cycling short usage (& re-susage)
03-10-09 | 10:05 PM
#26
Bike Commuter
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Anaheim California
Bikes: Cannondale R700, Custom Cannondale Fixed, Research Dynamic Mountain Bike
03-11-09 | 05:09 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
Since I've spent the last 15 years as a microbiologist and bio-engineer, I guess I'll weigh in on this one...
It's a pair of shorts, not an incubated TSB jar. Hang your shorts up to dry when you get to work, and you will not have seething angry bacterial cultures waiting to find an open pore so they can maliciously ruin your life.
First, if you bathe on a regular basis, you're not going to be harbouring anything to worry about. Second, even if you were just covered in a collection of the CDC's worst nightmares, a dry scrap of foam and lycra isn't the optimum breeding ground for it. Third, nothing you host is going to grow rapidly enough in an 8-12 hour workday, under the conditions I just listed, to be harmful via routine contact.
It's a pair of shorts, not an incubated TSB jar. Hang your shorts up to dry when you get to work, and you will not have seething angry bacterial cultures waiting to find an open pore so they can maliciously ruin your life.
First, if you bathe on a regular basis, you're not going to be harbouring anything to worry about. Second, even if you were just covered in a collection of the CDC's worst nightmares, a dry scrap of foam and lycra isn't the optimum breeding ground for it. Third, nothing you host is going to grow rapidly enough in an 8-12 hour workday, under the conditions I just listed, to be harmful via routine contact.
Just let the shorts dry by hanging them up in a ventilated area upon arrival and then wear them again on the return trip home. I do suggest washing them at least once every couple days.
03-11-09 | 05:31 AM
#28
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From: White Bear Lake Mn
Bikes: 88 Schwin Voyageur, 84 Schwinn World Sport, 85 Univega Alpina Uno, 85 Fuji Espree, 09 Novara Strada, 06 Jamis Durango, 03 Specialized Expediton Sport, 09 Surly LHT, 12 Novara Gotham
I've started wearing boxer style swim suit shorts with mesh liners and a pair a day is fine. Buy 'em cheap at the end of the summer and they work great..9 miles and hills.
03-11-09 | 09:36 AM
#30
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From: Plano Texas
03-11-09 | 09:47 AM
#31
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From: Houston we have a problem
03-11-09 | 09:53 AM
#33
Drops small screws
Joined: May 2008
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From: NYC Metro Area
Bikes: Soma Grand Randonneur, modified Xootr Swift, Trek 1000SL with broken brifter from running it into a hotel porte-cochère
Because nobody knows anything and Procter & Gamble likes profit.
03-11-09 | 10:20 AM
#34
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Plano Texas
Maybe my sweat just stinks more than others. All I know is that my shorts smell pretty bad the next day after a ride. I'm not worried about bacteria, I work with some of the baddies out there every day. I'm talkin' multi drug resistant stuff, so I'm not worried about that. I just don't wanna stink.
03-11-09 | 11:14 AM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
It is my understanding that:
Stink = Bacteria
Now if that is bad bacteria or just "stanky" bacteria, I have not a clue. But, I sure as heck do not want any of that day-old stuff anywhere near my tushy.
Stink = Bacteria
Now if that is bad bacteria or just "stanky" bacteria, I have not a clue. But, I sure as heck do not want any of that day-old stuff anywhere near my tushy.
03-11-09 | 03:35 PM
#36
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: 2006 Specialized Ruby Pro aka "Rhubarb" / and a backup road bike
I always start the day with clean bike shorts. I never wear baggies -- they are hotter and don't dry as fast. During the summer I hand-wash the shorts in the restroom right after my shower. I always hang the shorts up during the workday to let them air dry. In the winter the humidity is low at my desk so they dry quickly; in the summer I aim a small fan at them to help them dry. I am prone to skin infections. My better-quality shorts have some kind of anti-microbe chamois so sometimes I don't wash them out at work. I wear the same pair of shorts home. In the winter I wear no-chamois tights over the shorts.
03-11-09 | 03:44 PM
#37
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Houston we have a problem
But you should have your keyboard, desk and mouse tested. I'd bet you a brand new bike that's it's got wayyyyy more harmful bacteria than your shorts after one day's commute.
Assuming of course that you have a desk job.
03-11-09 | 04:08 PM
#38
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Cycling shorts are not like cotton underpants or nylon bathing suits. The material dries quickly enough.
I put ointment on and around my anus to reduce irritation before I put the shorts on in the morning. It might also help prevent a sweat buildup. Any ointment will do, such as vaseline, cocoa butter, hemorrhoid ointment, or Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Sorry if that's TMI, but it's also practical advice.
A very frugal friend of mine bought some Pearl Izumi shorts and declared that they are absolutely worth every penny of the very high price. If he says it, it's good advice!
I put ointment on and around my anus to reduce irritation before I put the shorts on in the morning. It might also help prevent a sweat buildup. Any ointment will do, such as vaseline, cocoa butter, hemorrhoid ointment, or Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Sorry if that's TMI, but it's also practical advice.
A very frugal friend of mine bought some Pearl Izumi shorts and declared that they are absolutely worth every penny of the very high price. If he says it, it's good advice!
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
03-11-09 | 04:15 PM
#39
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I have started wearing baggy swim trunks. They dry just as fast, are lots cheaper and with the Brooks saddle I don't need the padding anyway.
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03-11-09 | 07:28 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: SW Ohio
Bikes: 3 good used ones
The shorts thing is more about keeping the boils and itches at bay. I have been lucky so far, but I have heard horror stories....
Actually, I know of a couple dedicated souls who yank the hairs out of their Sass with an electronic gizmo, so as to avoid boils. Needless to say, I'd like to avoid having to do that little procedure.
03-11-09 | 07:46 PM
#41
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
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From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
I met a guy selling a bike who told me he developed a heart condition - a serious bacterial infection of a valve - that was caused by a bad saddle sore. I've heard of mouth infections making their way to the heart but never from a saddle sore. I'm reluctant to use a liner that wasn't laundered.
That's why I ride a recumbent with the RANS Comfy Chair. Plus, I launder my cycling stuff sometimes.
03-11-09 | 08:58 PM
#42
Callipygian Connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2008
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I wear home what I wore in, with fresh stuff each day. I don't recommend going multiple days on the same shorts, but, to each their own.
03-11-09 | 09:46 PM
#43
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From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
I haven't run into any issues from either situation. 30 mile round trip to work, and I go 2 days between washing shorts and jerseys. I routinely spend 7 to 12 hour days for long rides, and I don't bring a clean pair of shorts to change into. (Although, if I go for a 600k next year I'll bring a fresh pair of shorts to change around the midway point.)
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03-11-09 | 10:12 PM
#44
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Other than the want(no no, make that need) for shorts without seams in sensitive areas to rub me the wrong way, I splurged and got myself a good pair of garneau shorts. One thing I remember from the tag dangling off of them was "anti microbial chamois". I wear the same pair year round(0F to 110F) with washings about twice a week depending on "funk factor" as the missus puts it. In the 3 years since I've bought these there have been no uninvited guests invading my nether regions with boils and sores. Knock on cork.
