TT biking club

“Thanks lee 'cause it does get to be a pain sometime. Do you also do armpits?”

“oh my . . .”

“...but seriously biking folks. I need some advice. Please don't laugh, k?

With 3.5 and 4 hour bike workouts on the weekend that I'm pretty sure are only going to get longer, how do I avoid the seemingly inevitable [i]chafing[i]? I've tried different seats and bike shorts. Do I need to go with some kind of body glide?

This is a serious query although but I'm bracing myself for thread degradation.”

“baby oil

I will shave you, then rub you down with baby oil.

then we'll go for a ride.”

“OR>


For long runs in the summer I used body glide . . .


I have also used it on high mileage days hiking.





At the risk of stepping over the line, yet again . . ..my nipples get really chafed in synthetic wicking type shirts during runs of more than an hour. . .”

“Knew it, but there does seem to be some sense in the middle of the degradation.

band aids, lee”

“Sorry Dhutch . . . .


But you put it down . . . I couldn't not pick it up.

had to!!!!”

“understood.”

“I think there was a serious reference to chafing, and I wonder what type of fabric dude is wearing. If the saddle is a proper fit and angle and the shorts are spandex with a "chamios" liner it should be minimized. The baggier style shorts could cause an issue on long rides.”

“spandex shorts (comando), chamois butter or runners lube.

I usually avoid saddle pain by starting with short rides and working up to longer ones - but it doesn't sound like that's an option for you.
last edited: 4/01/05 8:27:00 AM”

“DUDE????!!!!

Seriously, I ride with spandex shorts, commando exept that it's been cold so spandex tights underneath for now. I haven't tried the butter or lube, so hope that helps.

I was fine during the ramp up from 1 hour to 3 hours. It seems that over 3 hours and you're going to have some digging. :-(

Twig do you have preferred brand seeing as you are of the same gender as myself?

Dude, psssht! ;-D”

“I put my tights on over my shorts...I find that any little thing bugs me...should be interesting when I try out some baggies I bought last year. Seams suck.

I think it's this stuff

I'm not big into spending $$ on biking shorts, but some of them have awesome padding...mine aren't that great. Actually, the ones I like the best aren't chamois, they're something else - I'll have to look at them and let you know.
last edited: 4/01/05 11:11:48 AM”

“Dudehutchie.....lmao!
Sorry D I just couldn't resist :-)

On a more serious note....I usually just use plain old Gold Bond body powder.

Also I agree with twigs...always wear the shorts on the inside....seams suck!”

“From Bicyling mags website.


It is today's tip . .. .nice timing:




Saddle Sore Relief
Developed a raw area over the saddle? Try over-the-counter Bag Balm, which may clear up the problem overnight.”

“I'm a big fan of bag balm, but think about it for a minute - ick!

chamois butter
last edited: 4/01/05 12:29:10 PM”

“It sounds like the bag balm is for the worn raw spots that have already occurred. I'll try it if the chamois butter doesn't work.

OK, OK shorts on the inside, but then I can't take them off for the running portions of the workouts. :-(”

“Oh, I wasn't thinking about that...do you think the seams in the tights are part of the problem? They would be for me, but maybe not you...”

“badger balm might be a good thing to try as well.”

“Twig --

I am missing something . . . .

Shorts on under tights.


ISn't that hugely bunchy????


I just were spandex padded bike shorts (not baggies) commnando. . .My cold weather tights don't have a chammy, so I just slide them over the bike shorts.


but I am fairly sure my spandex doesn't have seams anywhere that binds . . . .


Now I am not a woman . .(nope, still not, just checked) ... ..so my binding issues may be different than yours.


I am trying to picture the seams in my head .. ..not sure where they are.”

“seams don't "seem" to be the issue as it is not the upper thigh that is the problem. It "seems" to be more where the leg attaches to the uh...torso.”

“I just were spandex padded bike shorts (not baggies) commnando. . .My cold weather tights don't have a chammy, so I just slide them over the bike shorts.

exactly. spandex shorts w/chamois under spandex tights w/o chamois.
(PS - are you really a Tea troll? LOL)

the tights have a seam which can be irritating if worn under the shorts. After you've been in the saddle for a few hours, it feels like it's being driven into your butt. I could tell you the worst thing I ever wore biking, but I won't...LOL
lee - I don't know what you mean by "binding"...just the fact that the seam is there is a problem.

Hey, how's the century training going?”

“It "seems" to be more where the leg attaches to the uh...torso.”
dhutch1
2:22:46 PM
4/01/05

I know just what you mean dhutch - definately get both the lube and the chamois butter. :)

or put bag balm right there and see what happens, LOL...actually, I want lee to do it and report back...or maybe it wouldn't be the same for him??

Hutch, do you know where I can get bluing?”

“nevermind (bluing) I found it...”

“for extra whiteness?”

“yeah, I thought you might know where to get it, as I remember using it when we had a horse...it's hard to find these days, but I think I have. We're making crystal gardens this weekend.
sorry for the off topic posts!
=D”

“If you didn't find it, it's in your laundry detergent department. May be hard to find but you can also check out wwww.statelinetack.com they would have something with bluing in the shampoo and conditioner area. We horse people use it for keeping the white on our horses sparkling in the show ring.”

“Oh yeah, the thing I found that bothers me the most is gel in the saddle or in the shorts pad. I can use the harder gel saddles with vinyl, but the softer ones with a more porous cover are awful.”

“Twig --

LMAO re: Tea troll. Yup .. ..my spulling slides downhill sometimes (and word choice: were vs wear)


Okay . .. .understand your outfit. I don't remember if my tights have a seam or not down the butt crack. I'll have to check .. ..they are bike specific.

These are them:




These tights give 360° of reflectivity, the supportive, heavyweight 8.2 oz. nylon/LYCRA® front and rear panels, breathable 5.6 oz. side panels with illumiNITE® to keep you comfortable and visible during wintertime training.”

“OH re: Chafing where the uh .. .."leg meets the torso"

Sometimes I get a hot spot directly .. under . .. .between . ..

uhm . . . .directly under and between .. . .that about covers it.


but not often . . .I have been on the bike all day (with breaks of course).


last year I biked around martha's vineyard.

I stopped at a nude beach down by gayhead cliffs and went for a swim.

I dried out best I could (no towel or other implements)


The sand and salt got to me a bit over the next 40 miles.”

“Century training is going okay.

I am set to peak from a form, techinique and drill perspective in early June.

So that's all well and good.


But time on the bike is time on the bike is time on the bike.



And I don't have any time on the bike yet.

It is gonna pour tomorrow .. ..I might be able to go out Sunday after it lets up.

I went out 22 miles last Friday . . .my first day on the bike since October. I went out just 10 miles on Sunday for a drill on a hill. . .. .(dat sounds funny).


It is a longish hill (about 2.3 miles) and was simply trying to sustain a high cadence and maximum effort (without blowing up) all the way to the top. I should have done two of them, but I had to get to a wake for a client's mother .. ..(excuses excuses).”

“I'm hoping to get my first ride in Sunday as well...
the Kennebec is supposed to flood, and I'm not even gonna think about my dooryard! I gotta let the kids play in it for a bit though, they look forward to mud season.

If I can just get all my biking gear out and ready to go, I'll be happy - then bike on Monday.”

“I wish we had hills like that in MI???
Where's your dedication that a little rain stops you?”

“No hills in MI? Maine is nothing but hills.

If Conneticut gets rain like we've got predicted here in Maine, it won't be "little" LOL...
We got a notice at work today about the flooding, telling us to stay home, blah blah....course this is Maine so we'll all be on the bridges watching the ice come down.”

“Time to transition into biking! Had to get my wheels trued, replace brake/shifters and a tune up. The bike is ready to go, time for me to step up the biking.

Like lee, working towards a century, mine is a the Ride for the Roses again, Mid Oct. I've got time for a nice half century intermediate goal.

My Peleton Project

Weather is going to be perfect this weekend. Sunny, low 70's, no wind. Plenty of vertical around here though. Harder to avoid than find.

lee, have you checked out

Lance Armstrong Performance Program

It is basically the Carmicheal Training system compressed into 7 weeks. The Carmicheal Training System book is good too,much more theory, but does have some example training schedules. Don't fall for the CTS free offer, just a scam to get you on a credit card plan. The Eating for Fitness book is pretty good. I keep all around, but you could easily get the idea, copy some training plans from a library copy. Great advice on hydration, managing carbs etc.

Happy biking! Watch your 0600!”

“Ugh saddle sores suck!

I am chuckling as I read the description of the geopgraphy where the boo boo occurs, way too funny.

May your ride be smooth and your "area where the legs meets torso, and the area under and in between" be pain free.”

“Leisurely 20 mile round trip to REI. Felt hot today but only 71!”

“Went out and did a 2hr45min ride with dhutch today,56 and sunny but killer winds. The weather channel called it breezy...17-23mph isnt breezy LOL. A great time regardless. No saddle discomfort either.”

“A little rain was 3 inches. I did get out yesterday afternoon for 1:45.


26 miles of hills.


“I wish we had hills like that in MI???
Where's your dedication that a little rain stops you?”
dhutch1
4:29:36 PM

Holy cow woman!!! Now I know why the have you on the team!!!!! ;)



I live about 2 miles as the crow flies from the CT river. The river is basically sea level (it is probably 20 feet above). I live at 600 feet. When the glaciers retreated from south to north about 15,000 years ago they left alll of these 4-800 foot ridges that run north south. If you are biking east west you go up and down and up and down.

the first ride I described, 11 miles out and 11 back.


It was 11 miles southeast generally downhill to the river . ..and 11 miles back uphill. Not one big long hammer . . ..but a general bias back uphill with some pretty good steep climbs thrown in. Very little true flat.

Of the 26 miles yesterday . . .maybe 6 was qualified as flat (a slight grade in one direction or another). . ..the rest was pretty hilly. Occaisonally spitting rain . .wind .. . .it really was quite fun (not).

I came into the final hill from a side road at the 2/3 point so i had about
.8 miles to go (my house is at the top).

The final .3 climb to my house is pretty steep. I finally stood on my pedals for the final 300 yards and .. . . had nothing! My left quad started to spasm .. ..I thought it was gonna lock up in a cramp and I prepared to get the hell out of my clips and bail out.

I got my butt back in the seat (actually it just happened. . . my leg sort of collapsed) . .dropped back into my lowest gear and just ground away. Leg didn't cramp ..I made it to the top and waved to my youngest son who had been waiting in the light rain for me to appear (he was hitting plastic golf balls around the driveway) .. .I rode on by until the road leveled out . . .cleared my legs out a bit, and then swung around and came back.


My son was happy to see me. And a roast chicken had just come out of the oven.


I was glad I went out . ..but boy . ..42 degrees, damp, breezy . .. . .


It took me 15 minutes to not feel cold. And it took about a 1/2 hour for my legs to warm up.”

“I need a "man-wife". When I come home for a ride, I have to cook dinner!

I also have "terrain envy"”

“A man-wife, now that's a good idea!

I'd like one who cleans the endless messes I make with gear and kid stuff...

I didn't get out biking this weekend, we got 4 inches of rain, and it was in the 30s...yeah I know, excuses, excuses....LOL

I'm taking my sandals in today to get cleats put on as I don't want to take the cleats off my shoes. Also delivering a bike to a friend who signed up to do the trek but has nothing - no bike, no gear, etc...
Just like backpacking, I could outfit a few people, so she's all set.
:)”

“That's really nice of you to get someone started Twig.

Can you ride indoors on a trainer or at the gym? Now might be a good time to pick up a bike trainer on sale/clearance.”

“She'll have to figure out the saddle thing and get cleats for the shoes, but those are no big deal.

Yep, I can do both, there are bikes at the gym and I have a trainer...both bore me practically to tears, and neither gives quite the workout as biking outside. If I really *had* to get started today, I would do one or the other though...”

“I went for my first bike ride of the year today. It was great to be back on the bike and I'm hoping to ride more this year than I did last year. I didn't ride indoors at all this winter, but I didn't feel bad on the bike today. I'm nursing a sore hip so I tried to go for an easy ride as possible with all the hills around here. At least the bike is low impact so I think I'll be able to ride until I heal up.

It'll be a little longer before the mountain biking gets good because of all the rain we had.”

“Packed to bike to work tomorrow, looks like a hell of a tailwind in, headwind out. =8-O

Tuesday
Windy Mostly sunny. Windy...cooler. Highs in the 50s to lower 60s. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 50 mph.”

“The bike is on the back of my Explorer and I'm ready for a group trail ride this evening. I love daylight savings time!!! All of a sudden workouts in the evening are so much easier.”

“Dhutch . .. ..where were you this morning.


My crew from last year had a ride going this morning. They were headed up past my house at 5:45.


As i otfen do, I slept poorly anticipating the ride, and finally was awake most of the time between 3:00-5:00 when I got up.


Was ready and across the street at 5:45.

By 5;55 no one had showed. ugh.


So . . .I got on the bike and pedaled off down the rode . . ..slowly.

35 degrees. Dark. No wind to speak of.

I put in about 15 miles. Followed a ridgeline down hill towards Long Island soound for about 7.5 miles and then took a couple of paraell rodes back up. Slow ride down because of the cold and dark . .. slow ride back because of the uphill.


Am happy I went out .. ..but I had pretty much been looking forward to drafting someone!!”

“My workout today is in the evening. So I was snuggled in the covers for an extra hour. mmmmmmm.

Good job getting out there and riding lee. The one nice thing about riding alone is that your brain has time to wander. Sometimes towards your misery but at least it's your own pace, within your own being. I do value my alone time.”

“I love to ride alone...I cringe when people ask if they can train with me, but I always say yes...it usually doesn't work out schedule wise, and that's fine with me.

Trying to bike with someone on a ride like the Trek is difficult when there's a coupla thousand other bikers on the road. Plus I think of that weekend as MY time. On the other hand, tours like the one I'm doing in Nova Scotia are no fun to bike alone.

I'm going on vacation in Florida at the end of next week, so I may not actually start biking until I get back. I do have this nifty rowing machine that some nice TTers gave me that I'm gonna drag out tonight.”

“11 miles to work, 15mph quarter head wind. 46F.

I love listening to traffic reports while cruising along enjoying the ride.”

“No riding for me until my hip heals. I woke up this morning with it feeling worse so I know riding yesterday aggravated it. It feels like someone kicked me in the ass with a hiking boot.”