RIRview

I put the word "almost" in ( ) because I'm still hopeful a solution can be found.

The problem is probably the two most dreaded words a cyclist can hear: Saddle sores.

After riding for years with no issues of the sort, last summer I started having recurring issues with the damn things. Since then, this is what I've tried:

* Two new pairs of top-of-the-line bibs, Giordana and Louis Garneau.
* Two different top-of-the-line saddles, Bontrager Affinity RXL and Fizik Arione.
* Enough chamois cream to batter a damn cake.
* A professional bike fitting using the Retul system.
* Topical antibiotic cream and hydrocortisone cream.
* Bag Balm.
* Tea Tree oil.
* Preparation H.

At one point I took a month off, got all healed up, started riding again and the sores came right back.

What was once my passion and joy has now become agony--it's no fun at all to be on a ride and feel like you're sitting on broken glass.

I'm seeing my dermatologist in a couple of weeks for unrelated issues, and I'm going to have him take a look and see if he has any words of wisdom, other then to stop riding.

Jakedatc

Have you tried wider saddles? Like San marco Regal, Fizik Antares, Aliante.. top of the line won't matter if it doesn't fit. I know the Arione is pretty narrow and according to the Fizik chart for more flexible people.

tekhna

I'm sure you thought about this before have you switched up saddles?

rumrunn6

hot soaks (20min minimum) in Epsom bath (3 cups minimum) with bath soap of your choice (I like Dr Teal's Ecualyptus Spearmint) from drug store, grocery stores or Walmart after every ride.

don't get the combo stuff, buy cheap Epsom and just the liquid bath soap. their enhanced salt isn't as good as mixing your own bath. plus it's cheaper.

other suggestions: ride out of the saddle from time to time, and adjust your shorts during rides. I think these 2 things prevent individual follicles from getting angry, :-) good luck!

Number400

That really sucks. I had issues with sores/bumps/blood blisters in that area when putting in major miles.

Now I see that you have tried some nice saddles but in my opinion, keep trying different saddles and don't think that the more expensive ones will work better for you than a Walmart Bell seat. You will find one that suits you and you may suffer plenty until you do.

Also, try this: Standing more...my Wife has issues and stands every mile for one minute. While being a pain, it has really helped her in this regard.

Hang in there!

Drew Eckhardt 

With puffy chamois that puts pressure on spots which shouldn't have any and rubs people the wrong way.

While I've yet to find a company which makes shorts as good as we had last century, Boure Pro shorts and bibs get the chamois right with flat synthetic leather and no excess padding.

Assos bibs are purportedly good with 8mm high-density foam from elastic interfaces although I've yet to splurge ($200 for the entry level model) for a pair.

Edonis13

Try some more saddles in varying widths.

datlas 

Make sure you have a proper fit.

If persists, consider a recumbent.

fstshrk

+1 for Fizik Aliante/Antares. Seems like you have really not found the right saddle and your saddle height/setback is not set correctly.

texbiker

The one thing I don't see is a doctor. One may find the reason.

RIRview

I've actually thought about that LOL

RIRview

"I'm seeing my dermatologist in a couple of weeks for unrelated issues, and I'm going to have him take a look and see if he has any words of wisdom."

obed7

What changed last summer?

intransit1217

At this point, I like the doctor as first choice, saddle searching as second. But then you didn't say where the sores are appearing either, so........

txags92

The three things I would look at are

1) Search out anything that could be causing you to put excess pressure on the areas where you are getting the sores. Are the bibs bunching up on you in those spots? Is the saddle tilt forcing you to ride a different area of the saddle? If you never had problems before and now you are, then there is something that changed that is causing it. Find out what that something is. Look at every change you made in the last few years, however big or small, and see if there is some reason it could be causing a problem now. Have you gained or lost weight? If so, you may need a different size in bibs. Also, did your fit include measuring your sit bones to get you onto the right saddle? What about going back to whatever saddle you were using when you didn't have problems? You need to eliminate possible causes one at a time and figure out what helps and what doesn't...that will lead you to the cause.

2) Take your bibs/shorts off and put on clean clothes as soon as you finish riding. Don't sit around and have a meal or drive somewhere. The longer you sit and grind stuff into your pores, the more chance you will get a sore.

3) Wash your bibs after every ride.

RIRview

I was wearing shorts that I'd been using for quite some time, and the padding was getting worn. I'd be riding a feel a pinching sensation, as if the padding was bunching and causing pressure points. That's where and when this whole thing started.

RIRview

Not to be gross, but since you asked...they are in the perineal area. Not be be even grosser, but I bought a little makeup mirror to see what the hell was going on "down there," and they look just like the pimples you get when you're a teenager.

06SpiceRed

You mentioned you were wearing a pair of shorts that worked well but were getting worn down. Have you been able to find the exact same pair and see if that was the issue? As materials advance in todays clothing tech, have you ruled our the possibility that the certain fabics that are being used with the newer pairs of clothing might be effecting you? As rare as it can be, some people have a irritations to the skin if there is extended contact for long periods of time with fabric that really doest mesh with you. If at all possible, give that a shot and see if problems persist.

Also have you had increased levels of stress? Your body could be reacting to something causing you to break out.

As other have mentioned above, definitely try a couple different saddle options too but if they worked well in the past prior to these issues, it might not be that. I wish you luck in finding it out, its frustrating as ****.

Bassmanbob

I saw topical antibiotic cream and cortisone creams. Try an anti fungal cream twice daily for five weeks. Lotramin AF or its generic equivalent is sufficient. If you have a bad flare up, you can't mix the antifungal, antibiotic (I'd go with gentamycin cream) and the cortisone all mixed together in a VERY thin layer twice daily for a month. It's shotgun therapy, but it won't hurt you.

k_kibbler

That totally sucks. ++ on get doctor's opinion.

Maybe this is too easy of an answer to be correct, but if you're getting sores right in the middle, then look for ways to reduce pressure to that area? That could be a saddle with a cutout, or a wider/flatter saddle, or less padding, or any combination of those things.

happyscientist

The dermatologist sounds like your best bet. I will share something from another forum, though. One of the posters is a dermatologist and insists that cyclists shaving and waxing everything will allow her to retire early. Whenever someone complains of saddle sores, the first thing she asks is whether the person shaves or waxes the affected area.

JerrySTL

Make sure that the shorts/bibs aren't too loose on you. My daughter noticed that my shorts were a little baggy and going one size smaller helped the 'bunching' feeling.

radeln

Just a possibility: Allergic Dermatitis Due to Topical Antibiotics.

Carbonfiberboy 

I used to have a mild case. It went away when I started showering with Selsun Blue. I wash my whole body with it. Never soap. Possibly any similar shampoo would work. If you drive to a ride, take civvies with you and change in the car immediately after the ride, then shower when you get home. If riding from home of course shower as soon as you get back. The shotgun therapy advocated above is probably good, too. I tried that and it did help, but not as much as showering with a dandruff shampoo. BTW, a dermatologist suggested the shampoo. The cream cocktail was suggested by a PA.

I use Bag Balm for my chamois cream and think it by far the best. If I ever have a little raw spot, I put some Bag Balm on it when changing to my civvies and that fixes it right up.

hack

Try any saddles with a substantial cutout? I toiled away with discomfort before trying out an SMP. They're a bit spendy, but has been worth it for me. You might be able to find a local shop that will demo one for you.