Saddle sore

jordan_217

After years of riding, I believe I've started to suffer from saddle sore(s). Not stopping me from riding but not very comfortable either.

I've treated with a 10% benzoyl peroxide cream which seems to have done the trick but after a 3 hr ride on Wednesday I seem to have got another one. The thing is I'm stumped as to why this has suddenly started occurring. From what I can tell the usual causes are:

1. Incorrect saddle height/position - My bikes are set up using bike fit measurements I had from a few years ago. Nothing has changed and I've never had a single problem until now.
2. The saddle itself - I use Fizik Ariones on my bikes. No problems until now. Could a saddle 'break down' prematurely? I'm going to swap over the saddles at the w'end just to rule it out.
3. Clothing/chamois - My clothes are cleaned after every ride and I don't sit around in my kit after a ride. All the bibs/tights I have at present are ones I've been using previously, with no issues.
4. Friction - I use a chamois cream and have done for a couple of years now on longer rides, never had a problem. I also don't feel any chaffing or hot spots when I'm riding.
5. Wiggle - I can't blame them.
6. MTFU - Well there is that.....

I've also thought about changes in shower gels, laundry gels/detergents, etc and there's nothing I can think of that I've changed recently. I haven't suddenly started doing more hours/miles in the saddle and have never had a problem before on rides lasting anywhere between 3-6 hrs.

I know it's not a glamorous subject but I'd appreciate any advice. I'm a bit stumped and I'd rather sort it now rather than risk time off the bike.

danlikesbikes

Has your riding pattern changed at all, by that I mean have you in the previous years been riding through the winter?

Only reason I ask is if not being out in colder weather with more clothing on could be making you sweat more and could be making your chamios cream less effective.

jordan_217

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Has your riding pattern changed at all, by that I mean have you in the previous years been riding through the winter?

Only reason I ask is if not being out in colder weather with more clothing on could be making you sweat more and could be making your chamios cream less effective.

No, I ride all year round and always have done I suppose. I don't really suffer with the cold so don't need to stick on more than two layers in Winter but I don't sweat excessively either. I can't put my finger on anything that I'm doing differently TBH.

mdgutsell

Have you

Twisted your ankle, changed cleats, got a tight hips?

I picked up a sore last summer which was due to changing my cleats, my left foot needed to a slight angle toe out heel in. Once that was changed sores went away in a couple of days.

I've found that assos skin repair cream really helps as does sudacrem

best of luck fixing that nasty sore

M

ut_och_cykla

over washing - of skin- can leave it prone to infections/sores. Not rinsing kit clean of detergent? colder wetter weather? think you've covered most of the common issues. Hormone change?? altering fat content of skin?

rnath

I'm only telling you this because I'm never going to meet any of you, but it may help... :oops:

I don't usually suffer from sores but had a period last year where I had a very irritating rash/sore I couldn't seem to get rid of. Somebody eventually suggested trying haemorrhoid cream - worked a treat, so guess I could have been repeatedly ripping a pile when cycling which may have been getting infected? I'm very careful now - scrubbing "down there" with antibacterial soap after riding and slapping in a bit of Germaloids at the first sign of any irritation. It's been fine since.

Routier

I can't help you with the cause as it seems as though you've got everything covered, but I suggest you try applying Sudocrem 3/4 times per day until it clears up and perhaps after rides even if you can't feel any chaffing down there.

cyco2

I would recommend the surgical spirit if you want to MTFU

viewtopic.php?p=16286764

carl_p

The only thing I can think of a possible cause is the pad in your shorts/tights is starting to break down to an extent that it has effectively altered the height of your saddle. Might be time to update your shorts.