I thought I could sit on my charge spoon all day but had some tenderness of undercarriage after 12 hour last week and noticed it again on Monday’s commute (same saddle, heavy pack that day). Pack was fairly light on the long ride, but shorts were Aldi padded lycra with baggies over the top. I’m guessing it’s the shorts that need to be upgraded. Any recommendations and tips appreciated. Ta.

What kind of pain?

broken/irritated skin? or tenderness of tender bits in the middle?

skin – Tried chamois cream?
bits – cut out saddle?

both – decent shorts will probably help.

And less in the pack? bikepacking type bags for the long off roads, and something like a seatpost mounted bag for the commute? eg carradice SQR slim

shorts were Aldi padded lycra with baggies over the top

Wearing poor quality lycra shorts with a pair of baggy shorts ober the top is going to be chafftastic at the best of times, never mind on a 12 hours ride.

If you’re going to be in the saddle for the long get some decent shorts.

just fitted a charge scoop today…..seems a fair bit softer than a spoon….hope it is more comfy.

What Gary said though don’t be fooled into thinking that decent = expensive. My most comfortable shorts are the cheapest ones I have at only £35 (Northwave FWIW).

And ideally dump the baggies – it’s just more seams to potentially rub if you’re doing long rides.

Good shorts, cream, gradually easing up the time on the bike and the correctly shaped saddle set up correctly should solve most issues.

I’d take a hard but well shaped saddle over a cushy so-so saddle any day. Slight changes in angle can make a world of difference to comfort too. Likewise I’d rather well fitting but perhaps thinly padded shorts over poorly fitting but thickly padded shorts. Also going from 3 hours on the bike to 12 hours without building up more gradually will be a shock for the body and some pain is inevitable

A little bit of checking… my baggies I love – Dare2B shorts not specifically for cycling but they are really comfortable ,never snag anywhere as they’re not baggy and they actually don’t have a seam at the gusset at all.

Closer checking of myself (and I don’t why I didn’t do this after Saturday) reveals something like a spot/blister. Where you wouldn’t want one. Not sure if it’s caused by nipping/abrasion while cycling.

I think I need to buy some decent new shorts anyway. I’ve just been looking at bib shorts with gel inserts. Might look like I’ve pooed myself.

That’s a boil or infected pore – you need to be really careful with those as they can cause all sorts of problems if they get worse…

Wash yourself well(!) and make sure you never wear shorts twice. If you’re doing really long rides, it can be worth using some antiseptic cream to help prevent this.

Those flushable wipes are worth it to keep by the loo if you’ve got arse issues.

That’s a boil or infected pore – you need to be really careful with those as they can cause all sorts of problems if they get worse…

Indeed, my other half ended up having to have surgery to remove one that came on after an extended turbo session. Keep an eye on it OP and get it looked at if it doesn’t go quickly.

As others have said, no baggies. Price isn’t that much of a factor, but make sure the shorts fit well and are reasonably tight (not voice-changingly tight!) Also, the Spoon saddle may not be an issue either. I have them on both road and mtb, and have been comfortable on all distances.

Seat angle is important, as is perfect height. If you have it slightly too high and your hips rock a little, then this will make chaffing more likely.

Sounds like you may have a saddle sore, either way, treat it with cream and try and let it heal as much as possible before riding again.

“Where you wouldn’t want one.” Could be a number of places! I’ve had some soreness between the cheeks before – backpack long ride – sweaty back, sweaty crack. Cool down on a descent or a break and it can get sticky and chaffey.

Wipes by the loo. Dab of chammy cream on some loo paper swiped between the cheeks. Big help, not had the same problem since I started doing that. Do the same skitouring now.

Another reason for finding alternatives to a backpack too.

I bought some chammy cream and will get new shorts this weekend. Fit will surely be by luck as I imagine shops won’t let me try them on. It’s a fine morning and goes against my grain but I’m missing 50 miles of commute today to rest the sore area though I can now feel it as I walk. It’s become more sore if anything. Using wipes and applying savlon antiseptic cream for two days might have made it mote tender. Pharmacist said she had a cream (magnesium?) that could draw it out. Good idea? I’d like to be off the bike for the shortest time possible.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with a Charge Spoon. I use one for all my multi-day bikepacking. However, I find that they need replacing more frequently than my Specialized Toupes as the padding seems to “pack down” over a year or so of riding. Still makes them pretty good value though. Maybe time look at how long you’ve had yours and consider replacement?

You’ve got a saddle sore. Google and you’ll find plenty of remedies. I’ve had one so bad I ended up at my GP. I couldn’t sit down. Antibiotics sorted it out. (It is a staph aureus infection of the follicle if I remember correctly). I’ve heard of people having surgery on them occasionally.

recommended a few things – Spot cream – it is apparently the same thing as teenage spots so can be treated in the same way. You can also try plucking out the hair if there is one or just squeezing it (at your own risk).

They are typically caused by friction damaging the skin and being sweaty. I’ve found a few preventative measures –
good hygiene. Don’t stay in shorts any longer than you need. Wash them straight away after every ride. Wash yourself or use baby wipes as soon as you’ve finished a ride.
Comfy saddle, more padding is actually worse for me, fit is everything.
Good shorts – don’t need to be assos, castelli etc. I’ve got dhb aeron pro and aeron race and they’ve been good for 10 hour rides.
Liberal use of chamois cream, on you and on the pad in the shorts.

Santini bib shorts and Specialised saddles ftw.

Need your arse measured for the saddle though…

Ref the saddle sore, the great untalked about thing. The elephant in the room of cycling. I had two appear after not a particularly long ride but where the saddle had been a bit far forward and had rubbed. I could see the hair in each one so a quick pluck with the tweezers and let the goo out before sudocreme-ing and all settled down within a couple of days.
If you’re saying it’s on the place ‘you wouldn’t want one’ it could be a few places down there! I can’t imagine anywhere I’d want one!
Don’t take it lightly as if you don’t get it cleared up quickly it WILL mess up long term.

I squeezed a saddle sore once, hurt like hell but was pretty spectacular.

That was the nail in the coffin for the Brooks, and the day I bought a charge spoon. Never had a problem on a mountain bike, but I’ve never ridden 12 hours on one.

Did 11hrs in the saddle last Saturday in the rain & murk, one thing i learnt (especially the getting in the saddle the next day) is that chamois cream needs applying EVERYWHERE i.e. in the crack of your ‘arris as well as the pressure points etc, especially if you are riding in the rain when dirty water is getting into that place.