before and after skin treament
 

I'm using bike shorts & liners now so I have less discomfort during and after rides.

Does anyone have suggestions for before and after skin creams, etc?

Last year I thought I read about something for men tiger balm? and maybe someone wrote that Vaseline was just as good?

Then for afterward, after the shower, for example, anyone one any kind of skim cream?

Before/during long rides:
- Chamois Butt'r (under 200km)
- Chamois Butt'r Euro, or Assos (200km and up)

After:
- A&D Ointment or Amerigel if I've actually chaffed anything; if not, then nothing

k-thanks

Tiger balm is not something I'd want to put on my chamois. It's a heat rub and could prove less than comfortable on tender parts.

For "before" I've just used Chamois Butt'r (with liberal re-applications if it's a really wet, or hot and sweaty ride -- it doesn't stand up to severe moisture as well as other stuff.)

For "after," if things are really bad :( I go to bed sporting a liberal dose of diaper rash ointment -- I'm partial to the Desitin "creamy" variety (the regular stuff has to be sandblasted off your skin and clothing) -- and when I wake up, all is usually well.

Isn't Tiger Balm one of those tingly hot potions? I seem to recall trying it once on my legs as a "keep warm" thing under my tights in the winter -- it felt like I'd slathered my legs in battery acid. :eek: (I do have kind of sensitive skin, though.)

Yes, Tiger Balm is a heat rub and should never get above the bottom hem of your shorts because (IMO) even the vapors can start to get a bit toasty after too long.

:eek::eek::eek:

I use Body Glide on butt/chamois. If things get out of hand, it's good to be prepared w/ a topical anaesthetic. Tiger Balm would be more akin to a topical fire ant infestation, I would think.

Keep clean w/ baby wipes.

Check out personal items on the VeloWeb rando tackle page.

yeah tiger balm is more for sore muscles.. not something you want on your netherregions.

i've been trying to "whip my butt into shape" by not using any butt-creams at all. so far so good, i finished a 600k without using any (and no issues to speak of).

eventually my tush will be so hard i'll be riding in jean shorts. one day.

Only Daisy Duke can pull off that look... I think you have a point about toughening up on shorter training rides. But I use the euro butter on rides over 75 miles, and it helps prevent most problems. I'd hate to take off for 600k without it, because by the time you know you need it, you're in trouble.

If your bicycle is set up correctly, and you've got a good saddle, and you've developed good core muscles so you are sitting on the saddle properly ... you'll greatly reduce the chances of saddle sores.

I rarely use any creams at all on my rides. I did experiment with them one season, but found them to be sticky, messy, uncomfortable, and not worth it.

However, you do have to take care of your skin in really hot weather (because you sweat lots), and in rainy weather (because your shorts will be wet).

If you are sweating lots, it helps to stop at a gas station washroom, or something similar, along the way and wash yourself with water, then dry yourself well with paper towel. If you do not have the luxury of clean water and something to dry yourself with, baby wipes can help. Washing away the salt from the sweat helps reduce the chances of irritation.

If you know you'll be riding in rainy weather, a cream of some kind can help protect the skin. Wet skin is fragile skin.

After the ride, have a nice hot shower and wash well with soap and water. If you have no rashes or anything, you're good to go. If you do have a rash, apply some zinc oxide cream to the rash. You might want to wait till just before bed, and whether you are a male or female, I would recommend wearing boxer shorts to bed because zinc oxide cream is messy. In the morning you should be good to go. :)


122240 km ... and only one saddle sore. :D

Mattm wearing Daisy Dukes... that makes me want to poke out my mind's eye with a sharp stick! :D

Now I have to go look up pics of Jessica Simpson, thanks a lot! :love:

Why is their a "love" emoticon if this is not a coed forum?

Thanks for all the suggestions - Gosh only knows where "tiger balm" came from. I might just as well have suggested some surfboard wax. What an idiot :crash:

Wore my new shorts for 13 mile morning commute today and took a hot shower. Happy as a clam, no pun intended.

I do plan on longer rides, and some will be in the rain, and hot sweaty days so I'll look for these products.

BTW: there is another brand of diaper rash ointment besides Desitin that while being creamy too - does not have the Desitin smell.

This is definitely a coed forum. I'm a woman, there are several other women around, and I'm assuming some of the rest of the people here are male.

Hey Machka! :love: Have a nice day :D

actually, i've been told i have nice buns. must be all the saddle-time.

when the jean shorts are worn, i'll post pics!

btw this guy is my hero/inspiration: (PBP photo)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/...b51e68.jpg?v=0