Trevtassie

So you don't get brass monkey syndrome when riding without underpants...

Mountain bike shorts seem to be the go for touring I've found personally. They look like normal shorts (no sock stuffing needed), come with padded liners and the Fox Rangers I have are comfortable for multiple 10 hour days on the $25 Gyes leather saddle I have.

AdvXtrm

I'm new to serious bicycling, so I'm leaning as I go along. Last time I rode I wore wicking undies, compression pants over those, and some wicking shorts over those, and had no issues whatsoever. I rode over 30 miles that day, much of it uphill, and some in rough off-road terrain. Once I get to riding more miles and on an every day basis maybe this setup will no longer works so well, I just don't know yet. What I do know is that I tried a pair of riding shorts with a wrap around pad in them before, and it was a total and complete "no go" for me. I felt like I had a semi-rigid diaper stuffed up around my privates; Not a feeling I ever want to experience again. I ended up cutting out the diaper and wearing the shorts as mentioned above instead.

Happy Feet

It's a totally personal thing and no one says you have to. You may find, after doing multiple 100km+ days in a row that you want/need a buffer between you and the seat. I can easily ride 30 miles without a padded short.

I don't know why they make pads the way they do but it may be to ensure there are no seams in any pressure area. My blister occurred on the edge of my butt where the pad ended with a seam but still contacted the seat. Ending the pad too soon in the front may create an edge in the perineal region where you really don't want a blister.

mstateglfr 

The more aggressive position ofna road bike shifts your upper body more forward and you are on the saddle in andifferent way compared to an upright butterfly bar bike like yours. That created different contact points from you.
With that said...its a modesty panel.

AdvXtrm

It looks like I'll just have to cross that proverbial bridge for myself when and if I get there. Something I do know is that I won't be "shaving my legs and buttering up my ass" any time soon. lol

HTupolev

It's for modesty and to ensure consistent coverage. Obviously you never want to ride directly on soft tissue.

The real question is why some bib shorts come up so high in front above the chamois.

AdvXtrm

I see your point, no pun intended, but there it is. Since I'd never ware them without some over-shorts, that's not a concern of mine.

Doug64

But, if you ever need a little lubricant for a hot spot, A & D salve, found in the baby department at most stores, does of good job of preventing blisters. You may not think you'll need it right now, but it is something good to know about if you get into a situation similar to the one Happy Feet describes.

We always carry a tube in our first aid kit on extended tours.

mstateglfr 

But if you need some salve, itd be nuts to not use it based on an arbitrarily created principle.

AdvXtrm

Absolutely, I was just goofing off a bit there! lol

Thanks for the info. I do appreciate all the help I get here from you experienced torturers who are so willing to help and share. That's the community I love and appreciate. As I grow and learn more myself, I'll always do the same for anyone who needs it.

DropBarFan

I guess the liner/pad is softer, plus if the padding was shorter in front there can be a seam/ridge that can be extremely uncomfortable.

Happy Feet

I used Eucerin Aquaphor which is like thick vasoline. Once in the morning around the affected area and once after I showered in the evening.

Doug64

Dale, it sounds like you had it covered. I'm not sure what else can be done in those situations. It must have been an uncomfortable ride. It did not seem to slow you down, but it must have been painful.

Happy Feet

I think using the cream helped a lot. The first day I did not know I had something but felt a hot spot on my left cheek, near where the butt/leg crease is. When I took off my padded UW some skin came with it and I said uh oh. Bought some cream the next day. By shifting a bit I could avoid that spot on the seat and by day four I could ride on it again more or less, paying attention in case it felt hot again. I also ditched the padded shorts. my lycra tights have no seam in that area and I think they acted as a bit of second skin against the barrier cream too.

I know some people say you should never feel uncomfortable when touring but realistically I see it more as being able to manage mild to moderate discomfort early so that it does not become severe or show stopping. Maybe I'm weird but I can't imagine no discomfort on a multi day long distance ride. I also think weighing 215 doesn't help as, compared to someone weighing 160, I have 55 more lb's potentially bearing down on the sit bones, more or less. That's a lot of pressure.

AdvXtrm

I'm trying to learn more about these things, so how soon as in miles and even time in the saddle did the injury occur?

Happy Feet

Day three I think.
Really could have been avoided by using the UW ahead of time before a big trip. They just don't have quite the right fit for me. It's funny because I was actually trying to avoid issues by using a system that was uniform - padding that was the same regardless of shorts or tights, but chose two similar sets that did not quite fit. I would have been far better off with two different shorts that I knew worked for me.

It's a bit like hiking, most blisters being caused by lack of skin conditioning and poor shoe fit. You can avoid both by doing some shorter hikes ahead of time and not using new shoes that might rub the wrong way. But at the same time, one ought to always be able to address an issue that might pop up and that's usually early intervention. They don't talk about saddle sores in biking for nothing.

Sharpshin

Good point. Thinking on this, I dunno my Brook's saddle is ever "comfortable", but its more like when I'm riding I don't even notice comfort or the lack thereof and when I do think about the saddle its along the lines of "dang, that thing's hard", I do know I require no padding or soft leather, even on a 100 mile day, which is a blessing. It would be a hassle dealing with special bicycle shorts.

Mike

Happy Feet

Yes, it depends on the person and how they tour.

I tend to get up and ride all day, ending at a campground or motel where I shower and put on a set of camp clothes, usually lightweight pants and shirt.

Wash my riding clothes in the shower and allow to dry over night or the next day while wearing set number two. So, two sets of compact riding clothes and one set of camp clothes (plus cold/weather gear) can see me riding indefinately.

My camp clothes are only worn in the evening while just showered and relaxing so they stay good for days. Pretty good system for me.

AdvXtrm

I haven't toured yet, but I'm planning on it and prepping as I'm able. My plan is to do it pretty much the way you laid it out there, except I'm sure I'll be taking a day or two off each week to rest, relax, and goof off a bit. But who knows, I haven't actually got a chance to do it yet, so my ideas on this may change once I do.

martianone

Yes, to padded shorts on tour. Often commute or ride for utility without padded shorts (or long pants in cold weather), however usually tour with shorts. Shorts help wick away perspiration during a longer ride. My saddle is leather, prefer J&G Touring shorts - they have a thin pad, are comfortable, wear well and good to be seen in public wearing.

Sharpshin

I average a shower about every three days on tour, most times I ride until dark and then find a spot out of the headlights but outside of fence lines (I am strongly averse to trespassing). My sleeping arrangements are similarly spartan, I just throw out the REI Quarterdome and sleep in it. Despite the cooler temperatures in the UK I found sleeping w/out an air mattress of any sort of insulation between me and the ground to be no problem. My light 45F sleeping bag was plenty, and in my thin smartwool sweater it was positively balmy the few nights I wore it.

Here's a picture of my last night's camp on my 40 day tour just off M62 in the Pennines, photo taken the morning of departure before a 65 mile day back to Blackpool, I slept with the tent like that, the fly was needed to intercept dew, which ran very heavy in the UK.



Off the bike, my nylon pants and shirt worn in a normal fashion passed for street clothes.

I carried a 32 oz copper cup that I use for 1830's reenacting, and a dang useful implement it is too. Each evening I would fill it with a 50/50 mix of oatmeal and granola, add milk or water, and eat it like cereal, and so recharge carbs overnight as well as providing the roughage to stay regular (omit fiber in one's diet and you may never poop at all until your tour is over).

First stop every morning (as seen in on the final morning in Sowerby Bridge) was for a greasy breakfast, a pot of tea, and a newspaper



...and while I'm at it, shots of the real estate between the above two photos.






Mike

AdvXtrm

Nice Mike!

My first long tour will be with larger and heavier items that I'm sure may ended up being paired down to something more similar to your set up rather quickly. We shall see!

Happy Feet

Now I wanna see the cup. I'm quite keen on period reenactments actually

Sharpshin

2,000 miles down the road in PA. This is my "June and July across America" outfit, or my "dress like a Roofer" garb. Single layer of thin nylon and a good hat, no sunblock, didn't even begin to get burned in 30 days of mostly full sun 'tween San Antonio and NY State.



...and 10 miles from home at the Alamo.



Where you get them....

Tin-Lined Copper Cups - 32 oz | Camp Supplies | Crazy Crow Trading Post

At an event you can take half the coffee pot in one fell swoop, and likewise a whole 20oz Diet Coke just disappears into these things and becomes instantly PC (period-correct).

Mike

hilltowner

Ahhh, black pudding. I'm surprised the usual slice of tomato didn't get added to that plate.