"(Pete Cresswell)" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> RE/
> > Are you washing your shorts after every ride? If not,
> > that may be the culprit.
>
> I've got to wonder if "washing" is a good enough spec.
>
> My experience with dress shirts and armpit odor is that
> clothing can become infected with microorganisms over time
> that persist even through some types
of
> commonly-practices "washing".
>
> You've got to "wash" the clothing in such a way that it
> kills the little
buggers
> and simultaneously eliminate said flora from the skin.
>
> One or the other can mitigate things but for a real fix,
> they have to be concurrent.
My understanding of the problem is that body oils bond very
well to synthetics and provide a good medium for bacteria,
which causes the well-known "polyester stink". You can solve
the problem either with antibacterial agents or by
eliminating the oils. Prompt washing limits the set time,
and some washing agents like laundry borax are good at
removing the oils. Some synthetics, like some of the Malden
Mills fleeces, actually incorporate antibacterial agents
(like silver compounds) in the fiber. I've found those
treatments to be very effective.
Skin breaks down quickly if kept damp, especially if exposed
to friction. This is a different problem from stink.
Petroleum jelly and/or lanolin provide a pretty durable
barrier to moisture, and if applied generously, eliminate
most friction. Long distance riders often use such
compounds, including esoteric ones like "bag balm", a
substance originally developed to prevent chapping of cows
udders. The products sold to prevent diaper rash smell
better, are easier to buy, and are probably just as
effective. Powders are generally cornstarch based (rather
than talc) these days, and don't hold up against heavy
sweat, they'll just make a pudding in your shorts.
Pads in shorts vary a lot in style and material. Some are
"synthetic chamois", these are thin, like a sueded leather;
others are thicker, and contain more of a foam type
material. I much prefer the former to the latter for long
rides. The foam type tends to be bulky and bunch up, and the
surface is frequently textured, which I find to make them
more abrasive. The thin pads seem to conform better and
don't move relative to the skin, which is the key to
preventing friction. I tried a product called "Body Glide"
(I think), it was kind of a waxy substance in an applicator
that looked like a smaller version of a deodorant stick (or
a big Chapstick). It seemed to have the effect of gluing the
(thin, smooth) pad to the skin -- not a bad thing, I think,
but I didn't try it on very long (double+) rides as I was
afraid to stray from the tried & true. I've had very good
luck with diaper rash ointments (A&D-type, Vaseline &
lanolin) applied generously at the start & perhaps re-
applied as needed on very long & multi-day rides even in
very hot or very wet weather.
