Ok Bike Riders

[SlowLane]

And chamois butter works not only to reduce friction on your nethers

Bag Balm. It's da bomb.
Seriously, it's the preferred anti-chafing goop of my insane-distance randonnnering friends.

[Sylvester]

You must ride commando with bike shorts...and you must wash them after every ride.

I did not know this, and never have. Huh

[bretski]

I did not know this, and never have. Huh

Here's why: The chamois is designed to protect your bits from chafing against seams and such, as well as moisture control. If you don't go commando, you are adding another layer (usually cotton), that holds moisture, and adds additional seams.

Washing the shorts after every ride prevents bacterial build-up that can lead to "other" problems. Bottom line, commando only!

Many people prefer bib-shorts that keep the chamois snug up against you. They also make bathroom breaks more of a challenge, which is why I personally don't wear them. Chamois butter, bag balm, and the like are another layer of defense. These products are good for long rides in humid conditions.

[Reid]

Any tips on seat adjustment from veteran bikers?

[the miz]

Any tips on seat adjustment from veteran bikers?

Height wise: you should have the slightest bend in your knee when your leg is extended to the bottom of your pedal stroke. Too high and your hips will rock back and forth on the saddle...you will also over extend you knees...ow! Too low and you will not get max power and leg extension...thereby prematurely fatiguing your quads on your ride.

Level wise: ...rule of thumb is "level" or "nose down", to prevent undue pressure on your soft bits. I ride a bit "nose up"(bmx-style) as I otherwise feel like I will slide off the nose...I find that this position also helps to focus my weight onto my sit-bones, my soft bits are not affected due to the cut-out saddle that I ride. I would say to adjust your level to your own level of comfort with regard to the soft bits while finding the spot that focuses your body weight on your "sit bones" which are the 2 bony protuberances from the bottom side of your pelvis.

...hope that is helpful, could get more detailed if you require, have a good ride!

miz

[Reid]

Hey, thanks. I get the height, but I've never had anyone explain the "level" aspect. The fact that I dislike bike shops with every fiber of my being has prohibited me from asking someone in person.

[the miz]

Hey, thanks. I get the height, but I've never had anyone explain the "level" aspect. The fact that I dislike bike shops with every fiber of my being has prohibited me from asking someone in person.

No worries...you just have to find a good bike shop that has cool folks working at it who aren't so full of themselves and what awesome cyclists they are. I know those are tough to come by...we only have a few here in the land of 10,000 bike shops...if you have a shop that specializes in the commuting or touring niche, that is where I would expect to find the most helpful down-to-earth cyclists. I always tried to maintain perspective when I was in the shop scene...every one has to start somewhere, why not help them on their journey...no one is born an "expert" ;).

miz

[RussellK]

Had the ride from hell Saturday. What was supposed to be a nice little 50 mile spin down to Kimmswick and back turned into a ride that would have scared even the most stout hearted. We were harrassed by motorists at least 8 times, flipped off twice, had a U turn pulled directly in front of us and another driver while looking straight at me deliberately pull his pickup in my line. I was within a hands distance of broadsiding him. It was crazy. Modot in their infinite wisdom painted a bike lane over rumble strips making the bike lane completely unrideable. We stayed in the lane as much as possible hugging to the inside white line where the surface was better. I can understand why non riders might wonder why we weren't thoroughly in the bike lane, but to be enraged enough to lean on the horn and yell obscenities? To the pudgy bald guy that flipped me off while turning into the cemetary? No worries, I offered a short prayer for your Mom anyway. My wife twice wisely reminded me not to engage with an irrational person driving a 4500 pound killing machine especially since Missouri law allows them to carry killing machines inside their killing machines. To the good samaritan that stopped and asked if we were okay during my wife's excruciatingly painful groin spasm (she finished the ride after a lot of stretching and some Advil), thanks, your offer of help restored our hope for our fellow man. We ride road bikes all over the place and have never had a ride quite like this. The difference? I'm not sure but this was in an area that is new suburban mixed with old redneck and bubba. No sense of community, no sense of warmth. I tried talking with some people at a water stop and they looked like no stranger had ever been freindly before. God I hate the burbs. The route was excellent with a nice mix of hills and flats but my wife says she'll never ride that direction again. Me? I got a plan. I'm getting a US Flag jersey. I wanna see a redneck flip off the flag. Be careful out there. Its a jungle.

[dtrumbo]

I wanna see a redneck flip off the flag.

You might have better luck with a confederate flag. Sorry you had the experience you did.

[Sylvester]

Wow that ride sucks! I hate road riding, my last years bike miles were all on bike trails. All I had to put up with was wandering dogs and fast riders.