Bike shorts question

[Yasmin]

I am not sure of the purpose of chamois cream. The thought of something slimy down there all day does not appeal. Yasmin.

[Grog]

I am not sure of the purpose of chamois cream. The thought of something slimy down there all day does not appeal. Yasmin.

Actually the cream I have used was zinc oxide. Same as what is used to prevent/cure diaper rash for babies. On long rides, especially multi-day ones, and on hot days, I find that my chamois can only manage so much of the humidity and after a while irritation occurs, which can make my life miserable.

Chamois butt'r probably has the same preventive effect.

On shorter rides (less than 3 hours in my case) it's useless.

I would totally avoid buying shorts with seams on the chamois...

Good luck

[Bike Goddess]

I wear undies under ALL of my shorts ALL the time. No probs. Use Cbutter in the warmer weather. I have found that gel chamois shorts are the most comfortable for long rides.

[Lise]

This discussion of the various creams is very interesting. I quickly learned not to wear panties, and I invested in some decent, then good quality bike shorts. I got one pair of really good ones this summer, and wore them on my 1st 100km ride. OMG. My "forward parts" as I called them were SO SORE. I could not believe it. I actually called my 70 year old mom, who's been long-distance biking for 10 years. She told me people in her club use Eucerin or diaper rash cream. I didn't do any more long rides, because I started training in earnest for the Chicago Marathon. I found that on long runs it helped a lot to put zinc oxide or Body Glide on the crotch of my compression shorts.

My mom explained that it's not the padding, or lack thereof, but the friction, over time, that makes for such soreness. I finished the marathon, and am getting back on my bike. I just bought a new tube of Desitin. I'm intrigued and a bit nervous about the menthol idea--the purpose is to numb the area? hmmm. I'll try it, if the Desitin isn't doing the trick.

On the bra issue--I'm a 36D, and the more restrictive, the better, when I'm riding or running. I just got my new "Enell" bra--thought it was crushing my ribcage at first, but I adapted!

Thanks for all the info--I wish I'd tuned in before I did those 100k!

Take care, Lise

[SadieKate]

Anne_77 AU CONTRAIRE to what everyone else is saying here on this thread, I am going to tell you that I in fact DO wear LINERS in my shorts. These can be found at REI- and probably other bike shops. The ones I have are made by Andiamo and I have been using them for as long as I've been riding (2+ years) with NO AFTEREFFECTS!!!!!!

I wear undies under ALL of my shorts ALL the time. No probs. Use Cbutter in the warmer weather.

Nancy, do you wear underwear or Andiamo padded short liners? Critical difference between the two.

[Nanci]

I wear Patagonia capilene wicking seamless panties under _most_ of my shorts. I just like it better that way. I _tried_ to change, but, since I wasn't having any problems with seams, and since commando grosses me out, no matter _what_ the application, male or female, I quit worrying about it.

Now, I _do_ have those Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts, which are so sheer I'm not comfortable wearing panties with them, and they, fortunately, fit just right so I don't feel uncomfortable without them.

My Trashy Cat Black Satin Shorts, OTOH, (which have my all-time favorite chamois!!!! I wish I could afford many pairs, in all the colors!!!) are slightly more comfortable, _to me_, with panties. And the Primals and horrible Sugoi tri shorts are just out of the question for commando. I think, the slinkier the fit, the better with no undies.

One thing no one ever mentions, so maybe it's just me, but I can _feel_ my thigh touch (and stick to) my ever-shrinking-but-still-fattish belly or whatever you call it, right in the crease of the front of the leg, on every upstroke, when commando. Yikes!! Doesn't happen when I have panties on, because that bare skin is tightly covered. It's really distracting.

I find Udder Balm is great for long runs/rides to protect the skin from being irritated by salt (from sweat)/urine. Geez, those who have to pee while on the bike, say in a race, I just can't imagine how you ever get comfortable again...

Nanci