Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Weasels rip my flesh

Not exactly weasels. I just couldn't get that old Zappa album out of my head. Really, it was my bibs

I just finished my 4th double century this year (6th lifetime) and had the darn-est thing happen.

Even though I'd worn these bibs on my last rides, this time the gripper gel in the legs of my Castelli bibs ripped up the back of my leg. I didn't notice until the ride was over, but they raised the flesh and a week later I've still got serious welts. It was hot the day of the Knoxville Double out of Vacaville CA, but I've ridden hot before. I can't figure out why this time I got so chewed up, on both legs no less.

Is this common? I think I'll have to band-aid the back of my legs for next week's Bass Lake Double. I'll wear a different pair of bibs too.

So, solutions, comments? Want photos?

I just saw someone complaining about this elsewhere. I don't think there really is a solution for it. You might consider lube and/or pulling the hem of the leg up a little reducing the forces that would pull the gripper along your leg.

Just flip the elastic seam on the ends of the legs on your shorts inside out. That will cause the sticky elastic to face out and it won't irritate your legs on hot days.

Perhaps the elastic on the leg is weakening and allowing the gripper to move up and down on your leg as you pedal?

So, solutions, comments? Want photos?

Don't shave yer legs.
I used to get this problem when I kept my legs smooth. When I reverted back to the Sasquatch look, the problem went away.

I had the same problem with a nice pair of Pearl Izumi shorts. Wore them for a while and then they started giving me welts after a couple of long, hot rides. Now the grippers irritate my skin if I have the shorts on for longer than 2 hours. The silicone gripper on those shorts looks a bit different than the grippers on my other shorts so I'm thinking it's a chemical allergy that my skin developed over time. My solution was to flip the gripper up, as was suggested earlier.

And the gripper-out look is totally hip.

And the gripper-out look is totally hip.

I see a lot of women doing this, but I've not seen it done by a guy. I don't know what that means, It's just something I've noticed.

I see a lot of women doing this, but I've not seen it done by a guy. I don't know what that means, It's just something I've noticed.

I do it all the time and I'm a guy. Are you trying to suggest something here???? ;);););)

If the shorts fit, wear them? lol

I do it all the time and I'm a guy. Are you trying to suggest something here???? ;);););)

It depends. Do you flip the right leg, just the left leg, or both? :rolleyes:

Depends on if I'm wearing my rainbow shorts I guess...

I see a lot of women doing this, but I've not seen it done by a guy. I don't know what that means, It's just something I've noticed.

Women's shorts, for some reason, are cut shorter than men's. Just like women's jersies have shorter sleeves. I think it's a fashion thing.

Back when he was racing, Sean Yates would often be photographed riding in the peleton with his shorts and his sleeves rolled up. He did this so that he wouldn't look too out of place when he was on the beach at the Riviera. Otherwise, you end up with this "farmer's tan."

I like the longer cut of men's shorts, even if I do look like a dork on the beach. That's the price of being a cyclist. I think the leg muscle more than makes up for that.

L.

Oh no I don't believe it
You say that you think you know meaning of love
Do you really think it can be told?

Off topic, but my partner desperately wants to name a Fleche team "Weasels rip my Fleche" sometime....

Off topic, but my partner desperately wants to name a Fleche team "Weasels rip my Fleche" sometime....

Seattle Randos 2010 Lowball Award winners.

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