Any more tips on wobble, or sores would be appreciated :-)
Fearghal, it sounds as if you're closing in on the wobble with adjustments in weight distribution. Next chance you get to lay things out, I'd try to put the heavier things as far as possible *in* the panniers and toward the bottom and nearest the wheel if possible to get weight low and close to center. If you could tie the bags solidly to the rack with some webbing compression straps, I think it would help. I am often a lone voice in the wilderness on this, but I have found compressing the load and bags limpetlike to the rack helps on-tour handling with every bike I've owned. It makes for a quieter ride, a neater internal load, and longer rack life 'cos the load and bags move with the bike instead of independently.
I'll go out on a limb here and say that unlike a majority of tourers, I long ago gave up on elasticated bungee cords. They're fine at first, but over time, I found the elastic broke down and they were no longer secure, wobbling instead. I now use Arno straps -- webbing with a quick-release buckle -- and have had no problems. My last set of Arnos were made in Ireland, so you know they're good! Arno are here (in Swedish):
http://www.arnostrap.com/ Google-translated to English here:
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arnostrap.com%2F&act=url Arno straps allow one to cinch the load down *tight* so no wobbles from luggage. I love the things. For my cinch straps, I went with some I made myself, using even quicker-release Fastex buckles.
My experience with Surly Nice Rack Rear vs Tubus Logo Evo rear racks mirrors Mickeg's exactly. I've found my Thorn Expedition rear rack to be stiff beyond what I ever would have imagined. It has worked out very well also.
Ooh! I can weigh-in on saddle sores, having once had one the size of a Eurocoin that had to be lanced --
ouch! It did feel much better After.
Fearghal, I can feel for you on this, I
really can! Saddle sores seem to be caused by a breakdown of tissues and friction aggravated by a locally humid environment. They aren't too unlike a bedsore or blistered feet.
A number of things can help, starting with a change in saddle position. Too much weight on the saddle, the wrong angle, or squirming on it can all start or aggravate the condition, as can a hair that has flexed and allowed bacteria to enter the root follicle.
Riding in damp, wet, or sweat-soaked shorts can be a problem, too. I am often in the position of having to use the same riding shorts for a week at a time while on-tour (desert touring with no available water source for laundry).
Eew, I know, but this is the reality. Whenever I stop for the day and make camp, the first thing off is my riding shorts, with a change to casual shorts or even -- if it is
truly remote -- letting the nether regions go al fresco for 15 minutes or so to air out and dry. I rotate between two pair of shorts, turning the "old" pair wrongside-out to air in the sunshine atop my racktop load, which does wonders and -- Of course! First chance! -- laundering them at the nearest opportunity or dunking them in a stream when I find it (soap used a hundred meters away from the running water to prevent the fish from blowing bubbles). I also go without underwear on my day rides from home, but will usually take a liner underpant or three while on extended tour (get some that don't have seams where you'll be sitting. The old SpinSkinz brand were good). These can be rinsed out under a water bottle (water and soap, whenever possible), allowing me to extend the life of the shorts.
It is really important to also keep the skin clean as possible. Sometimes on-tour, I will use a dab of waterless, gel-alcohol hand sanitizer in a spot under each of my sit-bones. It does help.
Vitamin E capsules rubbed into the skin under the ischial tuberosities (sit bones) has helped me in the past, as does Desitin or other brands of baby diaper rash cream or a broad-spectrum antibiotic ointment. In the "olden days" when chamois liners were real, I used chamois creme to keep the leather soft and pliable and to reduce the bacteria count (most of the cremes contained vitamin E and some sort of mild disinfectant). Synthetic chamois are so much more comfortable and convenient and require essentially no care. Still, the principle of reducing friction through lubrication can help. I've used a product called "BodyGlide" to good effect. The now make a relabeled version for use when riding in cycling shorts. See:
http://www.bodyglide.com/ Amazon also carry it:
http://www.amazon.com/BodyGlide-BGCB-Bodyglide-Original-Anti-Chafe/dp/B005L8YVRO ...as do REI:
http://www.rei.com/product/745879/bodyglide-anti-chafe-formula-13-oz If you're near Rotterdam, BeverSports have carried it in the past (they have everything and are a great store for the cyclo-camper to visit):
http://www.bever.nl/Once started, the
real problem with saddle sores comes with infection. These areas often start with what looks (and feels!) like a pimple and soon staph causes an infection. At that point (before, really) it is wise to visit a physician for a look-see and professional treatment, as home remedies will no longer work. An infection -- especially in that area -- is serious stuff, so please don't delay seeking help if it is already nearing that point or there. Doctors have seen everything and are usually eager to help with such things, especially in places where lots of people cycle and even moreso if you're touring. It seems to be a point of pride to get one back on the road and cycling pain-free quickly.
I sure hope this helps, Feraghal. You're doing well, and all encouragement your way. Thanks for the netbook info; I'm going much the same route myself. Do take care, and let us know how you are doing with these issues as you can.
Best,
Dan.
