Crotch related questions: Dealing with winter.

Hi, I've got a few crotch-related, yet serious, questions for you tough bikers out there. They are pretty old hat, but I didn't see any answers in the forum, and wanted to ask real people about these, very. real. problems. Everyone talks about winter layers, well, I find there are some situations where too many layers are painful.

I was wondering, how do you deal with layering up for winter without overheating and, um, chaffing, sensitive areas of the body? What's your base layer, over layer etc for not just riding, but a life where most if not all your transportation is by bike. Like, I don't really wanna hear "all I wear is three hundred dollar winter kits" or something, what do you do, SERIOUSLY, in terms of underwear etc for life on a bike in winter?

That being asked, I was out riding today and I had a horrible, pulsating pain in my right, um, "friend." Any tips on keeping the boys safe and sound, despite the build up of layers down there?

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Permalink Reply by David Barish on January 14, 2013 at 5:08am

Wearing real bike shorts as your base is always best for that kind o' thing. If you are spending a great portion of the day off the bike its best to have a change of clothes so you are  not wearing those shorts all day. If you are riding shorter distances and want to wear jeans or other civilian garb a silk or performance fabric is much better than cotton. Dan's suggestion is a good one. Frankly, I find these issues are more of a problem in the Summer when its hot, we sweat and...well you get the picture.

Permalink Reply by Charlie Short 2.9 on January 14, 2013 at 5:25am

I have had some unfortunate experience in this area. I was off the bike off and on for a year because of it. First, the position and movement of of your shorts/jeans/tights is super key. I found that if I used cheap tights or shorts (and sometimes jeans), the crotch would move with my legs and repeatedly strike senstive areas, over and over. This also seemed to happen when I over-layered. Buy fancy tights with good stretch and sectioned chamois help with this problem.

Another thing that happens (that ultimately turned out to be my problem) when we ride is a tightening of muscles, and sometimes a severe over-tightening (seriously, medical folks, correct my terminology.) In men, the pectineus muscle runs from the upper inner thigh to the perineum. This goes right under the inguinal canal, which in men, leads to your testicles. As the pectineus tightens (and functionally shortens) over time, it can push up against the canal, leading to a feeling of pressure and sometimes, sharp pain. So as you ride in the winter, when you pedal, one side or both can feel as though someone is stepping on your parts as you ride. Stretch this area after every ride and the pain will lessen (it helps in the summer, too. You can get a massage or acupuncture to relieve both the pressure and tightness.

The last and maybe worst cause of this sort of pain (in men) can be acute prostatitis, which is something you should go to the doctor to check out. For this and all of the above problems, a hot bath is also really helpful.

If you have any other questions, please email me, as this kind of pain is avoidable, but sometimes embarrassing. I'm not shy about it, but I know it's hard to ask about this kind of stuff. 

Permalink Reply by your duncle on January 14, 2013 at 7:51am

Regardless of season, you should take care of your skin, it is your largest organ.  People pay big money to take care of their face, but why not the other end?  Before you pay for crazy gear, tryEnzo's.  Proper cycling shorts are sure to help the problem, but the comfort of any chamois is doubled with the use of great products like Assos, DZnuts, Enzos etc...

If you're inclined to powder puffs, people often recommend Gold Bond.  

In addition to checking your saddle, check and see if you are sitting on a seam in your pants or something.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on January 16, 2013 at 5:17am

Get some thermal bike tights. I wear them under jeans in the winter and rarely have problems.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on January 18, 2013 at 12:16pm

I have so far gotten by with two layers, a set of Performance cycling shorts, and (the key, I think) a nice set of Novara Headwind pants my wife found for me at REI.  They have a second poly layer in front as well as a light lining.  They are a little big baggier than regular cycling tights, but not so baggy that you need to tie them down to keep them out of your chain.  Before those, I was using a regular set of unlined cycling tights.  By the time I got to work on cold mornings my thighs were pretty wind-chafed.  Not anymore...

Permalink Reply by Chris Drazba on January 18, 2013 at 12:54pm
Check out Fourth Element. Its scuba drysuit undergarments but I wear them doing construction all winter long. If you get the arctic layer it will keep you warm in the coldest weather. Its all water proof and extremely warm!http://www.fourthelement.com/dry_arctic_undersuit.php
Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on January 18, 2013 at 2:24pm

PADDED fleece-lined tights(I think bibs "ride up" less).  Silk longjohns under those at about 25 and below.  Wind pants over those if the breeze is stiff, or it gets much under 15.  Polar (heavier wieght) sillk in the single digits.  Add silk layer(s) below zero.  I also air out the tights/johns thoroughly once I get to work (turn 'em inside-out, and hang 'em in a locker/on a coat rack), so they're nice and dry for the ride home.  Also, if it's been a sweaty day, you can "touch up" with a baby wipe, and dry off with a paper towel, before you suit up.  Baby powder can help, too.  Basically, get on the bike clean and dry, and be sure your base layer will wick away from you, and won't bunch up.   

  

Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on January 18, 2013 at 2:27pm

OR get a recumbent :)

Permalink Reply by Christopher on January 19, 2013 at 3:51am

I have found the forward seam of the pants can trap a ball in the most extreme crush it, or in less extreme rub the orb the wrong way. In the winter I wear pants two sizes bigger than summer clothes. I put layers under my winter clothing that make the clothes tighter and easier to trap or irritate Da Boys. In the summer it looks like I lost 20 pounds. I am warm, happy, and comfortable. 

I did get a strange look from an ex one cold winter day when they saw me in my larger pants, It was a look of horror that I had gotten so large. I smiled and knew I had lost pounds under all my fluffy warm stuff. Still I took the look seriously and I also have thin summer weight dress pants either in my bag or under it all when I go to a business meeting. I just take off the super size and put it all in my bag. 

If I am wearing a suit the jacket hides a lot of extra padding. 

With regular outer coats I have a XL, when it is colder I have a 2XL that goes over that, and a 4XL over all that in the below 10 degree days. It is a lot easier to bend your elbows and knees when you have looser clothing, Stuffing summer clothing with winter gear can make it hard to move and crush the "little ones" in a bad way.  

Permalink Reply by Christopher on January 19, 2013 at 3:52am

Only One???? get a fleet of recumbents! There are sooo many flavors of them to choose from. I love my long touring one currently as my daily ride.

Rich Evans said:

OR get a recumbent :)

Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on January 19, 2013 at 6:40am

Well said, Christopher.  Hope to be joining you once I get confident in traffic on my uss/swb. 
 
Christopher said:

Only One???? get a fleet of recumbents! There are sooo many flavors of them to choose from. I love my long touring one currently as my daily ride.

Rich Evans said:

OR get a recumbent :)

Permalink Reply by Joseph Beemster on January 20, 2013 at 2:02am

Just like in the summer, the Chamois Butt Creams work for me. Following a long ride and after a shower I use Johnson & Johnson CORTAID, a Hydrocortisone anti itch cream. It works for me.  Safe Riding 

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