Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Health & Fitness => Topic started by: CountrySickness on 01 December, 2012, 06:08:07 pm
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Ooh it's sensitive :'( and may not get a sensible answer, but here goes:
On a v cold 200k ride yesterday I, er, suffered quite considerable numbness in my most sensitive of parts and he was rubbed really quite sore by the time I reached the shower (I was wearing my good shorts and roubaix tights). It’s hardly my first long, cold bike ride but this is a health problem I don’t want to go through again, there must a cyclists folk cure? Liberal application of goosefat or vaseline? Hand warmers taped to the inside of my shorts? I do have some windproof tights but I just don’t get on with them.
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A classic speedskaters' solution is pinning some windproof stuff between your shorts and the tights to prevent the whole thing from frezing. A more modern solution is using rainlegs against the cold.
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Less sensible answer: Alternative uses for a Buff #3. It does work, but best not lend your Buff to anyone you don't know really well afterwards.
More or less sensible answer: More layers? I know the problem - what fits snugly when you're getting dressed in the warmth of your bedroom, becomes somewhat more spacious once things have... erm... retracted.
TBH - the Buff solution works!
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V small sealskinz sock? ;D
In fact, in this weather, v. v. v. small.
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Actually, if you get to Chode Mode - then things are actually better as there's less chance of chafeage. The problem is the middle ground. As it were.
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I have had this problem but it only really affects the very tip.
My solution is to wrap a thermal band around my left leg just above the knee.
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Make sure your cosy base layer is long enough to pull down over your athletic bits. :thumbsup:
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Wait, shrinkage *and* rubbage? I'm fairly sure that's not how they're supposed to work...
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http://www.shopinprivate.com/tuggie-cock-sock.html
hth
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That, I believe, is Hummers' club kit.
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You have obviously seen Hummer's club?
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You have obviously seen Hummer's club?
Hasn't everyone?
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An empty winebox bladder could give effective windproofing to sensitive areas...
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Plus act as a handy container.
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http://www.shopinprivate.com/tuggie-cock-sock.html
hth
Click to enlarge
:o
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I don't dare!
Cold is bad, numbness and rubbing are bad, but man, nothing is worse than post-cold-ride foreskin pins and needles. You need to hop about, but that just makes it worse...
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My solution is to use my "winter" longs which are windproof on the front, a pair of un-padded 3/4s underneath those and then a pair of padded shorts as the base layer.
I haven't suffered too badly with this combination.
The 3/4 are good for warmth in the "crucial" area as well as helping to keep my thighs warm.
They'd also probably suit Hot Flatus given his particular "issue".
I don't have that problem, I just wrap it around my waist and all is good.
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Carrier bag (Large, Med or Small ) tucked between shorts and leggings is cheaper than a pair of rainlegs .
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I didn't realise Spirit of Flatus had such short legs.
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I remember Andy's bon mot about it being so cold that his 'outie became an 'innie. At this time of year, chafing isn't so much a problem as finding it...
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I have had this problem but it only really affects the very tip.
My solution is to wrap a thermal band around my left leg just above the knee.
Do you wrap yours twice round your middle too, then?
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Twice round one's neck as a scarf works well
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I remember Andy's bon mot about it being so cold that his 'outie became an 'innie. At this time of year, chafing isn't so much a problem as finding it...
I'm now remembering the pain (after eventually finding it) of peeing.
Warm liquid and cold "tissue".
Not good.
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There are possibly several issues here.
The numbness of which you speak may be caused by pressure on the perineum, and is fairly well-known. Saddles with a gap in the middle are supposed to help, as is tilting the saddle forward slightly.
In regards to general chill, then simply layer up.
In regards to chaffing, that's simply a mechanical issue, and I find it's worse when wet.
If I ride a shorter distance wearing underpants, if they get wet, I will chafe.
I'd not wear underwear on a longer ride. (!)
So avoid your little cotton panties.
Apply lots of cream, esp. if it's wet or cold.
I just use the left-over sudocream from when our kids were babies!
It also seems to me that the chafing is related to the hairyness, and that hair acts as a grinding agent.
I've considered ( but not yet tried ) a bit of judicious shaving in the affected areas.
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Never suffered from Frosty Todger myself.
I just wear longs with padded shorts underneath.
I never knew it was a problem.
???
How about using Ralgex? :demon:
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I have had this problem but it only really affects the very tip.
My solution is to wrap a thermal band around my left leg just above the knee.
Do you wrap yours twice round your middle too, then?
Only run it down to knee in cold weather (shrinkage)
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I tuck mine in my left sock.
Seriously, though, how about shoving a gel hand warmer down your shorts? I suppose it wouldn't last long, but...
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Only had frozen todger once. About 10 years ago on a very cold very exposed road. I bought a pair of windproof fronted undershorts (still made by Gore Bike wear) but have not used them. If you buy any, beware that they are very tight and a little unyielding so you might want a larger size.
These days I find thermal bib tights over shorts works fine, although on very cold days (perhaps when it has been -5 for a while so everything is damned cold) I use a pair of windproof fronted bib tights.
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Well that's a greater number of sensible suggestions than I was expecting :thumbsup:
On my ride yesterday I tried my windproof tights over padded 3/4 fine for a flat 40 miles but it all felt too rigid for the 8-9 hours in the saddle that a winter 200 needs. I think I'll butcher something made of roubaix fabric and stick it to the front base of an old base layer to be worn under tight shorts (and avoiding seams :o), I'll also do my next 200k on a day that's warm enough to keep my water bottles full of liquid rather than slush (or add brandy to my water bottles).
I may also take a set of Hummers' club kit in my Carradice for emergencies ;D
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Reading this with amusement - I've suddenly remembered that I have in the past resorted to using a sock. It was during a week when nearly every ride was in temperatures below -10C
As long as you tuck everything carefully in the sock it seems to stay in place.
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but it all felt too rigid for the 8-9 hours
Viagra is not the best (sporting) performance enhancing drug there is you know?
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I tuck mine in my left sock.
Seriously, though, how about shoving a gel hand warmer down your shorts? I suppose it wouldn't last long, but...
...the plastic envelope and filling would keep the wind off your little friend anyway.
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On a tandem would be best, if the stoker could be encouraged into reach round cupping.
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Suspect swapping places on a tandem would afford a gentleman rider a suitable windshield for delicate areas anyway...
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On a tandem would be best, if the stoker could be encouraged into reach round cupping.
On our tandem it's a struggle to persuade the stoker to take her gloves off for long enough to distribute rations, never mind 'cupping'.
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There are possibly several issues here.
The numbness of which you speak may be caused by pressure on the perineum, and is fairly well-known. Saddles with a gap in the middle are supposed to help, as is tilting the saddle forward slightly.
In regards to general chill, then simply layer up.
In regards to chaffing, that's simply a mechanical issue, and I find it's worse when wet.
If I ride a shorter distance wearing underpants, if they get wet, I will chafe.
I'd not wear underwear on a longer ride. (!)
So avoid your little cotton panties.
Apply lots of cream, esp. if it's wet or cold.
I just use the left-over sudocream from when our kids were babies!
It also seems to me that the chafing is related to the hairyness, and that hair acts as a grinding agent.
I've considered ( but not yet tried ) a bit of judicious shaving in the affected areas.
Is that Sudocream not a bit out of date? Your oldest is 14 now!
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Reading this with amusement - I've suddenly remembered that I have in the past resorted to using a sock. It was during a week when nearly every ride was in temperatures below -10C
As long as you tuck everything carefully in the sock it seems to stay in place.
Is it possible to buy spare socks for Action Man?
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Liberally apply deep heat to your tackle before the ride. You will then be praying for numbness.
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Never had rubbage, but numbness is common, especially with certain saddles which cut off the blood flow. Standing up to pedal occasionally during a ride will let the blood back in; this can give a curious warm pulsating feeling as if you're wetting yourself.
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Never had rubbage,
ahh. "Roger no mates."
but numbness is common, especially with certain saddles which cut off the blood flow. Standing up to pedal occasionally during a ride will let the blood back in; this can give a curious warm pulsating feeling as if you're wetting yourself.
I thought that - then I realised that I was wetting myself.
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So Sudocrem can also help fight nappy rash then
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When it gets seriously cold I don my Helly Hansen "sport wind briefs" (to stop wind coming in, not wind going out)
http://www.buachaille.com/p1057-1-52/Underwear/Helly-Hansen-Sport-Wind-Brief.html
It appears they have been discontinued, but I'm sure there are similar products.