First multi-day ride
 

Two of my sibs and I are heading out for our first multi-day ride. This ride (PALM - Peddle Across Lower Michigan) has been running for over 30 years, so there is plenty of info re packing and prepping, but my brother raised an interesting question the other day when we were out for a ride.

Are we more inclined to develop a little saddle rash over several 50-mile days? None of us have ever used chamois cream, but he was thinking it might not be a bad idea to pack some, just in case...

What has been your experience when pushing the pedals for several days?

Thanks!

Well back when I was young and skinny I rode for a week, from 50-120 miles a day, in the heat, with no chamois cream or baby powder. I was fine with a Brooks look a like and standard bike shorts.

But having said that, we are all different and what works for one may not work for another. I would take some along just in case.

I use some chamois cream on all but the shortest rides and for sure on rides of 10 miles or more. I've used Bag Balm (most often) Chamois Butt'R and my current favorite Okole Stuff http://endurostuff.com/

It all works and Bag Balm is probably the easiest to source but yes, use some form of chamois cream on multiple days rides. I've ridden RAGBRAI 16 times (that's 7 days in a row) and always used some form of chamois cream. Try different brands and see what works best for you (some riders swear by Assos but it's too expensive for me!), but by all means, use something!

Oh, here's the link for Bag Balm: Bag Balm

Rick / OCRR

You might do fine without, but several days of long rides in hot weather is about as good a prescription for developing some irritation in the saddle contact area as you could design. A light application of some kind of creme might be good insurance. Bag Balm works, but it does have an odd smell and it is petroleum jelly based, so it tends to saturate the pad and might not wash out. I'm about to start my 20 somethingth (I've lost count) Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) and I'll be using a moderate amount of Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme in the high abrasion zones each day.

Have fun. :thumb:

On shorter local rides I don't use any cream but as rides get longer and temperatures get higher I begin lubing up. I once had a pair of ill fitting shorts. Once you are rubbed raw it takes quite some time until you are healed. Lube up.

Butt but'r can be had in small packets.

If you NEED it, you'll be glad you have it. Sometimes gas stations will have triple antibiotic ointment which is better then nothing in a pinch...

I've NEEDed it and not had it, and worn through the skin so it looked like road rash or a burn. Stung like heck every pedal... So a packet or 2 sits in bottom of pack now...

Not needed it in a long time now, but gonna go check pack to be sure it's still there...

I use Bag Balm.

I did the ride along the western coast of Michigan. On the 6th day, I got some sores even though I was using lube. But it wasn't painful, more like calluses from playing the guitar. ;)

That stuff comes in handy on long group rides. Those 40, 50 and 60 milers. When I'm on my annual tour, I stop very often. 40 miles may take 6 or 7 hours. There is lots to see when you touring and being in a hurry to get to the destination is kind of missing the point. On tour we become travelers and not just bike riders.

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions.

Coincidentally, we went on a nice little 52-miler on Saturday (we've been getting absolutely gorgeous weekend weather in Michigan for several weeks!! :thumb:) and on the second half, I noticed a burning in the nether regions, and appear to have gotten a little chafing right in the crease between my leg and buttock. First time this has ever happened to me, and I'm used to doing rides in the 40- to 60-mile range. However, now that I've experience this first-hand, I'm going to be sure to both pack a couple of different kinds of seat lube and USE them each day I ride. I can see how this could quickly make a multi-day ride real agony, as the little bit of chafing I have now makes me very disinclined to climb on the saddle even today!!

A few people have developed cysts in that area and that will kill riding for a while. Keep that area cleaner than clean. Scrub the area well and wash the shorts every day.

Yowza - I might even swab it with some hydrogen peroxide daily until it completely heals!!

I think (if one doesn't take the preventive approach) is to apply it not one second after feeling any kind of irritation. It's probably like getting blisters when hiking. If you stop the second you feel a hotspot on your foot and put some moleskin on it, you'll be good. Wait until it starts to get sore, and you're too late and will be limping for the rest of your trip.

Rick@OCRR - does the Okole Stuff soak through the shorts and get onto the seat? (I have a Brooks saddle that I'm trying to keep in good shape...)

Use a chamois cream liberally. Use it before you begin developing a rash, put it on when you put your bibs on. You might regret it otherwise. I've tried several and most work equally well.

And if you get a rash, I recommend Aguaphor for treating it. Until it is entirely healed, use Aquaphor as your chamois cream.

Agreed 100%... even if you think you won't need it.. use it. Having survived a number of multiple day rides I can tell you from exprience (unfortunately) that a good cream will be your friend... once those sores develope nothing can make it better; its just pure torture to ride.

Lots of brands out there - my personal favorite is Assoc Creme (pre-ride). A little more expensive but it so works for me (it doesn't bleed through the chamois and is easily washed out). Just get into the habit of using something for every ride... your nether regions will thank you for that!

On a tour, where you generally hand wash your bibs (not as efficient as a machine) and sometimes the weather does not allow through drying, chamois cream is even more important.

Having suffered from saddle rash/sores in the past, I have used chamois cream even on short (i.e. 20 miles) rides for the last 20+ years. Problem solved.

Thanks all - between my team-mates and I we'll be "road testing" a couple of different products.