Laura, Laura, gold ...
 

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[Closed] Laura, Laura, gold medal scorer, how does your (lady) garden grow?

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 IHN
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A lot, probably...

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/15/team-gb-cycling-saddle-sore-medals


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:34 am
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Vaginal gains?

Why yes, I do believe that IS my jacket....


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:38 am
 DezB
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Blimey.. is nothing (ahem) private anymore?

Some really surprising stuff in that article though - the UCI have a ruling on how tilted your saddle can be?! And they didn't give the GB team clothes in their own size?! Incredible.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:41 am
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secret squirrel club

Fnarr fnarr.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:42 am
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Some really surprising stuff in that article though - the UCI have a ruling on how tilted your saddle can be?!

Been around for ages that. There's some really odd rules about fit in the UCI rule book.

And the didn't give the GB clothes in their own size?! Incredible.

I read that as referring to the pad that they fit into the suits.

Interesting stuff about the use of a paraffin based cream instead of traditional chamois cream.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:45 am
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one design was supposed to fit all, despite a wide variation in not just thigh circumference but also undercarriage arrangements.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:45 am
 DezB
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Exactly, Junk-yard ! 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:51 am
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the UCI have a ruling on how tilted your saddle can be?!

It's the UCI, tbh I'm surprised they don't already have rules specifying the exact length and style of pubic hair. One day, once they've sorted out all this important stuff, they're going to look into that doping thing they've heard about.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:52 am
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what were you googling to find that? because i hope it was on safe search.

I did notice that many of them have gone for plaited pigtails - which can translate well to beard topiary too

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:52 am
 IHN
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what were you googling to find that?

It came up on my Google Now news feed, so Google googled it itself. Of course, that news feed is based on my own Googling 😉


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:54 am
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one design was supposed to fit all, despite a wide variation in not just thigh circumference but also undercarriage arrangements.

Just refers to "the kit the girls were given". Could be anything! Pad would make sense given the area they are talking about and what they were complaining about. And they refer to "one design" rather than one size. Probably not worth arguing about though 😉


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:55 am
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An increasing number of female riders, professional and amateur, were resorting to surgery to correct vulval disfigurement.

Not very body positive for the Guardian.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:05 am
 DezB
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[i]“Some of the girls were complaining that their shorts were rucking up"[/i]
Would mean to me that the shorts weren't the right fit. Although, not sure who these "girls" are. I thought the Olympic team was men and [b]women[/b] , mmkay?


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:05 am
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At one point we were saying: ‘Should we be buying the girls beard-trimmers?’”

crikey - that state sponsored doping isnt just for teh russians then!.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:06 am
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“Some of the girls were complaining that their shorts were rucking up"
Would mean to me that the shorts weren't the right fit.

It was that comment that made me think it was a poorly fitted pad 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:11 am
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Mr Blobby - those creams are widely used in healthcare 'cos they have real evidence that they work. Chamois cream on the other hand often contains stuff known in healthcare to be harmful


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:11 am
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tjagain, interesting stuff. Any links for more detail?


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:14 am
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I did notice that many of them have gone for plaited pigtails

Yes. Clearly some marginal gains to be had there.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:17 am
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I'm just amazed as it was the Grauniad, that they didn't use the C word!


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:19 am
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Rockape63 - Member

I'm just amazed as it was the Grauniad, that they didn't use the C word!

Corbyn? I think even the Guardian would struggle to pin this one on him


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:20 am
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Mr Blobby. Not easy.Its all stuff that was accepted as evidence based many years ago. I'd have to search thru the reearch

Best is no creams. If you need creams to treat chaffing then simple creams are best. If you need them to prevent chaffing then look to your saddle and shorts.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:25 am
 DezB
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[i]Chamois cream on the other hand often contains stuff known in healthcare to be harmful[/i]

All of them? There are so many different brands out there now. Even Assos has changed formula from a few years ago.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:27 am
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Hence the "often" not "all". I have seen people on here recommending steroid and antibiotics in creams as best for everyday use which are proven to be harmfull.

I'll look up assos .


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:36 am
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Can't find an ingredients list for assos but stuff like eucalyptus and menthol is common is it not - both things I would NEVER put on my skin.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:40 am
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I have seen people on here recommending steroid and antibiotics in creams as best for everyday use which are proven to be harmfull.

😯


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:42 am
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I'm just amazed as it was the Grauniad, that they didn't use the C word!
yep, its like they have a quota they have to get through every day now. Its getting comic


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:45 am
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steroids thin the skin. Antibiotics upset the natural balance of your skin and give rise to antibiotic resistant bugs.

I would use either the creams referred to by british cycling or some simple nappy rash cream. creams used in healthcare are tested as healthcare products. Chamois creams are not subject to such rigour.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:47 am
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TBH I'm pretty amazed at the sheer popularity of it these days. Once I'd got past actual leather chamois and moved to decent synthetics I've never used it. Not many that I raced with used it either. Now it seems to be the default answer to many things.

Rather than getting a saddle/shorts/fit that you get on with without chafing.

Only time I've seen it in use widely is during long stage racesin hot climates.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:47 am
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Rather than getting a saddle/shorts/fit that you get on with without chafing.

Only really use cream here for long rides on warm sunny days when it gets hot and sweaty down there, find it helps keep sores at bay. Could be an anti-bacterial thing, or read somewhere that it helps neutralise acidic sweat. Dunno. Does seem to work though. For the rest of the year, a decent pad that fits.

Which seems to be backed up by ghostly's ninja edit...

Only time I've seen it in use widely is during long stage racesin hot climates.

Interesting to see it make a big comeback though with improved pads. I wonder if we'll see embrocation cream making a comeback too 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 11:55 am
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My answer to sweaty days is abandon the lycra. Cotton pants. baggy shorts. No sweat build up.

I do have an arse like rhino hide tho


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:01 pm
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I have heard people claiming that creams that make you "tingle" are good. See that tingling - thats skin damage happening.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:02 pm
 IHN
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Rather than getting a saddle/shorts/fit that you get on with without chafing

Thing is, getting a comfortable saddle/shorts combo is a bit of a lottery, and with saddles being £20-£30 minimum and decent shorts £50 minimum, it's an expensive one if you have to try a few combinations before you get it right.

Personally, I've never managed to get it right and have settled on having a saddle that's 'alright', decent quality shorts and using chamois cream to make up the difference in terms of comfort.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:07 pm
 JAG
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A very interesting article - I'll be looking for that Shower gel stuff they mentioned.

I've got decent shorts, with a modern synthetic pad, but I'm still trying to find a saddle that gives NO sores. I can get it down to very few sores upto like 80 km per day.

Once you're doing more than 80 km per day sores are more difficult to prevent. I have switched Shower gel and shower routine and I bought some Sudocreme - which works to both prevent and/or treat sores.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:10 pm
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My answer to sweaty days is abandon the lycra. Cotton pants. baggy shorts. No sweat build up.

Not a good look on the road bike 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:10 pm
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Wouldn't fancy that for 200km round central France in the summer.....

Cam almost feel the blood leaking out where the seams have rubbed.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:17 pm
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Mr Blobby - do I care?
Ghostly - funny - I sit on my sit bones and nothing I own has seams there. Never had rub from seams. I only started using lycra at all a few years ago but have been riding (takes shoes off to count) 40+ years now


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:21 pm
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ee that tingling - thats skin damage happening.

Nice though innit.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:22 pm
 IHN
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[I][b]tjagain[/b] - [u]Member[/u][/i]

Haaaaaaaaaang on a minute.........


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:25 pm
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Lael Wilcox who just won the Trans American Bike race 4000m in 18 days (after riding from alaska to portland for the start and then to NY to visit friends after she won) doesn't use padded cycle shorts - just normal shorts - and a cotton t-shirt

But then again as she holds the womens records for TABR and the Tour Divide (which she did twice last summer) i think she is probably slightly harder than any of us !


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:31 pm
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I sit on my sit bones and nothing I own has seams there

That's all fine and dandy if you're happy in that position and/or are suitably flexible. Might not be the case though if you're after a more efficient aero position and/or lack flexibility.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:32 pm
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[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:36 pm
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Ghostly - funny - I sit on my sit bones and nothing I own has seams there.

If your actually putting pressure on your sit bones you must be very upright on your bike? My sit bones barely contact my saddle when I'm on the hoods.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:47 pm
 DrP
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tjagain - Member

Haaaaaaaaaang on a minute.........

I just figured that too......

DrP


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 12:53 pm
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I'm with you on the baggy shorts thing, but the last thing I'd be wearing on a hot muggy day is cotton pants - that's pretty much guaranteeing dampness and chafing.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:01 pm
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And I've just ordered some of that Doublebase gel. I'm now trying a Brooks saddle, which actually seems quite good. I fear my issues may stem from being overweight though, which is difficult, I need to ride to lose weight, but can't ride too far cos I'm too heavy!


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:16 pm
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If your actually putting pressure on your sit bones you must be very upright on your bike? My sit bones barely contact my saddle when I'm on the hoods.
depends on saddle though. Some brands, like ISM put you wholly on your sit bones to avoid pressure on the soft bits. They are also favoured by the TT squad and I've seen a few on the track coverage from Rio


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:19 pm
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depends on saddle though. Some brands, like ISM put you wholly on your sit bones to avoid pressure on the soft bits. They are also favoured by the TT squad and I've seen a few on the track coverage from Rio

Yeah you may be right and apologies due from me - I've just spent the last ten minutes rocking back and forward on the saddle (in work!) trying to work out where the pressure comes through. Not a huge amount through the sit bones, but they still contact (mainly when I'm on the top of the bars.)


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:41 pm
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depends on saddle though. Some brands, like ISM put you wholly on your sit bones to avoid pressure on the soft bits. They are also favoured by the TT squad and I've seen a few on the track coverage from Rio

You're not on your sit bones, unless you're very flexible or sat upright. The prongs just suspend you each side of your tenderest bits.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:46 pm
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Yeah, I sit on my sit bones.
You must ride bow legged, very upright or not very far/fast/sustained. Or all of the above.

Also I'm guessing miniscule thighs.

😉


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:49 pm
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I ride upright. Think more eurotourer than TT racer. I like my comfort.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:51 pm
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[img] [/img]

Tjagain earlier.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 1:54 pm
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mrblobby - perhaps have a wee look at this, should explain it for you 🙂

[url= http://www.ismseat.com/technology ]how ISM saddles work[/url]


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:02 pm
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Yes, seen that. There's how you're meant to sit on it and how most people actually sit on it 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:05 pm
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indeed 🙂 I swopped to ISM's on all bikes 2 yrs ago before surgery 'down there'. First few rides (which were before surgery) I had very sore sit bones - took probably 15 hrs in the saddle to get used to the different way of being suspended ! The setup instructions work if followed to the letter, but yes, if it is set up like a normal saddle it won't work.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:07 pm
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Would this be the appropriate thread to pose the question "Anna Mears - bush cyclist"?


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:18 pm
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I thought ALL saddles intended you to sit on the sit bones? I certainly do on all my bikes even the one with the lowest position ( equivalent to a not very radical road bike on the hoods)

Ghostly - a bit like that but with more hair and tweed. 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:18 pm
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Saddles do intend for you to sit on the sit bones.

The only problem is many people don't.

Lack of flexibility, bending at the hips instead of the back, saddle pointing up and so on. Then you get the drive for aero. Which makes everything worse, especially when the UCI interfere.

I did notice that all the athletes sponsored by ISM seem to be triathletes and a fairly low budget US road team. Who, by definition, take any sponsorship they can get. Believe me, I've been there!


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:34 pm
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I did notice that all the athletes sponsored by ISM seem to be triathletes and a fairly low budget US road team.

Small company though, probably don't have the budget to sponsor a big team. Saddles are a bit marmite too.

Saddles do intend for you to sit on the sit bones.

You are increasingly seeing saddles that are trying to accommodate people who don't.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:39 pm
 DezB
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[i]Saddles do intend for you to sit on the sit bones.[/i]

So you're saying these GB Team women have hair over their sit-bones..?


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:53 pm
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If they have then they are definitely on PEDS and they are having terrible side effects


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 2:59 pm
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[quote="DezB"]So you're saying these GB Team women have hair over their sit-bones..?only if you don't read so well.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 3:14 pm
 DezB
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..or they're not flexible like proper cyclists..?


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 3:16 pm
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You don't read well then.

Aero, UCI.


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 3:19 pm
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UCI ? - Un Coiffured Intimates ? 🙂 IGMC...


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 3:21 pm
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I can't believe that nobody has yet posted the ubiquitous "This thread is useless without pictures" comment!


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 5:55 pm
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Just wondering if this story is another Brailsford wheeze to wind up opponents, like his "rounder wheels" comment at the last Olympics 🙂


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 7:07 pm
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Haha - you boys don't know the half of it 😆


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 7:45 pm
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Back to the OP...surely this thread needs pics!


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 8:37 pm
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Haaaaaaaaaang on a minute.........
impersonator IMO


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:51 pm
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Waitrose baby butter - works a treat. Don't waste it on babies though


 
Posted : 16/08/2016 10:59 pm
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[quote="wallop"]Haha - you boys don't know the half of it 😀Probably about half 🙂 I've spent enough time around female cyclists to have to deal with some of the fall out. 😳 and 😯

And I've been living with one for the last two decades.


 
Posted : 17/08/2016 7:05 am

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