Hoo Haa Ride Glide and Beyond

I got to thinking a few days ago about how I have many things to thank for my continuing enjoyment and love of cycling.  Aside from the fact that riding bikes is awesome, I need to thank a few items that make riding bikes more pleaseure-able. 

A Carbon Bicycle

Riding a carbon bike is a thing of beauty, they are so snappy and ready to go, I love it!  You literally glide over the pavement.  Quite an improvement over my "trusty" aluminum Trek that I raced on for 2 years. 

Hoo Ha Ride Glide

Hands down this stuff is amazing and has saved my hoo ha area for the season.  If I had not placed 5th at IVRR I would not know about this A-mazing chamois cream for females.  TMI warning: I am SO prone to saddle sores that I just know how to deal with them these days and what to do when they get out of control.  Every race season I end up with multiple saddle sores.  Since I won this in my prize bag at the end of March I have used it on nearly every ride and race and have yet to encounter a saddle sore.  I swear by my Hoo Ha Ride Glide. 

Baby Powder

You know when you get off the saddle at the end of the race and you forgot to use your Hoo Ha Ride Glide?  We all know the feeling of a sore chaffed sit bone area.  Baby powder does wonders to help relieve any after riding soreness because of your forgetful self.  Baby Powder is for AFTER NOT DURING. 

Tea Tree Oil

This is for when you don't use Ride Glide or any thing like it and you end up with a large saddle sore right on your sit bones!  One day last summer when I was at the Public Market across the street from work I opened up a natural remedies book and discovered the real name for a saddle sore (furuncle, they are basically boils or cystic acne).  I read a natural remedy for saddle sores are Tea Tree Oil.  So I bought a tiny jar of this stuff and it does work wonders.  Here is what you will need:

Warm/hot water

Tea Tree Oil

Wash cloth

Combine a couple of drops of oil into the hot water, dab a corner of the wash cloth into the mixture and apply the wash cloth to the saddle sore, holding it there with pressure for 10 minutes.  You're saddle sore will absoultly decrease in size by the next day.  Of course you need to continue with this treatment until the saddle sore is entirely gone.  I find using the Tea Tree Oil AND Baby Powder works wonders.  Now I do recommend using the Tea Tree Oil in the privacy of your own home and bedroom, where no one can look at you funny when your hand is um..you know. 

Smart Wool Socks

If you don't own a pair, go buy 5.  Disclaimer: When you become addicted do not call me telling me it's my fault you are broke because you spend $15 for 1 pair of socks (fyi..smart wool isn't cheap). 

Yes, this is a pile of MOST of my Smartwool socks

Iron

I already told you about this stuff.  Wikipedia just informed me that iron deficiency anemia can cause folliculitis (similar to furuncle, as previously mentioned), I wonder if that's true?  Maybe that's why I am prone to saddle sores?

Cliff shots & shot blocks

Cycling Northwest is sponsored by Cliff so I have a ton of Cliff products.  I really love their products.  They have a new formula for their gooy oozy shots and I like it so much better.  It is a thinner consitency so it's easy to swallow and take in.  Cliff shots get me through my races when my energy is declining.  I have also discovered a new Luna Bar flavor that is delicious.  I love taking the shot blocks and Luna Bars on training rides with me in place of taking a shot of ooy goodness since it's easier to chew when you aren't having to pay attention to the next move by your competitors.  Thank you Cliff for making such great products. 

Nuun

Cucina Fresca AND Cycling Northwest are sponsored by Nuun, and what a great company they are.  When I look around at the other teams jerseys and their sponsors I see a Nuun logo on nearly every team out there.  It is SO great that Nuun is getting their product out there and supporting the sport of cycling.  I place one Nuun tablet in one water bottle and then have one water bottle that is just plain water.

Helmet

Safety first folks!  I love pink, so naturaly I would want a pink helmet, so Chris bought me one 2 Christmas's ago.  A Giro Atmos.  I love that helmet, it's light, airy, and pink, but it unfortunately dents my head...big time.  Cycling Northwest is also sponsored by Uvex, so I tried one of their helmets.  It's mainly white, with hints of red, and circled with green.  To be honest when I first put the helmet on I felt like a dork, who am I kidding...I LOOKED like a dork!  I wasn't sure I wanted to keep the helmet, so I test rode with it on (with the tags too) and decided "wow this helmet is comfortable".  I speak no lies, the helmet is comfortable and it doesn't dent my head.



I cannot thank these products enough for making my cycling THAT much more comfortable!!!!  Now, if you don't ride bikes I highly suggest you go to your local bike shop and pick up a bike and start riding.