it, much easier than trying to do laundry. There were a number of people riding with their wet shorts on their heads (!seriously!) to get them dry for the following day.

Shower and change as soon as you get to camp - wear something loose - sweats work well.

There will probably be huge tubs of butt butter at the rest stops - it pretty much saved my tentmates heinie. He had a nasty saddle sore, the the butter had some kind of stuff in it to help stop the pain.