What we don't want to talk about...

For all the men out there, this is your warning, read on at your own risk, but girls, listen up. I don't know how many of you have experienced a yeast infection, but most of us have at one time or another, they are nasty. I did some research, I wanted to know if there was a connected between cycling and yeast infections. I found a lot of women who have had this issue and fought it in different ways. This article was the best I found and wraps the info all up pretty nicely. Thanks to LIVESTRONG.com, hope you don't mind I post your article here. :)

Overview

At some point in their lives, most women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection. WomensHealth.gov estimates that 75 percent of women will have one at some point in their lives, and most will have two or more. For women who ride -- either bicycles or motorcycles -- this problem can become even peskier. Sweaty workout clothes and the lack of air circulation between the body and seat create the perfect breeding ground for a fungus called Candida.

Definition

According to "Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary," a vaginal yeast infection happens when Candida multiplies and grows in the vagina and vulva. Most people know the condition by the uncomfortable itchy-burning feeling that comes with it, and the cottage-cheese-like discharge. Some people also have pain during sex. Although there are scads of home remedies out there, yeast infections usually require some kind of medical intervention.

Causes

Even the healthiest vagina has some amount of yeast peacefully existing and causing no trouble. The problem begins when the yeast multiplies out of control. "The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook" explains that these infections often result when we give the yeast a happy breeding ground --- this includes a moist environment created by tight, non-absorbent underwear and clothing. Other contributing factors include stress, lack of sleep, hormones, poor diet, some medicines and certain contraceptives.

Biking

A 2003 Italian study published in the "European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology" showed that the most common factors associated with yeast infections were lifestyle traits, which included wearing synthetic underwear, biking and motorcycling.
When biking, many women wear tight, synthetic bike shorts with added padding in the seat. This combination creates an excellent environment for the yeast to thrive. Weather can make the situation worse --- a hot, humid climate will allow a lot of sweat to accumulate in your seat.

Treatment

Talk to your physician if you think you have a yeast infection; this is important because it is possible for a more serious condition to look like a yeast infection. Your doctor might have you take a course of antibiotics or use a cream until the infection goes away.
Some women experience repeated and frequent yeast infections. If you find yourself in this uncomfortable situation, make sure you are taking the best possible care of yourself and not creating a happy breeding ground for the yeast.

Prevention

If you bike often and suffer from yeast infections, focus on staying dry. Change out of your bike shorts as soon as possible after you get off the bike. Shower with baby soap after your workout. Wear cotton underwear. When biking, try breathable cotton shorts instead of synthetic fibers. If your seat is uncomfortable without padded shorts, then it could be time to upgrade to a cushier saddle specifically designed for a woman. Some have anatomical cutouts to allow for better circulation in this critical area.

Everyone is different. Consult with your physician about your individual situation and risk factors.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/283953-bicycle-riding-yeast-infections/#ixzz1MLQUFvB7

The figure 8

Quicker ride today, I have family in town so Tiffany met me at my house and Doug came with us this time. We did two loops I'm relatively familiar with so it went faster. We only had to stop twice in order to double check directions. :) A GPS would sure be rad on a bike ride. Overall it was a good ride, I wore rain gear and didn't need it, the sun actually peaked out for the last 2 hours of the ride. I felt good, but need to ride longer this week. With family in town I'm not sure how to do it, but I will figure it out somehow.

Today was an adventure. I mapped a great ride for Tiffany and I, we were going to ride on back country roads with minimal traffic and see some pretty sights. The plan was to do 62 miles with only one big climb. My plan was with the climb at the end, luckily Tiffany opted to go backwards and have the climb at the beginning so we took off. Long story short, the climb ended up being a bit more heinous then we thought and it ended in a dirt road that was apparently private property. The map my ride maps don't tell you if the road is a really really small backwood road where people get mad at you because you just don't belong. I was glad Tiffany had a sense of humor or I would have been on her crap list.

After we figured out our original plan was not going to work we rerouted and back tracked to the main highway heading north. The cars travel fast, but the shoulder was okay. We made our way into Monroe where we stopped to fill up on water and use the beverage store restroom that had no toilet paper This was at about mile 33 and as we pulled away Tiffany got a front tire flat. Luckily, due to her quick learning and the two summers I spent working at a bike shop, we got that wheel fixed up in no time. Back on the road we heading west. We made one more stop about 10 miles later to pee once again. At least I knew I was drinking enough water, I was not going to dehydrate!

We continued west along the Snohomish River and back down the other side of the Snohomish River Valley, this was absolutely beautiful. We made our way from there down to Maltby then along Paradise Valley Road, this was all smooth sailing. We got all our issues out at the beginning and had a great mellow ride home. 68 miles and 6.5 hours later, we were home. Hopefully a ride will not have to take this long ever again. We decided we would only do exploratory rides every other week. :)

MPH

I must increase my average miles per hour, I feel like I'm going fast on average, when I look down at my computer I am going 17-18 but then my average is about 15. What's the deal?! I rode in the gym today because the weather was rotten, I rode for 60 minutes and went 17.44 miles. I don't feel like I pushed it or went any harder then usual. So what does this mean? I came to the conclusion that riding in the city or anywhere with lights, stop signs, traffic, etc, greatly kills my average mph. I am going to try and do a few rides with very minimal stopping and see if that ups my average. I have to average 17 mph to make the STP in one day under 12 hours. I'm not sure I want to do it in one day, but I am shooting for the moon here.

Back on the road

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It's been a while now since I've actually gone on a real ride. My body has finally finished whatever battle is was fighting. I was on the verge of getting really sick. My body has been fatigued, I had headaches, tummy aches, nausea, dizziness, all this weird stuff off and on for two weeks and NO, I'm not prego. :) I tried to ride twice, the first time I was so beat after 22 easy miles that I was almost out for the day. The second ride was 17 miles in a gym and I was dizzy and dead by the end. YUCK!

Anyway, I felt great yesterday, finally and thought I would try my luck today with some miles. I took off from work and felt great the whole ride and after the ride. "Game on!" It felt so good to pedal, to push, to work. The weather was fantastic, sunny and warm enough to not be wearing multiple layers. I hope the weather holds for tomorrow's ride. :)

Friday rode with Ben

I only rode once last week. I have been feeling ill since Monday of last week so didn't bike much. Friday early I went with Ben. It was fun to go with the hubby. We did the Burk-Gilman to Freemont and Ballard then back up to the Interurban trail and back home. 22 miles, nothing fancy. Ben does well and kept up just fine. He's amazing, no time on the bike in the last months, not much cardio either and he just hops right on a keeps up without an issue. UGH! Boys! No ride Saturday, again, I just don't feel well. :( Let's hope this lifts soon.

Top 10 Reasons, err, excuses, not to bike...

Yah, that's right, I said reasons not to bike. What I really mean is...I haven't biked once this week, yet. I have had excuse after excuse. This is where all you all out there have to kick in and motivate me to suck it up and ride my bike anyway. Well, either way, ponder on these excuses and see if you can relate to any...

10. I have no one to go with, or I don't feel like going alone.
9. My husband misses me.
8. It's supposed to rain today (oh, wait, I live in Seattle, it rains every day)
7. I have to stay late at work to get a project done.
6. I already can't feel my toes.
5. I'm TIRED!
4. I feel like I'm getting sick, better not push it and get really sick.
3. I have a flat and for some reason can't bring myself to just fix it.
2. But I want to go to that dinner party, I'll be late if I ride.
1. And the #1 reason for today is...a horse bolted down the trail and I had to work him hard to make sure he knows he can't get away with that type of childish behavior.

No matter the excuse, you have to just make the decision, go or don't go and of course, you should decide to go. Training will only ultimately work if you stick to the plan and make it a priority over most other things. You have to accept the choices you are making and be okay with sacrificing your typical pleasures for the thing you want more, the thing you want most whether it be unashamed attractiveness with the new skinny you, a top five finish (or at least faster then that one girl, you know who she is), feeling good with the new found fitness, making it to the end of a double century and being able to walk the next day, whatever, it just has to be more important and worth the work.

Good thing riding is so much fun, it's worth the sacrifice.