PI Bib shorts & grippers

[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...