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