Zwift Chat

[Whorty]

What undercarriage issues are you suffering from?

I’m assuming its saddle sores? I had a problem with these for some time but have been largely free of them for some time now.

When it was at its worst I read an article about a project British Cycling had undertaken when a number of their female track riders were suffering from saddle sores. The article is here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/15/team-gb-cycling-saddle-sore-medals

Based on this I started using Doublebase Gel instead of Chamois cream when riding. Initially, this seemed to have a very positive impact and the instances of sores reduced significantly.

I thought this had fixed things, when last winter in the middle of the Zwift build me up programme, the little bastards cam back. I got through it by using corn plasters as a padding, but that clearly was a stopgap and not a cure.

Reading up more, it seemed that saddle sores are caused by bacteria on the skin getting into and infecting pores. So, I decided to get some anti-bacterial soap and have been using that ever since. It wasn’t just sores I was suffering from as I often got itchy armpits. Both these things flared up after a ride and after I had showered, so both the itchy armpits and the saddle sores appeared after I’d ridden, showered and thought my skin was clean.

Since last winter, I’ve been clear again. I still use Doublebase gel when I ride (outdoors or on the turbo), I get out of my cycling clothes as soon as I practically can when I finish a ride, I use anti-bacterial soap applying the bar directly to the skin and if I have any soreness or chafing after a long ride I use either a little Doublebase Gel or Savlon to soothe it.

Don’t know if this squares with any of your experience, but I know the pain and frustration saddle sores cause, so I hope its helpful to you.

So for marginal gains I need to stop bikini waxing and yet also get an aero helmet?

 

[Whorty]

Well what an unwelcome back to the turbo that stage 7 was. I attempted last night after a RW ride yesterday morning. Big mistake. Looks like I ll have to do again as legs went turn 7 and just managed to get myself over the line.
Looking forward to trying again!!!

You and Andy have given me something to aim at

 

[Whorty]

TUE???

View attachment 467524

Well, doc has given me a prescription, so I guess technically yes it is a TUE I now have a blue inhaler, pink inhaler (the brown wasn't strong enough) and now steroid tablets. I'll be flying up these hills soon

 

[Del C]

So for marginal gains I need to stop bikini waxing and yet also get an aero helmet?

Bikini waxing AND an aero helmet???

Why are you riding without your bike shorts on?

Removing your pubes and streamlining the end of your knob won’t make you go any faster!!

 

[CXRAndy]

What undercarriage issues are you suffering from?

I’m assuming its saddle sores? I had a problem with these for some time but have been largely free of them for some time now.

When it was at its worst I read an article about a project British Cycling had undertaken when a number of their female track riders were suffering from saddle sores. The article is here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/15/team-gb-cycling-saddle-sore-medals

Based on this I started using Doublebase Gel instead of Chamois cream when riding. Initially, this seemed to have a very positive impact and the instances of sores reduced significantly.

I thought this had fixed things, when last winter in the middle of the Zwift build me up programme, the little bastards cam back. I got through it by using corn plasters as a padding, but that clearly was a stopgap and not a cure.

Reading up more, it seemed that saddle sores are caused by bacteria on the skin getting into and infecting pores. So, I decided to get some anti-bacterial soap and have been using that ever since. It wasn’t just sores I was suffering from as I often got itchy armpits. Both these things flared up after a ride and after I had showered, so both the itchy armpits and the saddle sores appeared after I’d ridden, showered and thought my skin was clean.

Since last winter, I’ve been clear again. I still use Doublebase gel when I ride (outdoors or on the turbo), I get out of my cycling clothes as soon as I practically can when I finish a ride, I use anti-bacterial soap applying the bar directly to the skin and if I have any soreness or chafing after a long ride I use either a little Doublebase Gel or Savlon to soothe it.

Don’t know if this squares with any of your experience, but I know the pain and frustration saddle sores cause, so I hope its helpful to you.

Started with discomfort, thought it prostate, then internal piles- but no. I didn't change my seat because its been great for 3 maybe 4 years. I started being more clean, but this just created dermatitis issues, which Im suffering with now. I need to have several days off to recover and let everything settle down. I decided on a saddle change, so sat here with £500 worth of various saddles, which Im trying. I re measured my sit points. Even though my original saddle was fine, it was slightly narrow from the recommended width. I did todays ride which became 2 hours long with very little aggravating of my skin. I think its just about fine adjustment of position to dial in comfort.
So a few rides will hopefully allow me to assess and if there are no set backs, I'll begin to up my riding again. My summer events will have to be shelved and rebuild a base again. Im going to chill and not stress about lost form and start building up for autumn. Im quite heavy due to lack of training and a fair bit of self pity, but that will come off with more riding and PMA

 

[bobinski]

Bikini waxing AND an aero helmet???

Why are you riding without your bike shorts on?

Removing your pubes and streamlining the end of your knob won’t make you go any faster!!

 

[<Tommy>]

Started with discomfort, thought it prostate, then internal piles- but no. I didn't change my seat because its been great for 3 maybe 4 years. I started being more clean, but this just created dermatitis issues, which Im suffering with now. I need to have several days off to recover and let everything settle down. I decided on a saddle change, so sat here with £500 worth of various saddles, which Im trying. I re measured my sit points. Even though my original saddle was fine, it was slightly narrow from the recommended width. I did todays ride which became 2 hours long with very little aggravating of my skin. I think its just about fine adjustment of position to dial in comfort.
So a few rides will hopefully allow me to assess and if there are no set backs, I'll begin to up my riding again. My summer events will have to be shelved and rebuild a base again. Im going to chill and not stress about lost form and start building up for autumn. Im quite heavy due to lack of training and a fair bit of self pity, but that will come off with more riding and PMA

Sounds like you got the right attitude mate. Sometimes only rest will do.

I spent a while with saddles that weren’t quite right for me. I used to try and solve it by using one model of bib short that worked best and wouldn’t go out without chamois cream. Then I was lucky and found a saddle that seems to fit me perfectly. I realised that padding is less important than saddle shape. The saddle I have now is basically zero padding on a carbon shell but I can ride for hours with no probs at all. I Haven’t used chamois cream in over a year. Maybe the added weight has changed your proportions a bit? Or you’ve just changed shape slightly with time. Hope you find your holy grail of saddles! It’s no fun riding in discomfort.

 

[JuhaL]

I bought recently new saddle Fizik Arione R3 Open, feels good after few rides. But need to say that old bib shorts can make feel any saddle uncomfortable. Just bought 3 new bibshorts, 2 castelli and 1 sportful and now that cycling is even nicer. Padding is losing quality in 2-3 years.

 

[bobinski]

FWIW i used to get a sore arse or worse when riding a more upright position on the bike. Not at all dependent on saddle. More upright so more weight over arse Bike fit sorted weight distribution.
Didnt you change your bike frame?

 

[Whorty]

Bikini waxing AND an aero helmet???

Why are you riding without your bike shorts on?

Removing your pubes and streamlining the end of your knob won’t make you go any faster!!

You say that, and yet my times are improving Marginal gains

 

[CXRAndy]

FWIW i used to get a sore arse or worse when riding a more upright position on the bike. Not at all dependent on saddle. More upright so more weight over arse Bike fit sorted weight distribution.
Didnt you change your bike frame?

Is that me Bob? I did but with my cutout Ism saddle, no pressure centrally for several years. Maybe body has changed or I had developed a condition and I ignored it too long. Im better with less riding- albeit unfit compared to winter.

 

[berty bassett]

@Whorty - have you entered toc ? What one ?

 

[bobinski]

Is that me Bob? I did but with my cutout Ism saddle, no pressure centrally for several years. Maybe body has changed or I had developed a condition and I ignored it too long. Im better with less riding- albeit unfit compared to winter.

Yes, sorry I did mean you Andy.
I have had to swap out bikes on turbo and frame angles etc require a more upright sit and so have to use different bib shorts to ease the pressure.
I think bib shorts are under-rated. Find the right one for you and it could help.The thicker pad in the la passione are ideal for me on turbo. The lighter thinner Kalf ones ideal for IRL rides.Good luck finding an answer.

 

[Milzy]

Who's doing the Tour on Thursday apart from myself, Andy & new Andy? Whorty I feel you can PB the Alpe now. It would be great if we had at least 6 of us.

 

[<Tommy>]

Yes, sorry I did mean you Andy.
I have had to swap out bikes on turbo and frame angles etc require a more upright sit and so have to use different bib shorts to ease the pressure.
I think bib shorts are under-rated. Find the right one for you and it could help.The thicker pad in the la passione are ideal for me on turbo. The lighter thinner Kalf ones ideal for IRL rides.Good luck finding an answer.

I think bib shorts can paper over the cracks. Or just pad over the crack as the case may be...

I think if you find the right saddle the bibs become less relevant. Of course ideally you find the best of both.