Road Cycling - For those with pimples, sore butt, etc.

I too have had a problem with being saddle sore. I dropped my gel pad seat cover for a while, and found that I was equally as sore with or without it. Today, I took my first ride with a good pair of biker shorts. It was the difference between night and day. Again, it was the difference between night and day. I did 34.75 miles, and never once had any discomfort at all. Not even once. It was a wonderful feeling. The only time that I thought about my butt, was when I thought that it was not hurting or sore. Usually at the end of my rides I have to hit the brakes in order to catapault myself off the saddle.

I am a believer in bike shorts now. I don't know what it will do for you, but it worked miracles for me. I can see that I will be needing another pair of these wonderful contraptions. I got mine from Nashbar, they were as good as advertised, and the shipping took only 7 calendar days.

I know that it has been discussed already, but any care tips would be appreciated. Do I wash them after every ride? I'll hand wash more than likely, and let them drip dry. Still, any hints will be appreciated.
Best -

Yes, absolutely wash them after each ride. They are breeding grounds for bacteria. Use mild detergent or hand washable soap, get the excess water out (I put them in the washing machine on spin cycle) and hang to dry. I have more than one pair. You may decide to get more too.

Thanks for the tip Bikeman. I'll wash them before I go to bed tonight. Most likely, I'll wash them in the washing machine tonight, on delicate, using about a spoon of detergent. I don't have anything else on hand right now, and yes, I'll likely order a couple of more pairs of these shorts. Best -

After a ride, I bring the shorts in with me into the shower and wash them with a little bit of Dawn. Then I let 'em hang from the shower-curtain rack in order to let them air-dry.

I dunno if that's "proper", but it seems to be working fine.

BTW, in case you didn't know, wear nothing under your bike shorts.

After a ride, I bring the shorts in with me into the shower and wash them with a little bit of Dawn. Then I let 'em hang from the shower-curtain rack in order to let them air-dry.

I dunno if that's "proper", but it seems to be working fine.

Shampoo is really good for washing clothes... it rinses out much easier than dish soap.

Shampoo is really good for washing clothes... it rinses out much easier than dish soap.

I figured as much. For a while, I was using Softsoap bodywash to wash my shorts, but dish soap's "harsher" nature probably kills more bacteria than bodywash.

I wash mine on cold water and dry on low. It probably cuts the life of the short, but it saves time.

I thought we were supposed to wear something like a liner under the shorts...

I figured as much. For a while, I was using Softsoap bodywash to wash my shorts, but dish soap's "harsher" nature probably kills more bacteria than bodywash.

The shampoo trick is courtesy of wisdom accrued as a poor college student that only had enough quarters to run the dryer a lot of times :o

BTW, in case you didn't know, wear nothing under your bike shorts.

Good soldier!



I thought we were supposed to wear something like a liner under the shorts...

No, no, no, no...

The only reason you would wear a liner under your shorts would be if it was one of your "light days."

No underwear under bike shorts for any reason, ever. No excuses.

It only leads to infected saddles sores.

Got it?

Good!

Underwear Nazi
Haven't you been listening, people?

Yes, absolutely wash them after each ride. They are breeding grounds for bacteria. Use mild detergent or hand washable soap, get the excess water out (I put them in the washing machine on spin cycle) and hang to dry. I have more than one pair. You may decide to get more too.

When drying your bike pants in the sun does this damage the elastics in the riding pants?

OK, I guess I'll go ahead and get a pair or two.
I always thought my butt would just have to get used to it, but now I've learned there just ain't no getting used to it. I did put a gel seat on my bike which helped, but after about thirty miles, I still find myself standing up more than sitting.
I can recommend what NOT to wear. Never wear a swim suit with a mesh liner. I might as well have lined my shorts with steel wool!