Long distance riding secrets...

aivilo37

New member
Disclaimer: didn't read every page. It seems we are discussing two different but equally irritating problems here. To clarify: 1. The OP asked about butt burn. Kind of like your rear end going to sleep, or numbness from sitting in one position too long. 2. The other problem is caused by sweating /chafing. Sheepskin, beads, bicycle shorts etc, and powders, all help with the second problem. But do nothing for the first problem, the exception being maybe the padded biker shorts. For the first problem, as has been pointed out, seat choice, leg position, handlebar position, back support and just "getting used to it", are really the only choices. Two different problems, two different solutions, but often discussed as one. (don't know why I felt the need to point this out .....)
 
Have someone you love beat your azz with a leather strap until it toughens up like leather (just kidding). My old stock seat is still comfortable just like it is. I tried a friends sheep skin cover going to Sturgis last year and I couldn't go more than a 100 miles before I had to take it off and then I was fine. You would think it would be the opposite. Maybe I'll try the leather strap
 
I often ride 700+ days and have found a few tips that help.
1. Find a good seat... My current bike has the hammock seat and with several 500 mile days I can say it works great (seat needs to be wide enough & relatively flat)
2. Stop every hour and "walk." This is a no brainer because you should need to take a leak every hour anyhow if properly hydrated.
3. Underarmor is a great idea but it tends to make you slide within your pants, so I've gone to tossing a "goats" hide on the seat, sheep will hold the moisture.

Things I've learned to avoid:
1. Riding until the tank is dry
2. AirHawks are great but it will widen the seat front, a good goat skin works best.
3. When you stop, any stop, don't stand around, WALK!!!
4. Don't stop without tanking up on fluids. If you don't need to wiz every hour you need more fluids. Yes it is inconvenient, but it beats falling off your bike.
 
I also didn't read every response so if this has been mentioned before,sorry.Get yourself an air circulator seat pad from Harley.I bought one the first of July and left the next day on a trip from Ala. to N.M. thru Colorado and back.Covered 3900mi. in nine days doing 500mi or more most days and over 600mi two different days.Never had butt burn the whole trip.Before this trip I couldn't ride over an hour at a time without getting the burn.
 
Get a seat that works best for you but a little burn is going to happen. I just switched to the Hammock and like it. An old long distance guy i know always said to "hang a cheek off one side for a bit and then the other and change your foot position" and most important start all that BEFORE it starts to hurt......
 
UnderArmour bike shorts (compression shorts) under your jeans http://www.rei.com/product/732624. The powder options won't last all day. The higher quality bike shorts wick the sweat away which makes all the difference for long distance riding.
 
Try a pair of really good cycling shorts under your jeans...with the padding built in.....works for me...anything helps.....going to try a swatch of sheep skin next year...does this wool come in black....???

I have only seen white...

Ride safe ...fully aware.
 
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