Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - After many years and many thousands of miles....

....I have decided to try chamois cream. I always prided myself on having a taint seemingly made of leather (well, not really....but you get the point), but after getting my first sore from wearing a crappy pair of shorts since all my PI's were in the wash, I figured what the hell. I ordered up a jar of Assos and eagerly awaited its' arrival.

So I lube up the shorts and put 'em on....feels like I **** myself. Kinda weird. Then it feels like I have icy hot in my shorts. WTF. I'm guessing that's not normal? It's actually fairly annoying while riding.....

After 100,000+ kms of cycling ........ I still don't use chamois cream.

You shouldn't need it unless you are riding in exceptionally hot conditions where you are sweating a lot, or in exceptionally wet conditions (pouring rain). In those conditions a light, thin, tiny, miniscule, meager layer of some sort of cream can help protect your skin. I use a dot about twice the size of an M&M to cover the entire affected area ... of me, not my shorts. I don't put any on my shorts at all ... they aren't in any danger of having the top layer of skin rubbed off!!

I think the cream has a usage -- as an insurance policy on long all-day rides. But if indeed, you've been around the block, I would doubt that it serves any routine purpose - other than that "totally fresh" feeling you've looking for.

The movie "Hell on Wheels" shows the T-mobile riders lubing up the shorts with chammy cream before each day at the 2004 TDF. Nasty. Interesting movie tho.

I use great gobs of cream on longer (>300km) rides but Assos is too 'hot' for me. Try a different brand.

Sorry, but I sweat buckets no matter how fit I am. I -need- to prep my chamois and then butt'r my "chamois area" before every ride.

I use Aquaphor creme to prep my chamois and Chamois Butt'r just before I ride.

If the weather holds out this weekend, I think I'll try a 200k without it....

I'm a BodyGlide addict myself. I sweat buckets so it's been great for avoiding saddle sores.

I have been using Assos cream for years. I too thought that I di not have to use chamois cream, however, when I first did PCTOUR, USA crossing in 26 days, I needed the cream on day five, as I was getting sore down there.

Denied on the 120 miler this past weekend - woke up Sunday morning with an upset stomach, and probably lost about 5 pounds in a few hours :D. But....felt well enough to ride in the late afternoon, so I did my default 35 mile loop....

On an unrelated note, I got my new custom orthotics in for my cycling shoes.....man they feel great on my feet, but are too thick for my shoes and I can't wear socks :(. Need to get that rectified.

I use chamois creme most of the time, unless I am out and too busy to get to the shop. I too have recently used the Assoss creme that was supposed to be all that and some extra horse power to boot. I immediately noticed the "warming effects" it had on my lower region and dangly bits and immediately thought the guys at the shop were pulling a little switcheroo on me. I am glad to hear that is not the case, but now I can't give them the 12 pack of beer I bottled myself, if you catch my drift.

I immediately noticed the "warming effects" it had on my lower region and dangly bits and immediately thought the guys at the shop were pulling a little switcheroo on me.


Don't put it on the front end of your chamois... I worry about getting it where my sit bones are, and then up far enough to hit the spots where my thighs might work with the saddle. Hopefully there is no rubbing going on with the other bits... as that would be painful.

After 100,000+ kms of cycling ........

:eek: how many kms do you figure you've done??

It doesn't hurt to go a little further forward. There is plenty to be rubbed the wrong way up there too. While I generally don't apply directly, between the thighs helps out alot too.