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Bicycle Shorts Questions
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 2016-07-12 7:48 AM |
Regular  309  Euless, Texas |  Subject: Bicycle Shorts QuestionsI did my longest ride this past Saturday (96 miles) in preparation for a century ride at the end of August. I finished my ride, although barely. Amongst poor nutrition (which is why I did such a long training ride and will do at least a couple more so I can dial in my nutrition needs) my quads were starting to cramp around mile 70. So those last 25 miles or so were hard to finish. I couldn't stand up to pedal because my legs wanted to lock and it was hard pedaling up most hills. I was doing a lot of 11mph up hills  It also helped lead to some mental fatigue too. Also in those last 25 miles my nether region was getting sore. I wore a pair of Zoot performance 6" tri shorts that I wear all the time. They have a thin chamois which I like. I do not like the thick pads of regular cycling shorts. But I'm thinking that maybe on really long rides, a thicker pad would be better? What do 140.6 athletes wear? Surely they don't wear a huge padded short while swimming and their butt's just get used to a smaller chamois on the bike? Also, if I wore a longer pair of shorts, like some kind of compression shorts, could that help my quads not to cramp so much? Or do some of you wear a pair of compression shorts on top of your padded cycling shorts (or vice versa)? Just trying to make some sense of why my ride turned so miserable and went downhill at the end. |
| 2016-07-12 8:22 AM in reply to: jjupiter100 |
Expert 1168  Vancouver (not Canada) Washington (not D.C.) | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions A couple answers. On longer rides were bike specific shorts with a thicker pad. Also, there are some chamois creams with ridiculous names that can really help. Experiment with them during training. I wouldn't try multiple shorts attempting more compression. Training, pacing and nutrition will help with leg cramping the most. Finally, for 140.6 events I've always worn tri-shorts and have used chamois cream. This is pretty common. There are also a large group of people that do full changes between events because they perform better when comfortable. Finally, not all bike saddles are created equally. You may need to try experiment there if you just can't get comfortable. |
| 2016-07-12 9:37 AM in reply to: jjupiter100 |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions First try some chamois cream, I don't know anyone that does centuries without some. I typically apply on any ride over 50 miles. Tri shorts or thin pad bike shorts can work fine on long rides. I have 2 bike bibs the one with the thinner pad is actually better on long distance rides. It's just a better quality. As for your legs hurting, yea that's called a long ride  You may have been going harder then you should have for that distance or not taken in enough water, or just need to get used to it. |
| 2016-07-12 10:24 AM in reply to: mike761 |
Expert 4621 Middle River, Maryland Silver member | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions + whatever on the chamois cream - anything over an hour or so and I use it. As for shorts, I use the DeSoto Forza tri shorts, which has a 4mm pad that is a nice balance between the really thin fleece ones and the diaper-size ones. |
| 2016-07-12 11:23 AM in reply to: mike761 |
| 701 | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions Not to induce terribly rude responses.... But, regarding application of said creams.... Where? How? I mean, I'll do 50-60 miles pretty regularly with no issues...either in tri-shorts or cycling shorts. Towards fall, I'm going to start pushing that a little further. I think I would know "where" to put it....if I've had issues. I just haven't had any....issues. Just trying to be a little proactive here. And I'm being totally honest and serious in asking this. I swear I'm not trying to take this into the gutter. |
| 2016-07-12 1:01 PM in reply to: jhaack39 |
Expert 4621 Middle River, Maryland Silver member | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions Originally posted by jhaack39 Not to induce terribly rude responses.... But, regarding application of said creams.... Where? How? I mean, I'll do 50-60 miles pretty regularly with no issues...either in tri-shorts or cycling shorts. Towards fall, I'm going to start pushing that a little further. I think I would know "where" to put it....if I've had issues. I just haven't had any....issues. Just trying to be a little proactive here. And I'm being totally honest and serious in asking this. I swear I'm not trying to take this into the gutter. No worries, and no gutter answer here. I squirt some out of the tube onto the chamois (or I guess synthetic pad LOL) and rub it in. I don't apply directly to my body. |
| 2016-07-12 1:41 PM in reply to: jmhpsu93 |
| 701 | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions Originally posted by jmhpsu93 Originally posted by jhaack39 Not to induce terribly rude responses.... But, regarding application of said creams.... Where? How? I mean, I'll do 50-60 miles pretty regularly with no issues...either in tri-shorts or cycling shorts. Towards fall, I'm going to start pushing that a little further. I think I would know "where" to put it....if I've had issues. I just haven't had any....issues. Just trying to be a little proactive here. And I'm being totally honest and serious in asking this. I swear I'm not trying to take this into the gutter. No worries, and no gutter answer here. I squirt some out of the tube onto the chamois (or I guess synthetic pad LOL) and rub it in. I don't apply directly to my body. I assume....that's....uh....on the 'inside' of the pad? Not on the outside. Must be. Otherwise, I suppose you could go right onto the seat. Learn something new every day. Fortunately, I've never had any issues. Anytime. Only time I ever used my little stick of Body Glide was the first race I did with my wetsuit....because the first time I wore it in water for about 20 minutes it felt like it was 'getting at me' right at the top of my chest. That was also in salt water. Didn't feel the same kind of thing when I used it that second time. Maybe it's just loosened up, I don't even bother now. In fact, my only real problem....is...if I run over say...8.25 miles, I gotta have some nipple tape. And I'll need it the next day if a long ride is in store. For the record, the store brand medical adhesive/first aid tape.....never works. It's gotta be Johnson and Johnson. Band-Aids don't work for me either. For one, there's nothing in the right size. I can cut that tape to the perfect dimensions to provide adequate coverage and adhesive area....and not catch too much surrounding hair. I am not ever....going to shave/wax my nipple area. Of course, I say that now.... |
| 2016-07-12 3:01 PM in reply to: jjupiter100 |
| Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions Bibs + Chamois cream |
| 2016-07-12 3:14 PM in reply to: jmhpsu93 |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions Originally posted by jmhpsu93 Originally posted by jhaack39 Not to induce terribly rude responses.... But, regarding application of said creams.... Where? How? I mean, I'll do 50-60 miles pretty regularly with no issues...either in tri-shorts or cycling shorts. Towards fall, I'm going to start pushing that a little further. I think I would know "where" to put it....if I've had issues. I just haven't had any....issues. Just trying to be a little proactive here. And I'm being totally honest and serious in asking this. I swear I'm not trying to take this into the gutter. No worries, and no gutter answer here. I squirt some out of the tube onto the chamois (or I guess synthetic pad LOL) and rub it in. I don't apply directly to my body. I put it right on my body not the chamois, that way I know its where it needs to be. As far as where; do a 75-80 mile ride without and you should know. Everyone is a little different, and some people may not even need it. For me once I hit about 60-65 mile I will start feeling the burn if I don't use cream. |
| 2016-07-12 6:48 PM in reply to: mike761 |
Extreme Veteran 1190 Silicon Valley | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions I guess I am the odd ball here. I wear compression bike shorts on all long rides without any creams. That includes centuries. So far, so good. |
| 2016-07-12 9:16 PM in reply to: Stuartap |
| 265 | Subject: RE: Bicycle Shorts Questions Did a HIM a few weeks ago and took the time to change to full padding bike shorts. Did a sprint last weekend and wore tri shorts through the S-B-R. For me I tailor the padding in the shorts to the bike duration. Your comment on nip chafe is interesting. No problem on the HIM but oh mommy they hurt after the sprint. Of course, the entire bike portion and half the run was in driving rain. 3M makes duct tape band aids. Those suckers are not going to come off any way, any how without taking some hair with them. You might try 'em. |
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