Body Care for Long Distance Cycling- 6 Tips - Video

With symptoms ranging from minor issues like numb feet, long term risks like sunburn, and major problems like saddle sores and infections, body care strategies can make or break a long endurance ride. These considerations can be easily forgotten or ignored due to fatigue or as greater attention is given to fueling, hydration, pacing, and being social.

Before cycling, my background was in thru-hiking the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, each taking 6 months. The importance of sustainable body care is imprinted deeply into my values. I've seen adventures end due to foot problems, infected chaffing wounds (groin, hospitalization, MRSA), and witnessed/experienced plenty of misery from sunburn and hygiene related gastro problems.

Similar problems plague randonneurs and other endurance cyclists regularly. I hope these 6 common-sense tips can help you stay vigilant about body care and perform your best on epic rides.

Research Articles:
Swelling in ultracycling- https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-021-00470-0

Saddle Sores Meta-analysis- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9265698/

0:00 Intro
0:23 Sunblock
1:03 Chamois Cream
1:44 Wash Up
2:30 SPF Lip Balm
2:54 Loosen Shoes
3:20 Hygiene
4:21 Outro