Hey Bike Punx,

I don't ride a ghastly distance each day (~20 miles), but I've developed this ridiculous rash type thing on my seatbones. It's like my bike has given me an STD. I don't want to wear spandex lamepants with pads in them because I don't think I will look cool anymore. Does anybody have a remedy or any tips on topical ointment/powders to quell the offensive irritation.

Putting ointment on your ass isn't cool either man. Part of being a bike punk is dealing with the pain!

Try wearing clean underwear every day.

Get zinc oxide cream (Diaper Cream). Its good for clearing up rashes and saddle sores. Just wear your padded shorts under your baggy cargos or knickers...nobody will see.

Wow. You're an idiot.

Those are saddle sores. You get them from the chafing action of cotton underwear. Know what fixes that? Padded shorts with a non-chafing chamois.

Said with love.

Thanks for the good advice guys!

Do you shower and change your underwear every day?

I don't wear chamois, and I generally do OK.

Right tool for the right job, just like folks are telling you. If you think they look dorky remember how dorky you'll look walking pigeon toed and bow legged trying to avoid anything rubbing your rookie rash. Lotta pants designed for over the lycra for you.

yeah, I change underwear everyday and shower ALMOST every day.

I have sensitive skin and I think this episode of saddle sore might be attributed to the heat/more extreme than usual swamp ass. I never get this in the winter.

nothing fixes heat like lycra, and the chamois presuming you get a good one will also help with moisture. They'll work better alone but still do the job covered.

Thanks Sam Houston. <3.

I can usually do 20 or 30 miles in jeans without much problem. I wear these microfiber boxer-briefs, though, which are less abrasive than cotton, and I have one of those saddles with a vagina, so I'm not totally sitting on the seam of my jeans the whole way.

this is often overlooked, but I think the best remedy is to stop riding your bike. if you just walk around town with it (try pushing it from the seatpost — it looks waay slick), people will still see how cool your bike is, and you can still wear rolled-up jeans and such since your ass won't touch the saddle.

ahahah steaktaco! I live in Western Massachusetts and have to ride from one town to another for work. But I will walk it more. That is a good idea.

lol @ bike punks

I think I'm gonna get me one of them vagina seats. It gets a bit lonely out here...

get a seat off a comfort bike......

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5210

ahem...thats... lol @ bik0rz punkz

why not just use the spongy wonder

Those "lame-pants" are your friend, my friend, at least until your butt toughens up. There's stuff at bike shops called chamois butt'r and so on, or the old standby, Desitin if nothing else.

Rule #1 is keep it clean. I wash my "lame pants" after every wearing in the sink with simple green. Give your butt that extra scrubbing in the shower. The mantra of the professional cyclist is clean, clean, clean.

I gotta second the microfiber undies. My riding became 100% more comfortable when I found the miracle of miracle fiber. In fact, most clothing geared toward "adventure travel" will suit the average daily cyclist very well. Just think: we go on adventurous journeys every day! How thrillingly exciting!

Ex Officio briefs are my faves. The Ex stands for expensive--they're the Phil Wood of undergarments.

for long distances though, real bike shorts can't be beat. Hey, I asked this in another thread but got no response: Are there good woolen bike shorts available? Who makes 'em?

Rivendell.

This topic just came up recently. Lots of good advice here.

find a different saddle. I ride centuries on my selle flight in my dickies without shorts, creams, etc. I ride two blocks on anything else and I feel like I've spent a night in prison. you really just need to ask your ass what it prefers.

guess i shoulda known...Thanks!