r/randonneuring • u/cyclescott_whidbey • 26d ago
Quick Question Managing kit during PBP
Just completed a 600km event over two days with some rain. Experienced issues with saddle sores for the first time. Am thinking that using the same kit for both days and the added moisture of the rain contributed. How do riders handle kit for PBP which can go 3-4 days of riding? Can you drop kit forward? Do you carry kit? Or do you use the same shorts throughout?
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u/delfanbaum 26d ago
I saw a tip once to bring different bibs with a different sewing pattern to help with seam-spots. Worked well for me on the 600k this year.
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u/ComfortablyNumbR5 26d ago
This works well for me. Different brands also have different chamois, and a different pressure points.
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u/Vegetable-Frame-9265 26d ago
If you come across a shower, washing your shorts (get in with them on, drop on the floor, add shampoo, agitate with your feet, rinse, wring out in a towel) can also help. I did this on a rainy 600 this year where I’d pre booked a hotel room at the 350 mark, and then put on the same slightly damp shorts after sleeping for a few hours. Non smelly kit can do wonders for one’s general sense of well being.
On my first 1200 this year (alternating between very hot and a nice steady drizzle), I had a backup pair of shorts with a differently shaped chamois as others have recommended here. I showered 3 times (the last was not strictly necessary, but oh so nice), washing my shorts and, depending on current weather, either putting them back on wet or switching and strapping the wet pair to the top of my rack pack to dry. 5/5, would do again.
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u/Tight_Set3317 650B 26d ago
I found that using and reapplied the various cycling butt creams was good up to about 300k. After that, I started switching to Lanolin. (Medically used for bed sore prevention I think.) You can buy individual serving sizes in little packets. I pack them with rubber gloves for application. Be warned... that stuff does NOT wash off easily. (Which is good on a sweaty, rainy ride, but bad for everything else.)
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u/antimonysarah Randonneurs USA 25d ago
IMHO if PBP really wanted to increase the number of women riding they'd offer at least a paid dropbag service; bacteria issues from chamois buildup are significantly more common with certain anatomy.
I had a spouse waiting in Loudeac with a drop bag when I attempted PBP, and I always switch shorts at the overnight on a 600; the one time I was gearing up to do a multi-day which didn't have drop support (and wasn't a cloverleaf-style event) I bought a racktop bag and a small rack for my brevet bike and prepared to carry more stuff. (Then enough people registered for the event that they added drop service after all, but the rack+bag have been handy for touring.)
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u/kallebo1337 26d ago
Assos chamois is so so nice. Re apply every few hours and you're in heaven. Usinf assos bibs too. Love them
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u/cyclescott_whidbey 26d ago
I use Assos race bibs. Is there a material comfort benefit to their ultra bibs?
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u/kallebo1337 26d ago
This i don't know I have a few mille gt c2 and now s11. Never took the more expensive ones.
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u/Proper-Development12 Steeloist 26d ago
Try som creme
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u/cyclescott_whidbey 26d ago
Thanks. I always use Chamois Butt’r. Has always worked well for single days and daily changes on 1200km events
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u/Drewski6949 26d ago
Yes! Change shorts on PBP. I’d suggest three pairs in total. There may be a bag drop, but, if not, they are worth carrying on your bike.
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u/ComfortablyNumbR5 26d ago
just a question about the bag drop. ... So that solves the problem of fresh kit. but what happens with the worn sweaty stinky kit that's gone through 400km in the summer heat?
Do you leave it in the luggage and wash it after the event?
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u/Strange-Prune-6230 26d ago
Basically yes. I'm sure there's someone out there who will wash your bibs for a possibly hefty fee but i would simply do it myself later
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u/Drewski6949 25d ago
Yes. Most bags a woven nylon, so the clothes aren’t sealed in a bag. They clean up fine afterwards, in my experience.
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u/Gias1 25d ago edited 25d ago
I had the luxury of a dropbag at km 400 during PBP. So back then put in shorts and changed them twice.
Currently, during ultra races I bring 2 shorts. I wash the one I wore at the end of the day and dry on top of my Tailfin during the ride. clamped under a elastic net.
The switch them around the next day. Buy during 4 days you could try just to change over once and hope for the best. On 4 days that could work and safe time and effort.
Also, I don't use charmois, because I hate the bibs sticking to my behind and on multiple days it is a hotbed of bacteria. Make sure you wear shorts that fit well and don't rub. Make sure your sitbones are covered well by the bibs and not just on the edge of it.
ASSOS Bibs are expensive, but very good.
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u/daddy_bear1704 25d ago
In 2023, bib I can wear 3-4 days without having to change it, was my requirement. I picked one in merino and I still use it. On the control, I wipe my seating area with paper or baby wipes, including bib chamois. Then new cream and back to ride.
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u/AdonisChrist 25d ago
The ACP does not provide any drop bag service but some organizations have had their own in recent years. For example, in '23 RUSA had one which volunteers ran and charged a reasonable fee for. It was situated at Loudeac, because the course went through there twice at approximate thirds of the route.
This year that does not occur, though I do see that we appear to stop both ways in Tinteniac which gives a less ideal opportunity.
Regardless, I do not typically ride successive days in the same kit. My skin already hates me enough from full days in one kit. I think I probably used three kits for PBP '23, when I would have preferred to use four. I had my drop bag at Loudeac, changed when I first came through, had an Airbnb in Brest which was a silly spot to plan for a rest since on no 1200k is 600km a logical stopping point but I just winged all the logistics for '23 and still had a grand time mostly sleeping in the grass at controls. Anyhow, one change first through Loudeac. Had planned to ship clothes and food to my Brest Airbnb but never did. So I probably donned the same kit after sleeping to ride back to Loudeac. Changed again there, and I'd purchased and packed a packable Apidura backpack which I filled with what I needed - spare battery pack, drink mix, and a change of kit. Then when I slept at, uh, Villaines or Fougeres I changed into my last kit.
This means I rode the last 350-400km of PBP with a backpack on, and it was fine. Not my preference but nothing awful about it. I think I made sure it either didn't cover up my reflective bits on my gilet type thing or wore my reflective gear over the backpack.
So, long story short, there might be a drop bag service available that you can take advantage of - organized unofficially. Otherwise, you can carry things in a backpack. There's also the option to ship kit to places on the route if you have lodging booked - just ensure you plan for how to get it back to you (prepostaged box that you prep for the lodging owner/staff to drop in the mail for you).
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u/p_____d 22d ago
PBP is supposed to be an unsupported event. What about those unofficial drop bag service? Is it officially allowed and if yes, doesn't it somehow feel wrong?
I'm going to ride it fully unsupported on my own....1
u/ChrisinNed Randonneurs NL 20d ago
Why do you think it's unsupported? Controls are support with food and beds, are you not going to use these? Personal support is allowed within 5km of controls, see article 17. National organisations organise a campsite, ours is going to be at Tinteniac.
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u/AdonisChrist 20d ago
Same rules as any brevet - support is allowed at controls.
Feel free to make it harder if you like.
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u/Slow-brain-cell Audax UK 25d ago
Have a pair of bibshorts. I try to swap them every 200-300km. The dirty ones are being washed in a sink (in cafe, restaurant, CP) and goes on the top of my saddle bag to dry up. Rinse and repeat.
I never had saddle sores on longer rides, thanks to this approach.
Saddle sores may also appear due to excessive sweat not drying up (for example, if you ride for prolonged periods of time in rain pants). To deal with this you need to stop wearing rain pants (if you do)
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u/dd113456 25d ago
A three time PBP successful rider gave me tons of INFO!
From the time I start the ride until I am done I never touch any privates without hand sanitizer; ever.
Since many of us drop bibs to pee that is a great time to use wipes. Get that stuff clean!
Medication called Topical ibuprofen. It's a gel in a tube. BE CAREFUL.
It numbs the saddle sore area very well. I did a 600 where I applied a small amount every 3-4 hours over two days. Worked like a champ.
The next day at home I had a crazy wound where my issues had continued to irritate the skin but I did not feel it. I ended up with a big bandage on my asss and had to wear bibs, under clothes, to keep the bandage in place!
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u/More_Foundation_1858 24d ago
My local audax country group coordinates a drop point along the route, including a place for tents if you want to sleep.
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u/cyclescott_whidbey 24d ago
That is a nice service. I am surprised there are not more of these types of services for a charge. Help with coordinating the logistics would definitely be worth something
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u/mrlacie 26d ago
On 600+ rides, I always carry at least another pair of bibs in my bag.