Going Commando

[Elphaba]

For starteres,Hello! My name is Linda and I am a 44 year old relatively new cyclist. I started out about a year and a half ago to maintain a 35 pound weightloss. Started riding my daughters old box bike around the block and such. I bought my self a Giant Cypress ST and started taking "Blue" to the grocery store and such and eventually worked my way up to 25-30 mile rides! I just ordered the last small Giant Avail Inspire and I can't wait for it to come in this week.

Along with the Inspire, I figure I need some real cycling clothes but as a mother of 3 in her 40's out does one protect the chamois from, well, weak plumbing ? Or do you ? While I dont always have a problem cycling, sometimes I do.

Thanks,
L

[goldfinch]

Well, I do the exercises. And to the extent I still have a problem (I do at times) I live with it. I don't worry about protecting the chamois. If it can take all my sweat it certainly can take a little pee.

[Elphaba]

Thanks Goldfinch and Muirenn,

Kinda what I was thinking, but just wanted to make sure I was barking up the right tree

Not sure what is going to be more torture this week, waiting for my bike to come in (hopefully ready on Wednesday) or have to leave it to go on vacation Friday afternoon. Riding from north Florida to Denver would be kinda out of the question LOL.

[Pedal Wench]

Riding from north Florida to Denver would be kinda out of the question LOL.

Not really...

[Jiffer]

Well, since racers are known to pee while on the bike, a lot more pee than you might leak, I wouldn't worry too much about it! I can't believe I'm sharing this, but my husband had his first experience with this during his first Ironman recently. Apparently he had previously "tried" to pee during a long race, but had never been able to. Well, during the 112 mile bike portion of the event, he had success! He had looked around and didn't see anybody around as he shifted his weight, "adjusted" and let it rip. Shortly after, a guy came along side and said, "I am so jealous! I've been trying to do that for the last 20 miles!"

What a crack up. My husband ended up with the 6th fastest bike split of the event . . . out of about 1,000. So, yeah . . . no stopping at the port-a-potty for MY Ironman!

I have had some "period" issues in my chamois. The tampon just doesn't always hold, and it doesn't work to wear a liner . . . I've tried! So what do ya do? Luckily there's some padding to absorb it and you just clean it as soon as you are able to. And always try to get out of your shorts as soon as you are able, even if you didn't "leak". The longer you are in sweaty shorts, the more likely you can develop rashes, infections, etc.

(By the way, the chamois in the shorts triathletes wear is much thinner than regular cycling shorts, so it's not like my hubby was sitting in a bunch of squishy pee for the rest of the ride! Eew! And he also doused himself with water right after. )

[marni]

if all else fails, unless you are in a race or competition, there is always the "the green room", abush, tree, fence or perhaps a local gas station- always remember to buy a coke or a pack of gum- nothing ruder than using the facilities and not contributing. It's amazing how flexible I and my aging bladder have become.

[Elphaba]

Not really...

In 4 days it is lol

[Amira]

This made me laugh....my sister was just relating a story of a guy ahead of her climbing Independence Pass this summer who she noticed was holding his leg at a funny angle .... until she realized what he was doing. She likened him to a race-horse. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. I guess the lesson is that you tend to lose your shyness the longer you ride.

[Amira]

An imperative: get black shorts. NOT white.

So true...for many reasons. Nothing like seeing the entire a$$ of the formerly complete stranger riding in front of you after he's spent at least 2 hours of non-stop sweating in the Texas sun.

[Eden]

O

Well, since racers are known to pee while on the bike.......

Oy - that's triathletes we road racers tend to be more civilized about it - we take mutually agreed on pee breaks at the side of the road

[OakLeaf]

okay ... on the subject of "doing the exercises" ... I came up with a cue for myself a year or so ago that I've just been too embarrassed to share with anyone, but this is TE, after all.

I think unless you're actually trained by a pelvic therapist and by putting something to hold inside - a lot of cues wind up making you bear down, increasing the pelvic pressure and overwhelming the muscles of the pelvic floor. It's been found that most people with urge incontinence have hypertonicity in the transversus abdominis. This is the cue I give myself now: "cervix to navel." The pelvic floor lifts instead of clamping down, and the sphincter closes like a drawstring.

Yay.

[dottigirl]

It may sound strange but I don't go commando.

I wear a small cotton low-rise string as pictured (don't worry, that one's fresh out of a packet).

Never had any rubbing; I can do 130 miles a weekend without a problem.

It's also the first line of defence in case of leakages. When I wash them, I spray first with white vinegar to keep the stink away.

I also carry a couple of wetwipes in a small sealable bag to 'clean up' if it gets a little stinky down there.

[marni]

the other thing I find is that when I am riding, the pressure of the saddle helps with retention, of course then things might become a bit more urget whe I dismount but I can usually go about 30 miles before it becomes uncontrollable. I will utilize a green room when ever necessary.

My favorite jersey has " I'm not wearing underwear" across the rear pocket.

[Sky King]

In doing kegels I visualize zipping up my pants and tightening my muscles as I zip.

Marni - that jersey is hysterical

[smittykitty]

Practicing now!