Am I asking for Trouble
05-17-08, 02:34 PM
#1
Allegheny Mtns of WV
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Am I asking for Trouble
I ride anywhere from 40-65 miles a week and ride between 2-5 days a week depending on my work schedule. I have 1 pair of bike shorts. As soon as I finish I take them off, turn them inside out and hang to dry out. I then take a shower and make sure to clean my sit bones real good. I wash my shorts usually once a week. So far I haven't had any problems with saddle sores, but I am paranoid that I should wash my shorts more often.
do you think this routine is good enough hygiene to prevent saddle sores or should I be washing my shorts more often than once a week.
do you think this routine is good enough hygiene to prevent saddle sores or should I be washing my shorts more often than once a week.
05-17-08, 03:28 PM
#2
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I wash my shorts every two rides.
More often if I crap in them.
More often if I crap in them.
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05-17-08, 03:34 PM
#4
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
If you're so worried, you can give your shorts a quick wash while you're taking the shower and then hang them to dry. Doesn't take you any more time. However, if things are okay so far, they'll probably continue to be okay (if you do notice signs of trouble, then you can start taking steps to remedy them). The modern world is paranoid about cleanliness.
05-17-08, 03:34 PM
#5
Senior Member
You want a spare pair at least.. You are one rip away from disaster.
I have 3 of my favorite and then another of the same as a bib.
Get another pair, and then wash whatever pair you are using after each ride. Why take the chance?
I have 3 of my favorite and then another of the same as a bib.
Get another pair, and then wash whatever pair you are using after each ride. Why take the chance?
05-17-08, 03:37 PM
#6
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Originally Posted by texasphil
Way TOOO Much info in this thread....
Last edited by chephy; 05-17-08 at 03:41 PM.
05-18-08, 04:23 AM
#7
Every day a winding road
Your working. Spend some of that hard earned money on a new pair of bike shorts and rinse after every ride. You can get a pair for $25-$30.
05-18-08, 06:31 AM
#8
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Buy a few more pairs of shorts.
FYI: No shorts but I do have 12 pairs of bibs.
FYI: No shorts but I do have 12 pairs of bibs.
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05-18-08, 07:25 AM
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I thought it was more of a bacteria issue. I doubt the OP's method is doing much for that.
Mine are only worn for one session no matter the length. Pick up a pair of cheap volers or performance shorts for a spare and wash them.
Mine are only worn for one session no matter the length. Pick up a pair of cheap volers or performance shorts for a spare and wash them.
05-18-08, 08:04 AM
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Wash after each use.
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05-18-08, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Paco97
I wash my shorts usually once a week.
... Brad
05-18-08, 10:01 AM
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No ifs, ands or BUTTS. Wash after every ride.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
05-18-08, 02:33 PM
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Yes. If you did not know this was an issue, how did you even know to ask the question?
Anyway, this should help.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/misc/saddle_sores
Anyway, this should help.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/misc/saddle_sores
05-18-08, 03:40 PM
#14
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I know the cause of saddle sores is due to hygiene. I didn't know if letting them dry out would prevent the bacteria from growing and causing the saddle sores. That's why I posted. I wanted to clairfy if my method was good enough.
Originally Posted by dekindy
Yes. If you did not know this was an issue, how did you even know to ask the question?
Anyway, this should help.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/misc/saddle_sores
Anyway, this should help.
https://www.rivbike.com/article/misc/saddle_sores
05-18-08, 05:09 PM
#15
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You're only riding 40-65 miles a week. You'll be fine washing your shorts once a week.
I've done 600+ km all at once in the same shorts without washing them anywhere along the way. I've ridden 80-100 kms a day, for as many as 5 days in a row, on tours, in the same shorts without washing them. And I remain saddle sore free.
I've done 600+ km all at once in the same shorts without washing them anywhere along the way. I've ridden 80-100 kms a day, for as many as 5 days in a row, on tours, in the same shorts without washing them. And I remain saddle sore free.
05-18-08, 10:18 PM
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My take: If you have to ask if you're asking for trouble, chances are that you are. 
I might go a couple of rides, but I sweat a lot, so I need to keep a clean chamois.
I might go a couple of rides, but I sweat a lot, so I need to keep a clean chamois.
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05-18-08, 10:57 PM
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I sometimes go up to 3 rides without washing them and have never had a problem.
Mind you, it helps to wipe properly....
Mind you, it helps to wipe properly....
05-18-08, 10:58 PM
#19
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Well, you'd wear your underwear for 16 hours, even if you were working outside and sweating. Why would bike shorts be different? Actually, to be on the safe side, I wash mine after 8 hours of wear, give or take. (I don't actually log the hours, like you would with airplane parts.) But I have 2 pair, so that usually gets me through an average week.
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05-20-08, 02:18 PM
#20
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Originally Posted by Roody
Well, you'd wear your underwear for 16 hours, even if you were working outside and sweating. Why would bike shorts be different?
But then I see no reason not to give the shorts a quick soaping and rinse while you're taking the shower. Takes virtually no extra time, does the job, and putting on clean shorts next time you go out riding is probably a more pleasant experience (but then I do have supersensitive nose). Maybe washing anything by hand is a seriously big no-no in North America though, an even bigger one than not washing shorts after every ride?
05-20-08, 04:02 PM
#21
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How does one clean ones sit bones? Sounds like a bloody mess.
05-20-08, 04:16 PM
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I would get at least one more pair of shorts. If you're worried about bacteria, use this in the shower:
