I’m assuming there is some correlation of saddle sores and being tired on the bike. Maybe I’m putting more pressure on the area? They eventually go away but they always seem to come back. I’ve narrowed it down to increase run mileage and overall stress from training. Or bike shorts that need to be replaced. It seems that if I replace shorts every 2 months I don’t get it but this was without much running. My shorts don’t get washed right away but stay in the washer usually till evening when I do laundry. Maybe this is my problem. The bacteria is growing on these and the wash is not killing it. I wash them on cold water. Thoughts?
Thoughts?
New saddle.
Try buying some hibiclens soap and use it on yourself and on your shorts. Also let the shorts dry out after you ride in them and wash them after every ride. I suspect a lot of these recurring saddle sores are due to antibiotic resistant bacteria you need a strong antibiotic soap like hibiclens to reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin and in your shorts.
I’m not sure if this is it. I was riding October through now without any problems with most weeks 10+hrs on the bike.
How much are you swimming and showering?
I’m up to 5 swims a week plus probably something like 12+ showers. I’m so damn clean bacteria trembles in my presence. I hardly even use deoderant anymore except in summer or if I skip a shower after a morning workout. I often reuse shorts 2 times too.
Just throwing that out there. But obvisously everyone tolerance is different. I tink once you get even a mild sore, then hygene becomes a bigger issue.
Other things that matter:
- how aggressive you position is. More weight on your arms = less weight on your saddle
- how much you weight. Less weight = less pressure
- how much power you make (more power = less pressure on the saddle). So easy rides will make you more sore than harder steady state efforts.
Maybe your just weak and not riding hard enough.
In all seriousness, I used to get horrible sores over even 100+ mpw, now at a consistent 120-200+ and no issues at all, but I went to a Cobb JOF saddle and kept tweaking the angle until it felt just right. It will rpobably get worse when I’m doing more longer rides outdoors this spring and summer… if spring ever comes.
Kind of a personal question/observation, do any of you groom that area? Haven’t had an issue yet (knock on wood, not that wood) and I keep that area clean shaven. Just a thought…
How much are you swimming and showering?
I’m up to 5 swims a week plus probably something like 12+ showers. I’m so damn clean bacteria trembles in my presence. I hardly even use deoderant anymore except in summer or if I skip a shower after a morning workout. I often reuse shorts 2 times too.
Just throwing that out there. But obvisously everyone tolerance is different. I tink once you get even a mild sore, then hygene becomes a bigger issue.
Other things that matter:
- how aggressive you position is. More weight on your arms = less weight on your saddle
- how much you weight. Less weight = less pressure
- how much power you make (more power = less pressure on the saddle). So easy rides will make you more sore than harder steady state efforts.
Maybe your just weak and not riding hard enough.
In all seriousness, I used to get horrible sores over even 100+ mpw, now at a consistent 120-200+ and no issues at all, but I went to a Cobb JOF saddle and kept tweaking the angle until it felt just right. It will rpobably get worse when I’m doing more longer rides outdoors this spring and summer… if spring ever comes.
I’m using a road bike on my trainer this winter. I’m riding pretty hard almost every ride. No easy rides. I went all of October through now without one…until this week. The only thing I can think of is the shorts are 2 months old and I haven’t been washing immediately after each ride.
Are you running right after you ride (i.e. wearing the tri shorts for longer than just during the ride)? I try to get out of sweaty, chamois-creamed shorts and clean myself off as quickly as possible. I also bring my shorts into the shower, rinse them down, soap them up a bit, rinse them off, and let them air dry…and then wash them on the weekend when I do the rest of my laundry. The less amount of time you give for bacteria to grow on you or your shorts, the better off you’ll be.
So if your increase run volume is done in bike shorts post-ride, maybe the link makes sense.
Are you running right after you ride (i.e. wearing the tri shorts for longer than just during the ride)? I try to get out of sweaty, chamois-creamed shorts and clean myself off as quickly as possible. I also bring my shorts into the shower, rinse them down, soap them up a bit, rinse them off, and let them air dry…and then wash them on the weekend when I do the rest of my laundry. The less amount of time you give for bacteria to grow on you or your shorts, the better off you’ll be.
So if your increase run volume is done in bike shorts post-ride, maybe the link makes sense.
Nope I take them off and throw them in the washer then go out for run. But most of the time I am swimming after biking. I don’t wash up down there right away so maybe this is my real problem. I usually take them off and then throw on my swim shorts and t shirt get into car to go swimming. Or if I am doing brick run I will throw on run clothes. I usually shower after swimming or the brick run.
Saddle sores come in stages of severity. Perhaps too much for you, but if you use a mirror: Are yours broken skin, blisters, carbuncles, or only reddened, tender skin? How many sites? Do any look puss-filled?
I’m assuming there is some correlation of saddle sores and being tired on the bike. Maybe I’m putting more pressure on the area? They eventually go away but they always seem to come back. I’ve narrowed it down to increase run mileage and overall stress from training. Or bike shorts that need to be replaced. It seems that if I replace shorts every 2 months I don’t get it but this was without much running. My shorts don’t get washed right away but stay in the washer usually till evening when I do laundry. Maybe this is my problem. The bacteria is growing on these and the wash is not killing it. I wash them on cold water. Thoughts?
Do your running shorts have a liner in them? They could be rubbing that area and adding extra irritation. Could use chamois cream or some version of body glide in the area before running to help out. Just another idea…
Saddle sores come in stages of severity. Perhaps too much for you, but if you use a mirror: Are yours broken skin, blisters, carbuncles, or only reddened, tender skin? How many sites? Do any look puss-filled?
I’m assuming there is some correlation of saddle sores and being tired on the bike. Maybe I’m putting more pressure on the area? They eventually go away but they always seem to come back. I’ve narrowed it down to increase run mileage and overall stress from training. Or bike shorts that need to be replaced. It seems that if I replace shorts every 2 months I don’t get it but this was without much running. My shorts don’t get washed right away but stay in the washer usually till evening when I do laundry. Maybe this is my problem. The bacteria is growing on these and the wash is not killing it. I wash them on cold water. Thoughts?
My saddle sore is just one sore…its hard and somewhat red. Doesn’t seem like puss but just hard like the size of a pea. Maybe its more of epidermal cyst and not infected. But usually these don’t go away and come back.
Chances are that’s an infected hair follicle. Someone posted that he shaved. Not a bad idea.
Chances are that’s an infected hair follicle. Someone posted that he shaved. Not a bad idea.
Apply antibiotic ointment or am I better off with oral antibiotics?
Bag balm.
having similiar problems…rode on a stock saddle for a long time, increasing bike and run mileage…i think my shorts are too old , and with biking every other day, it seems to never heal up. anyone try bibs/true bike shorts and just save the tri-shorts for the races?
i think my shorts are too old
Throw your shorts away and buy a good pair of bibs.
Antibiotic soap before and after should be adequate. Avoid oral antibiotics. Beljum Budder seems to have a healing quality.
Chances are that’s an infected hair follicle. Someone posted that he shaved. Not a bad idea.
Apply antibiotic ointment or am I better off with oral antibiotics?
so how many of you train in bibs and race in tri shorts?
+1
so how many of you train in bibs and race in tri shorts?
.