I was getting saddle sores off and on. Always in the same area, right where my body contacted the edge of the seat cut out. The sores required hospital lancing. For me, turned out it was a combo of saddle slightly too high with a leg length discrepancy. So I had excess hip movement and was dropping my right hip causing me to not sit square on the saddle. It was a very noticeable feeling of sitting off the right side of the saddle. To fix it I lowered my saddle and shimmed the right cleat and no more hospital visits.
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So, i developed a saddle sore like a month ago…
I’ve been able to deal with it so far… But it was getting progressively worse every ride…
Then my wife suggested the miracle cure of most stuff is hispanic culture…
vicks vaporub!
I don’t know how it works… But it does… In just 3 days it went from a painful cyst like thing, to a dry mostly gone small bump… It’s incredible!
Highly recommended I’d you get one and want to take care of it… At least on my n=1 test
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My guess is they menthol has something to do with it, but if it works, no need to understand why!! 
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@stvnvnlnckr Sounds like you found a master. Where is he located?
I had a problem for no apparent reason a few months back after years of using the same saddle. After a bit of research I found a recommendation for Hibiscrub antibacterial wash which I used when I showered immediately after my rides. Did the trick for me, came back once but no problems subsequently.
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My problem is slightly different. I’m currently about 2 weeks into a cross-country bike trip on the Trans America Route. I’ve trained both indoors and out without any saddle issues.
The bike is a Calfee Dragonfly Pro, the Saddle is a Fizik Arione R1 Open, I use Castelli Bibs and DZ Nuts Chamois Cream. I’ve had no problems until this ride. I’m bruising on my contact points with the saddle, and developing abrasions in the same area in spite of large amounts of chamois cream.
The riding has involved a lot of chipseal. Me I’m 66 YO, 5’9", about 72 kilos. I’m looking for a way to not make this cause an end to the trip.
I think once the abrasions start, its hard to get them to heal unless you take pressure of the area completely, so if you can, have a couple of rest days?
Random ideas:
- Use two pairs of shorts on top of each other (more padding)
- do not use padded shorts for a bit (less contact area)
- Change to a radically different saddle/riding position (eg a tri saddle and TT position)
- are you with someone, and can you swap bikes for a few days?
Hope you find something that works, what an amazing trip!
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Vicks vaparub…
Don’t questions this.
Don’t look for logic…
Just do it…
You are welcome
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I once had abrasions like this on a 10 day trip. Got bad around 4 days in. I actually bought some Compeed (which I thought was probably a terrible idea but was desperate). Ended up surviving without resorting to trying it, but was rather sore!
Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. A combination of Vicks Vaporub an old pair of Voler team bibs seem to have done the trick. I’m 500 miles down the road with no problems.
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Vicks is magical isn’t?
I know you said not to question it, but why? And is this for spots and sores or also abrasions…?
In my case it was abrasions
Interesting! I mean, I’ve heard of breathing through one’s arse, but I wouldn’t have thought of using Vicks…
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Did you use it like chamois cream, or overnight for healing?
I apply it directly to the skin, and chamois cream to the shorts. I also get out of the shorts right after a ride and either shower or wipe down with a water/rubbing alcohol mixture.
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what about diet? could have an influence on the skin
a few months back, I would use it as an after shower thing…
I would apply over the every time after a shower… (probably 2x a day)
I let me sore grow too much before doing the vicks tho. So it took some time to properly heal… I would say a solid month…
Since this thread popped up again, here is an article I think everyone should read, written by Orla. The V Word – why we need to talk about saddle discomfort – Rouleur
How do you wash your bibs? Do you wash them inside out?
Do you air dry them inside out?
Have you tried a soap without fragrance or dyes in them?
Maybe running an extra rinse cycle?
These are the first 5 bibs you bought when you started? How long have you had them?
I know the first bibs I bought have been ground into the ground after about a year and a half.
The 2 budget bibs I started with, I don’t even want to ride unless I have no choice because the pads are super thin.
I had to warranty 2 other higher-end bibs because the glued seams separated. I liked the bibs but I think it was a flaw of the design.
Besides Assos Bibs, I’d give the Velocio Concept and/or Deluxe bibs a shot. The Concept bibs have the floating pad design and and the Deluxe bibs have a really good pad. These are my go-tos on long rides.
FWIW - I’m a heavier rider. I find that I tend to get sores based on abrasions. Most of the time I’m fine, but every once in a while I get a sore that just takes a week or two to completely heal, but it isn’t bad enough to put me off the bike.