Minimizing Comfort Stops
 

I'm finding that on cold mornings (close to freezing) after having had a couple of cups of coffee and with a no-protein breakfast, I must stop three or four times in the first hour or two to relieve myself, and the intensity of the discomfort seems to be increasing as I get older.

Does anyone have experience with "incontinence pads for men?" I bring this up because I read recently that they did a study in Las Vegas and found that there were increasing amounts of incontinence pads being discarded in the casino washrooms (restroom to you Yanks), and that these came not from older men, but from young guys who were wearing them so they wouldn't have to leave a slot machine just as it was getting hot.

Have any of you geezers used these things? If so, I would like to know: how much output are they good for? Are they comfortable on a bike in the "down" position? Do they bulge under lycra shorts? Do they show stains on cycling shorts? Are they difficult to get rid o/dispose off? Are any brands recommended?

I see some potential advantage here, like on group rides where nobody wants to stop for a break in the first hour, and anyone who does is just left behind by the fast group. And even just commuting to work in the winter, where you're on public mostly-residential streets with no facilities and you like to have a cup of coffee or two before the ride.

Thanks! - Luis

An alternate title for this thread:
"How to tell if your cycling obsession has reached an unhealthy level". :eek:

I can hold it for 12 hours.

+1. Or maybe your coffee obsession?

Google "Texas Catheter".

In the motorcycle world, there used to be a thing called the "Easy Leaker!" It amounted to a rubber with a hose (long enuf to get beyond your shoe......)

Of course, you would have to stop pedalling for a bit, to keep your bike clean.......

Unfortunately- I have a similar problem- so I delay the ride by faffing around after the last coffee looking for the gloves- cleaning the glasses- putting the shoes on and filling the water bottle- Then there is the Garmin to synch and sort out the I-Pod. The incontinence problem is not improving but the length of time it takes me to sort the bike is--Hence problem solved.

It would probably easier to stop drinking coffee.:D

Small-aircraft pilots use these: http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/13087

Why else would flying have such a glamorous reputation? :lol:

you need to work harder, sweat more, and get dehydrated, then you never have to stop...
Bud

That's why I like hot weather so much, you can drink all day and never stop.


Seriously though, I would think that the pads + potential contents might lead to a serious chafe.

way TMI

I already feel enough like I'm wearing a diaper when I have my cycling shorts on -- no need to add a real diaper to the bulk!

I really don't think a cycling obsession could ever reach an unhealthy level.

Anyway, not many serious answers; I guess this isn't an issue for most of those on this list, who very likely never ride in freezing weather (3 deg C or lower), as I'm not getting a great deal of compassion here, and it's clear no one has ever tried these pads. I imagine there would be a stigma - particularly in this group - about wearing "adult diapers." But I am serious about this. I guess the topic is such that those with experience in this area would not divulge it, so perhaps it was not prudent to bring this up in the first place. I just thought it was a clever idea.

OK, sorry I asked!

Luis

Switch to espresso. More caffeine, less volume.

FWIW, I travel trails solo where there are lots and lots of formal pit stops - like every 1.5 - 3 miles. I know that, because I know where everyone is from expreience and need.

There are pills, I believe, available by Rx from your friendly doc, that can help. Not sure, because I never tried one, but I have read about them.

Perhaps this should be in the 65 - 85+ thread??

I would think that an adult diaper would give you a fair amount of "non-road" rash, and would be bulky and a bit smelly. ALso, psychologically, it would be difficult for me to "relax" enough to actually use one while riding.

The pads are for incontinence, not for intentional peeing-while-cycling.

I like the looks of the plastic urinal mentioned previously - are there bottle cages that would accommodate one of those?

Nobody has brought up the astronaut who (supposedly) wore adult diapers while driving a long distance to go attack her astronaut/lover's wife.

On group rides, I stop as needed. Love the corn fields of Central Indiana - but they aren't much good this time of year.

Cut your coffee to 1 cup before the ride.

I'm not a coffee drinker. My body's urine production peaks in the mornings. I've not actually measured, but if I had to guess, I'd say half my daily production occurs in the first three hours after I get up. I have to carefully plan my morning rides around porta-potty locations, or wait until the morning flow has subsided.

Unfortunately, around here porta-potties aren't put out until May 1st, and disappear at the end of October--and I'm a four seasons cyclist. Living in the city, there's a notable absence of corn fields.

I have sympathy for your situation, but cannot imagine that any kind of absorbant undergarment would help much on a bike (though I have no experience with them). As someone else mentioned, chafing would almost certainly be an issue. Then there's the matter of comfort in the saddle -- essential for long rides -- that could only be compromised with additional layers.

My original joke was partly serious -- skip the coffee if it causes problems! If the urge is still too strong to ignore, you may want to consult your physician.

As an aside, personally I do plenty of long rides in sub-freezing temps, often in brisk winds. And I've had the uncomfortable experience of having to hold it for the last 20 miles in cold and rainy weather. It ain't fun, but nobody put a gun to my head to be out there in the first place.

Good luck!

Bring a "special" water bottle and find a secluded place. You may then empty it upon people/vehicles you don't like.

Don't ask what I do to cars parked in a bike lane.

Yep, I know only too well which parks have year-round loos and which ones are locked all winter.

At some parks near my house there are Port-O-Lets that remains open all winter, but I'm not certain they're ever emptied. They're pretty dicey about now.

In a way you are not alone.

Over the winter I had to make more frequent rest room stops on the MUP.
On the way to the trail we always stop at a Wawa. The wife gets a small cup of tea. If I drink a 20 ounce coffee on the way to the trail I must hit the rest room as soon as I start to unload the bikes. If I drink a 20 ounce cup of hot chocolate I do not need the rest room as quickly nor as frequently as with the coffee.

This past Winter I did try decaf several times. Which worked out as well as with the hot chocolate.

Caffeine acts as a diuretic and elevates the rate of urination. Different people have different levels of tolerance for it and the tolerance may change in an individual with age.

You will only drink from the wrong bottle once

Caffein is no longer considered to be a diuretic. But, it can exert a mild diuretic effect which some folks are more sensitive to. Drinking a glass or cup of anything can stimulate urine production.
If caffein were a real diuretic, hardcore coffee drinkers would end up in hospitals with dehydration and/or electrolyte imbalance. Never happens, that I am aware of.