Ladies -- possibly a TMI biking question...

[gizmonic]

...if there is such a thing :shrug:

Deep13 (husband) & I have decided to get off our doughy butts and get some exercise. So we bought a couple of bikes. So far, so good. We have all the right gear: helmets, water bottles, gloves, mirrors, tire-pump, etc. Haven't been on a bike since I was a teenager -- I forgot how much fun is was to ride! *wheee!*

Ok, so here's the tmi question: what would you recommend to minimize/reduce the discomfort/chafing I get on my *ahem* :blush: lady's panty parts :blush: when riding? The discomfort is not caused by an ill-fitting bike seat or anything like that, just from riding and pumping my legs.

Are bike shorts available for plus-sized gals like me? Would this eliminate the problem?

thanks! :) :blush:

[happyslug]

1. This problems happens to males, also, but we complain less

I should NOT say males complain less, we actually complain more, but we tend NOT to look for solutions.

As to solutions, the best is a new seat. Terry was the first to come out with seats to minimize this problem (For BOTH Sexes). Terry's split seats are still one of the best solutions, but i have found a better solution, an older solution a Leather Seat. A leather seat once "broken in" will do as BETTER than a Terry Sear (I have used Both). Leather seats are NOT cheap the big name in Leather Seat is Brooks out of England. You can Order Terry and Brook Seats out of Nashbar or Performance.

One last Comment, avoid the gels and other soft seat "Solutions", while they may look and feel comfortable you rear end is also soft and gel like. Combining the two "Gels" INCREASES the Chaffing. Thus you are better off with a Rigid Seat and thus I recommend the Brooks.

http://www.nashbar.com/

The Brooks Seat Page for Nashbar:
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?brand=5127&init=y

At present I am used the Brooks Sprung Saddle which is on sale for $79.99

For PErformance
http://www.performancebike.com/

Performance Woman Saddle Page:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=5211

Nashbar and Performance use to be two different Companies but a few years ago they merged but kept the retail catalogs separate, thus if one has it so does the other.

[wtmusic]

2. Another male answer to a "Ladies" question, but here goes:

If you like your seat, try good ol' baby powder. Your skin will toughen as you ride more, too.

Bike shorts come in pretty much any size, you might have to hunt around a little.

[Samurai_Writer]

3. Plus size bike shorts

I found some on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Danskin-Supplex-Lycra-Short-Womens/dp/B0000BKEGS/ref=sr_1_1/102-4699710-5983339?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1178900257&sr=1-1

[Shine]

4. First of all, it's absolutely imperative that you get decent riding shorts

ones that have a good chamois in them, to give you extra padding. Yes, you can get them in larger sizes.

Then, I'd recommend using Chamois Butter. We also affectionately call it "Butt Butter". :D

It's the right stuff to use to lube up that whole area and make chafing a thing of the past.

Been there, done that. Learned the hard way. Use Chamois Butter. You won't be disappointed.

http://circlecitybicycles.com/cbutter.htm

Gawd, do I sound like a commercial, or what? LOL. :D

Happy trails! Good for you for gettin' back in the saddle again. Have fun! :hi:

on edit: oh yeah, also make sure you've got a decent seat on your bike. You might want to consider dropping some extra money and getting one of those specialized ones, split ones for women's anatomy. I use Serfa brand, but my training partner swears by the Terry Butterfly brand. To each their own. Good luck!

[prolesunited]

5. Good biking shorts

You can get the mountain bike kind that have the chamois under looser shorts if spandex is too frightening a concept. Or, you can wear short skirts over the spandex.

And FYI, don't wear underwear under the shorts. The other cyclists will point and laugh. (Not really, but it will increase your chafing.) You need to wash the shorts after each use. Don't use fabric softener because it blocks the air exchange capabilities and avoid the dryer to make them last longer.

Terry has a nice selection, but it's kind of pricey
http://www.terrybicycles.com/

Nashbar has good sales
http://www.nashbar.com/

Just get out there and have fun!

[Kolesar]

6. A saddle with springs is more effective than a shock-absorbing seatpost

A Brooks leather saddle with springs might be a good choice. The leather forms to "your" shape as you ride it. I have never bought a leather saddle myself. Last time I shopped, I bought a saddle with elastomer-foam in lieu of metal springs and it works great. Nashbar does not sell that model any more. The closest I could find was on Ebay, a different product by a different maker: http://cgi.ebay.com/Cloud-9-Ladies-Bicycle-Saddle-with-Elastomer-spring_W0QQitemZ130049391422QQihZ003QQcategoryZ22693QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

You should try several and pay attention to its width and whether it fits. That makes a compelling case to go to the local bike shop.

[Fovea]

7. All of the above plus

Chammy Butter.

[peacebird]

8. all of the above - plus the tenderness will ease with time in the saddle

I only ride Brooks leather saddles btw - have them on all my bikes! They conform to your body over time and provide the most comfortable ride for me.
DEFINITELY stay away from those overplumped gel cusion seats. They may feel good at first but they will chafe you like nobodies business!!!

[Trailrider1951]

9. Plus size biking apparel can be found at Team Estrogen

www.teamestrogen.com

not cheap, but the clothing is quality.

Also, I second the recommendation for Serfas saddles. I find them more comfortable and less expensive than the Terry saddles