![\"Saddle](\"https:\/\/tailwind-coaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/furuncle.jpg\" "\\"Saddle")
<\/a>Yes, those same pus-filled red bumps that made your teenage years hell have returned for a second attempt at ruining your life.\u00a0 This time, they're a lot harder to get rid of.\u00a0 Typically small and isolated, these can be extremely painful and keep you off the bike for several days to several weeks, especially if they become infected and turn into larger boils.\u00a0 This happens because we all have bacteria on our skin, and when they find a cozy place to set up shop and breed, you can end up with an oozing, pus-filled mess. That pimple or boil can ruin your training and racing, and preventing them can save you a lot of headaches later on.<\/p>\nChafing type saddle sores are generally a result of poor fitting shorts, seams that rub, poor saddle position or a lack of lube in your chamois. \u00a0They are often larger areas, feel almost like a sunburn and can be terribly painful if allowed to progress. \u00a0In contrast, general sit bone soreness typically results from a poor bike fit, spending a lot of time in the saddle over really rough terrain or just sitting too long, all of which can result in tissue compression and breakdown.<\/p>\n
As for figuring out who is vulnerable and who isn't keep in mind that saddle sores are non-discriminatory. \u00a0They strike young and old, male or female, amateur or professional without provocation or distinction. \u00a0That TUE for Cortisone that Lance had back in '99? \u00a0Supposedly for a saddle sore. \u00a0Remember Tom Boonen's little “saddle issue” last year that forced him to retire from the Vuelta and miss Worlds<\/a>? \u00a0Well, that was allegedly a hole in the back of his scrotum as a result of a bad saddle sore.<\/p>\n With that pleasant visual out of the way, here are a couple ways to help make sure you don't lose saddle time to a nasty boil.<\/p>\n According to Ben Franklin, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” \u00a0While this may not necessarily bode well for the doctor's bottom line, it does for yours, and for your mileage account as well. \u00a0After all, nobody wants to be off the bike for two weeks, only to return and have to answer questions about “why weren't you at the last group ride…” \u00a0How awkward is that<\/em> to explain to your riding buddies, unless of course, you take get smug satisfaction in watching their disgusted faces while you graphically discuss your tender bits' ailments. \u00a0If that's the case, then by all means, go for it.\u00a0 But if answering questions about what's going down below doesn't appeal to you, try to prevent saddle sores with these tips:<\/p>\n This will be beneficial in preventing pretty much all kinds of saddle sores (as well as many other ailments like back and neck pain.)\u00a0 For example, if your saddle is positioned too high, your hips will rock with each pedal stroke and rub your sensitive undercarriage across the saddle with each pedal revolution. Pressure points will also develop on the sit bones where they rock on the saddle, leading to further soreness.\u00a0 A bike fit can remedy those positional issues before they develop into a nasty saddle sore and keep you off the bike for a while.<\/p>\n Standing up and lifting your butt off the saddle not only relieves the pressure in your tissues and lets them “spring” back a bit, but it restores circulation that can be cut off by long periods in the saddle. \u00a0Small hills, the back of the paceline, rolling away from a stop sign and the like are good places to stand up for a few moments and not only stretch your legs but give your rear end a slight reprieve.\u00a0 You should make it a point to get out of the saddle every 10 to 15 minutes on any given ride.<\/p>\n This applies more for those of you who are stuck on the indoor trainer during the winter months. \u00a0The indoor trainer is very static and most folks tend to plop down and stay there. \u00a0Moving around allows pressure to be relieved from tissues and restores circulation, and it also prevents constant pressure buildup and the creation of “hot spots” on your butt. \u00a0You can also consider investing in a [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT8VPG” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]set of rollers[\/easyazon_link] or a trainer like the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00FMRYMGO” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Kurt Kinetic Rock ‘N Roll[\/easyazon_link] that forces you to move and maintain your balance.<\/p>\n If you're riding outdoors, you should be moving around on the saddle plenty often. \u00a0Bumps, corners, rough roads and simply sliding around on the saddle to find a little more power or comfort is the norm.\u00a0 You shouldn't need to move around on the saddle more to distribute the load.<\/p>\n If the shorts you're wearing don't feature a one piece chamois, it's time to re-think your shorts.\u00a0 Modern clothing manufacturers use a variety of advanced fabrics, and the best bibs or shorts come with a single piece chamois.\u00a0 These single piece units reduce stitching (which can rub and chafe) and tend to conform to the body better (creating less pressure points.)\u00a0 When shopping for new shorts or bibs, look for a one piece chamois with flat lock seams and the fewer the better. \u00a0Size is also important to consider: \u00a0thicker isn't often better and don't be afraid of trying a bunch of different shorts or bibs in the quest for the perfect chamois.<\/p>\n Saddle fit is a very independent, personal thing. \u00a0Saddles that are too wide can chafe the insides of your thighs. \u00a0Saddles that are too narrow will eventually be termed “the grundlemuncher” in honor of what they do to your\u00a0perineum over the course of longer rides. \u00a0It's worth noting that women generally use a wider saddle (because of a wider pelvis and wider spaces sit bones) than men, but a qualified fit specialist can certainly help you find out which width you should look for. \u00a0Finally, expect that finding a comfortable saddle could be a long process: rarely is the first one tested the best one for you.<\/p>\n A good quality chamois cream can prevent rubbing and chafing and some of them even have\u00a0additives\u00a0like witch hazel and tea tree oil that have antibiotic properties and can help prevent nasty bacteria from setting up shop in your pores. \u00a0It also provides a slick surface that can prevent chafing and rubbing, reducing the potential spots where nasty little bacteria can make their home.\u00a0 It shouldn't take much to protect against chafing either: a quarter sized dollop of chamois cream is all you need to prevent friction.\u00a0 My personal favorite chamois creams are [easyazon_link identifier=”B001C69L6K” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Chamois Buttr Euro Style[\/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B001C6DIF0″ locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]DZNutz Chamois Cream[\/easyazon_link]<\/p>\n After a ride, not only is sitting around in a clammy chamois disconcerting (it can be described as similar to wearing a wet diaper) it can also lead to saddle sores. \u00a0Strip off those nasty shorts and clean up your crotch with baby wipes or something similar. \u00a0When you get home, immediately wash up with antibacterial soap to keep the offending germs on their toes. \u00a0Wash your shorts soon as well, and ALWAYS wear fresh shorts on your next ride (if you make a habit of wearing dirty shorts, don't be surprised if you're suddenly left to ride all by your lonesome; nobody wants to ride with\/behind that stank.)\u00a0 Unwashed shorts are a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty things that you really don't want floating around on your skin.<\/p>\n I can't tell you how many rides I've been on where people's shorts are sagging, where they are bunched up in places and even where they talk about “their junk bouncing around all over the place.” \u00a0I don't care if you've lost 50 pounds in the last 3 months and your $300 Assos bibs are now a size too big.\u00a0 Congratulations, that's a huge accomplishment and you deserve a new pair of shorts that actually fit.\u00a0 I can't belabor this point any more: all of the advice I've given you above can be rendered completely useless if your shorts just don't fit. \u00a0Really, there's NOTHING worse in the cycling world than ill fitting shorts.\u00a0 They're a one way ticket to chafing, infection and hole-in-your-scrotumville<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, even with the best of intentions and the most diligent precautions, you get off the saddle one day with a sore crotch and a nice infected pustule on some part of your undercarriage. \u00a0How do you get rid of it fast? \u00a0Well, by and large, the best treatment for a saddle sore is to remove the offending activity and stay off the saddle.\u00a0 If staying off the saddle isn't an option, and\/or you want to really speed up the healing process, you'll want to use things like over the counter acne gels, tea tree oil and astringents to dry it up and send the bugs packing.<\/p>\n<\/a>How to Prevent\u00a0Saddle Sores<\/h2>\nGet A\u00a0Proper Fit<\/h3>\n
Get Out Of The Saddle More Frequently<\/h3>\n
Move\u00a0Around On The Saddle<\/h3>\n
Find A Better Chamois<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Find\u00a0A Saddle That Fits<\/h3>\nConsider Using Chamois Cream<\/h3>\n
Get Out Of Your Used Shorts Quickly<\/h3>\n
Wear Proper Fitting Shorts<\/h3>\n
How to Treat\u00a0Saddle Sores<\/h2>\n