Long distance butt sauce?

[vikb]

I've got my medium-core bikepacking system and practices down pretty well. 75miles/day and less day after day on GDR-esque roads are no problem.

I'd like to try upping my mileage to 100 - 150+miles/day. I don't use padded bike shorts and don't want to start. I've got a pretty good relationship with my Selle Anatomica saddle so I plan to keep rocking the synthetic boxer briefs I've been wearing to date. I hate the feel of a padded bike short and these boxers wash and dry super fast. After 75miles my butt feels fine. No pressure points or pain, but I do get a bit of super mild chaffing in the perineum area. It's minor enough that after an 8hr sleep it feels normal again and I can repeat day after day for weeks almost never thinking about my saddle as I ride.

Looking to increase my mileage considerably I suspect longer days with less time off the bike will kick that irritation up enough notches that I won't recover without doing anything.

I think what I need to do is start using some butt cream(s) when I get off the bike at the end of the day to clean and sooth my skin so it can recover from each long day while I spend 6-8hrs off the bike at night. Maybe also something to apply in the AM.

Anyways I figured I would see what other folks were using in that department.

What's your secret butt sauce?  

This is pretty much only for GDR/TD style trips. As my techy bikepacking trips involve so much HAB and out of the saddle riding that my butt never becomes an issue for as long as I can realistically keep moving each day.

[honkonbobo]

no padded shorts?  you are a better man than i.

of all the chamois creams i have tried i like UA Smooth Ride best on the bike for anything over an hour.  i apply to the skin as opposed to applying to the shorts before putting on but some like it on the shorts. 

any chaffing i can feel off the bike after the ride gets Gold Bond after cleaning up.   burns a bit at first but thats how you know its working.
 

[vikb]

no padded shorts?  you are a better man than i.

gets Gold Bond after cleaning up.   burns a bit at first but thats how you know its working.
 

Gold Bond = This stuff?:



I used to be in butt agony after a couple hours no matter what padded shorts I wore. Tried dozens of saddles with no change. Then one day I found a couple saddles that worked for me and I ditched the padded shorts. I actually found them less comfortable than just boxer briefs. Plus on tour I find it so much easier to wash the boxer briefs it's hard to want to go back to padded shorts.

[bmike-vt]

Lantiseptic. Medical grade skin protectant.
Comes in small pouches or larger tubes / tubs.
Randonneur approved.

[Adam Alphabet]

Vik,
I too have been running Selle Anatomica's for years. Some wear in differently than others as I'm sure you've come to find. The first one I had, never any issues. The second one the centre gap would come together creating a ridge that would irritate and pinch in the perineal area at times. I took an exacto and shaved down the leather as the saddle wore, this helped reduce any ridges that came as a result of the two leather sides coming together. Which also greatly reduced discomfort.

I use padded shorts and don't use chamois cream. I still have to stand on the pedals or climb standing periodically to take the pressure off the ass. It helps in reducing seat pain though.

[vikb]

Vik,
I too have been running Selle Anatomica's for years. Some wear in differently than others as I'm sure you've come to find. The first one I had, never any issues. The second one the centre gap would come together creating a ridge that would irritate and pinch in the perineal area at times. I took an exacto and shaved down the leather as the saddle wore, this helped reduce any ridges that came as a result of the two leather sides coming together. Which also greatly reduced discomfort.

I use padded shorts and don't use chamois cream. I still have to stand on the pedals or climb standing periodically to take the pressure off the ass. It helps in reducing seat pain though.

I haven't had any issues with the centre gap, but I have taken a dremel tool to the outside edge of the leather and chamfered it so I didn't get irritated.

I'm also on some older SA roadie saddles. Next time I buy one I'll get one of the newer more beefy versions.

[vikb]

I'll get some Gold Bond and Lantiseptic and do some trials.

Seems like there is a shitload of different versions of Lanitiseptic products. What do you use Mike?

I have a post poo morning soap and bike bottle bidet cleaning process that should let me start the day "fresh". Sorry if that's too much info!

Do you guys do any cleaning process before bed or is the Gold Bond/Lantiseptic got that covered as well as soothing the mild chaffing?

I realize these are some detailed butt related questions, but I figured a forum that has TD racers on it would know there stuff in this dept. I want to be able to ride for 3 weeks all day without butt troubles.

[bmike-vt]

I use the original skin protectant.
When things have gone south and I'm off the bike I use Burts Bees diaper cream. (I have 2 kids...)

Put the lantiseptic on with a glove... It's tenacious stuff.

I usually pack a packet in my kit for anything longer than a day ride. Or, if you get a tub you can make single serving packs out of ziplock bags. Fold inside out to apply (use the bag as a glove). Then fold it back together to seal it in until you can dispose of it.

[offroute]

Vik, FWIW...

I think you are on the right track keeping clean and dry. I bring Chamois Butt'r in the small packet(s), and generally use a small amount only if it looks like a heavy seat day. For hotspots, I use fragrance-free hand sanitizer after bathing, before retiring, making sure everything is nice and dry. I use a variety of padded and unpadded shorts, liners, pants, etc.

Addy, thanks for your comment on the pinching factor of your SA saddle. I had not read of that phenomenon and was wondering if I was alone in suspecting it to occur.

[honkonbobo]

I'll get some Gold Bond and Lantiseptic and do some trials.

Do you guys do any cleaning process before bed or is the Gold Bond/Lantiseptic got that covered as well as soothing the mild chaffing?

i am not a doctor, just saying what works for me... i put the gold bond on only if feeling really chaffed (which isn't too often) and after cleaning up either by shower or if no shower available with hand sanitizer wipes.  also - i don't remember who said this but one tour divide racer offered the tip of sleeping naked for best drying/recovery of nether regions.  i concur and wear loose baggy light shorts once i change for that reason (but again only if really chaffed).

I have a post poo morning soap and bike bottle bidet cleaning process that should let me start the day "fresh"

i officially am never taking a bottle you are holding out in a race feed zone. haha

[vikb]

i officially am never taking a bottle you are holding out in a race feed zone. haha

If you are at an event that has a feed zone you can be almost certain I won't be in attendance.