I’ve got some not so pretty news for you all.
In fact, when you really think about it, it’s quite disturbing.
Cycling shorts may be a friend to you bum, but not so much anywhere else. In fact, I’d like to say that they mutilated my legs over the past two weekends in a way that no one warned me about. I’m not talking about funny tan lines, chafing, itching or any of the regular complaints. I’m talking about something worse. Wait for it…
They can literally COOK your skin.
Excuse the horrible photo (awful angle, gross bumps and cycling shorts don’t flatter ANYONE), but it doesn’t even do the strange rash/burn that I got justice.
My past two long rides have been in the heat and when I got it the first time two weekends ago, I thought it was strange, but didn’t think much of it. However, after this weekend’s 110 miles, the rashes were bad. Real bad. They were only on the front part of both legs, areas in which the sun would easily reach for hours on end.
After the ride, I worked up the guts to ask Coach Paul what it was (while he was eating a burrito, mind you). I was afraid he was going to scream, “RABIES! RUN!!!” Instead, he laughed and told me some quite disturbing news…
The silicon lining on edge of the bike shorts, the “sticky stuff” that prevents cycling shorts from riding up, was melting in the heat and COOKING my skin! WTF?! Granted I have really sensitive skin, but I feel like if this is a known issue, they should probably warn people from cycling in these shorts, in the heat, for long periods of the time.
The red bumps eventually went away, but it’s now Tuesday and my skin is still discolored. Super sexy stuff right here.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Aloe Vera may help? It looks just slightly pink, not that bad?
They should really warn about this! That’s horrible!
What happened to me Sunday was that I was wearing running tights outside while sitting around. I held a water bottle and the sunlight was broken, burning a hole into my tights. I noticed, because suddenly that spot on my leg feltcrazy hot. Lesson learned
Happens to me every weekend here in Phoenix. Cycling and running. I tried using aqua phor on my legs this past weekend and it helped by reducing the “burn” by about 75% and it went away a lot quicker. It is not just the end of the shorts, I get it all over the top of my quads and have been told it is a heat rash and not a huge deal or anything to worry about.
I had no idea this could happen! Then again, I only run soooooo, I only know about running related skin issues. Like my sportsbra eating my ribcage.
Yikes, you poor dear.
that happens to me on all of my long rides – happens to my girlfriends too! i thought it was just a heat rash.
OMG. This is good to know, I have sensitive skin too and live in AZ so this could happen to me when I start going longer!
Ekkk, hope it clears up soon, that is scary!
I a little bit love how all the comments here are like “oh yeah, having cooked skin is totally just part of cycling.. no big deal…”..I would start slathering yourself in sunblock/aquaphor/Lola drool/whatever it takes to minimize the skin roasting. Yeepers! And congrats on all of cycling distance PR’s! Woop!
That is crazy!
Interesting- I’m glad you wrote this! I actually had a ‘rash’ on my legs after IM Canada that was right along that line. All of it went away, except one spot. I actually still have it! I’m convinced it was a burn now because I couldn’t figure out what it was, I’ve never had it before, and it was only on the tops of my legs. It was super hot during our race!
oh my goodness!! and there’s another reason why i’m just a runner and not a cyclist too! poor thing, i hope that feels better soon!
hey, they have started making super cute shorts with an extra spandex band( power gripper bands) instead of the silicone -http://sfattoclothing.com/products/hotness-bibs-pre-sale
they are super comfortable and stay in place, plus you can make the shorts shorter if you like!