Ladies' saddle sore advice from British Cycling

[Martin Headon]

Interesting article about how British Cycling dealt with the problems their female cyclists were suffering from, some in silence.

Short version appears to be: Doublebase gel before rides, Dermol 500 shower gel after. No chamois cream. Don't shave or wax your nether regions. Try tipping your saddle forward a little (may only be relevant for riding in aggressive positions).

Personally speaking, I'm not a lady, but I see no reason why the advice regarding the products used might not also be relevant for men.

[Kathryn Elizabeth Innes]

Thanks for this Martin, we ladies do talk about this stuff quite a lot. Interesting the doublebase suggestion and not using chamois cream; I can understand pre-applying doublebase to sores, but it doesnt explain why no chamois.
I'm just trying the powermax saddle which is specifically designed for 'aggressive' postitions on my TT bike... will report back if it is an improvement on the Adamo (although imo anything would be).

[david emery]

Tried Assos chamois cream once when I started first cycling. Caused problems where there were non previously and was promptly ditched.

As for the TT bike, try angling the nose of the saddle down very slightly. If you're in a well balanced position, you shouldn't slip forward and might well find it more comfortable

[Simon Collins]

I recall reading somewhere about the wideness of the Adamo causing some people problems. Someone suggested cable-tying the two prongs so that it pulls them together a bit. Absolutely no idea whether that works though.

[david emery]

that was me last season. and it does, but the cable ties will snap eventually. mentioned it to Xav and he recommended steel cable ties. i've since move to a narrow saddle

[patrick hawkins]

I never use chamois cream, unless doing serious miles on consecutive days, and have never suffered from anything but the most minor of sores. Maybe I'm just lucky - we're all different.

I do however rate Savlon (or Cetavlon in you're in France) highly for treating early signs. Also antiseptic wipes if you're unable to shower post ride.

[Deleted]

I've used double base cream recently before a ride because it was recommended to me. I would say that it had the slightly less than pleasant side effect of making the area in question hot. I guess this is because even if you wait for it to soak in, it's a sort of barrier cream and so not as easy to sweat through.

[Deleted]

Aug 21, 2016 8:23:51 GMT @beccaw said:

I've used double base cream recently before a ride because it was recommended to me. I would say that it had the slightly less than pleasant side effect of making the area in question hot. I guess this is because even if you wait for it to soak in, it's a sort of barrier cream and so not as easy to sweat through.

Hmm that's less than desirable. I may give it a try though as I'm finding things more uncomfortable now I ride more on the drops.

[Deleted]

I've found for any post ride soreness, sudocrem works a treat

[Steve Pearson]

For those interested, the Guardian did a feature on this here -> tinyurl.com/z8bo6hn

It would be good to get the information directly from British Cycling, however the author of the piece does have a solid background in cycling, so probably should be a reliable source.

[Kathryn Elizabeth Innes]

That's the article that started this thread!

[Steve Pearson]

Aug 25, 2016 17:08:53 GMT Kathryn Elizabeth Innes said:

That's the article that started this thread!

Doh!
I'd read the article elsewhere, then saw Martins short version here, and completely missed the fact that he'd inserted a hyperlink...

Double DOH!

[Deleted]

From a dermatology point of view, doublebase, like several emollient products marketed for dermatitis of any cause, has a mild anti inflammatory agent.

Basically anything which doesnt cause an inflammatory response or interfere with the skins natural defence barrier should help. I think one important thing to consider is bacterial contamination of any product you use. Anyone who is prescribed doublebase for eczema etc is advised to throw away any product which is >3 months old as by then it will be full of bacteria so you are basically liberally applying infection. Hence wash you hands before applying and regularly buy new stuff.

[Sara Barman]

Kat - if you ditch Adamo, I know I and probs Heather would like a try.
I'm amassing a saddle library and yet to find one that's perfect - not addressed by article but pressure in the wrong place, not friction is my issue.

[Dalila Lecky]

Sara, I would suggest that you give saddle pressure mapping a try.