BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

It helps reduce friction, which is better than nothing on abraded/heat-rashed sensitive bits.

Diaper cream works well, too, for after-the-damage-is-done lessening of discomfort.

Check the saddle sores thread as well. But yeah, why not bring it and use it as need be. Or just use it on the second day.

What brand did you use and where did you apply it? I can barely feel it after a few minutes.

@Chris -- I got "Chamois BUTT'r EUROSTYLE." I guess maybe I put too much on, or put it in the wrong places, I dunno. It doesn't seem like rocket science, but it felt sorta gross. I just put it on the areas where I figured there'd be seat contact. I didn't think that applying it to the shorts was the right tactic.

I'm going to give it another test ride tomorrow. Worst case, I'll keep it for if things start feeling like they're getting hot spots.

Just put it where you've had chafing in the past. For me, that's... well, never mind where, actually. I've heard of ms150 riders getting sores on the sit bones, but I don't know if they were wearing padded shorts.

A little dab will do ya...

That stuff, and any of the mentholated creams, can feel weird because of the menthol. I only use that stuff in the summer.

I actually apply it to the chamois itself. When I started riding you still needed to apply stuff to the chamois before a ride (this is post leather chamois but still really lame chamois). Might be worth giving that a try too.

Haa...I was talking with an older (70+) guy at work who is a Brit. He said that when he did centuries, he "put that stuff on his Bum...but just on the cheeks, mind you."

Maybe I'll be more judicious about the application and give it another go.

Haa...I was talking with an older (70+) guy at work who is a Brit. He said that when he did centuries, he "put that stuff on his Bum...but just on the cheeks, mind you."

Maybe I'll be more judicious about the application and give it another go.

LOL, I'm so inept...

I use the assos stuff (yeah, I know its expensive, but a can will last almost an entire season), my wife uses chamois butter of the standard formulation from the tube. I think another added benefit of chamois cream in certain formulations is that there are antimicrobial properties which help keep things from getting too smelly down there and help preserve the chamois. I put chamois cream on my skin pretty much every time I go out anymore. I apply it like I would any other kind of lotion, like sunscreen or hand lotion in terms of amount. As stated, a little dab will do ya. I personally don't notice it's even there, so if things are squishy down there, you're probably using too much. I use diaper wipes beforehand to clean things up, then apply to any areas that will rub to avoid chafing, with special attention to my perineum and ischial tuberosities aka "sitbones" as these are the contact points with the saddle. It sounds gross, but don't forget the crack too, which can also be a source of chafing on a longer ride. Good luck!

On a related note (and though it's too late for this event), the chafing pattern will probably depend on the particular pair of shorts you're wearing. If you only have one or two pair of bike shorts, try a few more styles of shorts and pads. As a rule of thumb (though not without exception) the shorts that will fit better will also cost more, so if you're always looking at the bottom-of-the-line shorts, you're going to be looking a lot longer.

And if you wear bib shorts, you may find chafing in, um, unexpected locations. Bandaids are a quick fix for that.

Post MS-150 lessons learned...

I ended up using the chamois cream, and it really *is* wonderful stuff. Since it was apparent that I couldn't figure out where to put it on me, I ended up applying it to the pad in the shorts (just on the side areas and seams, where I figured it'd rub). It actually did make things feel more comfortable.

When I took a good look at the pad, even though the high-density foam stuff seems soft, I can see where a little cream can make things even more comfortable. I'm sold on the stuff, but only for longer rides. I can't see using it to/from work.

Edit: Oh, and I really was using *way* too much of the stuff the first time!

I read this thread (and the other one) with some interest but ultimately decided a ride this long wasn't the time to try something new. My "sit bones" are definitely sore although I don't have any real chafing or sores - so maybe that means I should continue to go creamless?

@salty Im in the same boat, I brought some along but never used it. Not really too sore anywhere and no sores or chaffing so Im not sure what to think.

I did chamois butter basically every seam in the shorts, and I think that prevented any chafing.

My sit bones are the only part of my midsection that really hurt. And they feel like I was hit with a hammer. I'm told this means that I need a wider seat.

I don't think that sore sit bones indicate a poor saddle fit.

Any thoughts about what it does indicate? Other than that I could stand to drop 25 pounds or so...

I would say drop 25 pounds, switch to a road bike, ride harder, sit less, get done sooner.

Dan says "get bent." But the other randonee guys might have more useful advice.

Dan says "get bent." But the other randonee guys might have more useful advice.

He does?

I'd suggest experimenting with modifying riding technique (getting out of the saddle more frequently), shorts (different padding), and saddle position (tilt, for example) before anything more drastic.

Lyle's advice about getting done sooner is also good.

Get out of the saddle more. I stood for all of or part of every hill. Wore padded shorts, absolutely not sore anywhere down there after this weekend.

Seamless/smooth padding. Despite marketing to the contrary, you don't want bumpy special effects in your shorts, particularly on the skin side. I've been going with Bontrager RXL for a year with no problem (+ dznuts cream). With shorts, you get what you pay for. What are your, erm, assets worth?

Seat: I've been riding the same Selle Italia Flite for almost 10 yrs. It's on it's 3rd bike. Oldest component in use on my bike. There's something to be said for a good saddle. Minimal padding. You might look at a $170 seat & say no way, but again, you get what you pay for. $17 per year over 10 years was a pretty good investment for keeping my ass happy.

On the way home from the ms150, i commented that my chamois butter had exploded all over the contents of my camelbak. the dude sitting next to me asked me what the stuff was. when i explained it to him, he thought up an awesome commercial for the product.

"you know what really chaps my ass? Nothing! thanks to chamois butter!"