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  Ever since I returned to cycling in 1990, I've always had what you'd call an "Iron Bottom". I could sit on any saddle, all day, and never have even a hint of a problem.|   |  |   |  
 But now I have a classic case of Saddle Sores.
 
 It started a couple rides ago, when I would get a little discomfort in my perineum, (the skin between the base of the thighs)  near the end of my rides. But I just thought it was my old frozen  Selle Italia Flite saddle. It's pretty old and hard as a rock, and it's even harder when it's below freezing.
 
 I knew nothing about saddle sores. But, with the help of the interweb, I am now slightly educated.
 The best information I found was by an MD at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota.
 
 I learned there are 4 types of saddle sores:
 1... Ischial tuberosity pain: Pain in "sit bones".
 2... Chafing.
 3... Folliculitis and Furuncles: Infection of a hair follicle. And A boil.
 4... Skin ulceration: A lesion.
 
 And there are 4 causes:
 1... Pressure.
 2... Shear. (Friction along with stretching of the skin)
 3... Moisture.
 4... Temperature.
 
 Here is a link to the very informative, and excellent paper.
 www.liquicell.com/assets/pdf/Saddle%20Sores%20(P.%20Kortebein).pdf
 
 "Bicycling Life" also had a good article called, "Ouch, My butt hurts!"
 www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/Sore.htm
 
 My sore looks like a open cut in the skin, about 1.5 inches long.
 I've been treating it, And I've noticed some improvement. But I'm not sure if I'll be ready to ride this weekend.
 
 I did order one of those saddles with the cut-out slot down the middle. I found one on sale, for a low price ($26), just in case I don't like it. And, like a true weight weenie, I even found one that is light too!
 If it arrives before the weekend, I may have to try it it out.
 
 I hope you never get saddle sores! Ride On!
 
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