PI Bib shorts & grippers

[GLC1968]

I think it's just a heat rash. I get it intermittently regardless of the shorts or grippers.

I was going to suggest the same thing. If the bibs keep you warmer, that might be why they trigger it. I can't wear bibs except on cold rides - they make me too hot.

I had this problem when I lived and rode in NC where it was much hotter. If my core temp got too high, I broke out in an UGLY rash of huge whelts on my legs. It didn't matter which shorts I wore, what the grippers were made of or where they ended on my legs. It was purely body temp related. The rash would be angry and swollen and hot to the touch (sometimes days later) and it would often be a full week before all traces of it were gone. It also always happened right at the edge of my tan lines, but that might have been coincindence.

The only thing that permanently solved it? Moving to the PNW. Actually, I only had the problem during the hot summers...never during the spring or fall in which I also wore the same shorts. Dumping lots of cold water on myself and ice in my sports bra during the hottest rides helped keep the core temp down sometimes. I could tell when the rash was forming though and then I knew that I'd failed at keeping cool!

[OakLeaf]

I don't know why I only get the rash on the top of my thighs, either, but it's definitely from the silicone grippers. I don't get it when I turn the legs up or when I wear other shorts.

My only guess is that it's actually a sort of abrasion, that the silicone grips so hard that it damages the skin when my legs move. But that's a total guess... I suppose if it were correct, then the amount of rash would correlate inversely with the number of panels of the shorts.

[Catrin]

I was going to suggest the same thing. If the bibs keep you warmer, that might be why they trigger it. I can't wear bibs except on cold rides - they make me too hot........ Dumping lots of cold water on myself and ice in my sports bra during the hottest rides helped keep the core temp down sometimes. I could tell when the rash was forming though and then I knew that I'd failed at keeping cool!

I have been riding in some very hot weather - and it is the long rides on which I pull out the bibs. Didn't think about this possibility - and I don't "feel" any hotter in my bibs than regular shorts. I've two long rides this holiday weekend, so will experiment with my other shorts to see if the same thing happens.

I don't know why I only get the rash on the top of my thighs, either, but it's definitely from the silicone grippers. I don't get it when I turn the legs up or when I wear other shorts.

My only guess is that it's actually a sort of abrasion, that the silicone grips so hard that it damages the skin when my legs move. But that's a total guess... I suppose if it were correct, then the amount of rash would correlate inversely with the number of panels of the shorts.

The rash I got Friday, which is indeed a rash and not the sunburn I thought it to be, covers the top of half my thigh It was red and swollen for several days, looking better today but more itchy so I keep putting lotion on it. It is almost gone now though, and it didn't bother me on my recovery ride yesterday. The reason I know it isn't a sunburn is that it doesn't bother me to have clothes touching it - and as bad as it looked that would not have been possible.

Thanks for the input on this...

[GLC1968]

The rash I got Friday, which is indeed a rash and not the sunburn I thought it to be, covers the top of half my thigh It was red and swollen for several days, looking better today but more itchy so I keep putting lotion on it. It is almost gone now though, and it didn't bother me on my recovery ride yesterday. The reason I know it isn't a sunburn is that it doesn't bother me to have clothes touching it - and as bad as it looked that would not have been possible.

Thanks for the input on this...

It really sounds similiar to what I had. I did some research at the time, and lots of reading pointed towards a histamine reaction of some sort. In my case, triggered by heat, but I imagine any number of things could do it. And yeah, mine was only on the front of my thighs, too. No where else on my body even though plenty of other places were hotter or more exposed or whatever. Very odd!

I *think* there is an old thread here somewhere where I posted photos. I know we had a big discussion about this back in the day and I had planned to post pictures (I can't remember if I did or not!). Let me see if I can locate the thread...

Edited to add: I found the thread. I guess I never took photos but there are lots of descriptions here.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...at+rash+thighs

[Catrin]

Thanks for the link. What seems different about this rash is that for the first day or so when I got in the shower the rash hurt when the water hit it. I DO, however, have sensitive skin, do get contact dermatitis, have psoriasis, etc. My skin, at times, can get quite unhappy for no apparent reason - it just is part of having very sensitive skin.

The rash is almost gone now, but the skin still doesn't feel quite "right" there. Still a little itchy and trying not to rub it - but the ride Sunday didn't make it worse

Have a 70 mile ride scheduled for Saturday and another on Monday and will try head out in the morning - Friday I couldn't get started until 2:30 in the afternoon and was on the bike for 5 hours... Between work schedule and the heat I may be relegated to the spinning bike at my club between now and then

It is only supposed to be in the 80's this weekend so if this is related to my core temperature then that should be less of a problem. Will have extra water with me if I need to pour it over my head.

[Catrin]

Everyone was right about it not actually being the fault of my bib shorts

Yesterday I met with my fitter to adjust saddle & to install/adjust new pedals so I needed to go in bike clothes. Normally I wouldn't wear my bibs - but I did as a test. I knew it would take a few hours and that over-heating just was not a factor at all.

Not one problem at all. No redness, no rash, no....nothing! There is STILL just a very slight discoloration from last Friday and the tiniest bit of itch remaining, but nothing appears to aggravate it. I certainly did not FEEL overheated at the time, but it certainly appears to have been heat related.

Today it is currently 57 degrees and I am headed out in 30 minutes, it will still be in the mid-60's by the time I finish my 75 miles. Considering that I have knee warmers on today, wearing my Swobo wool jersey with my bibs, thermal jacket, and smartwool socks with my sandals I do not think that over-heating will be a problem today...


Added: No problems today either - with any of my PI grippers. I never would have thought it a heat issue, but that seems to be what it was! I didn't have enough clothes on today though...