Salty Bike Shorts

[The_Mikester]

Last summer after a bad ride (I felt kind of sick afterwards) my wife pointed out that my bike shorts appeared to have salt all over them.

Anyone run into this or have any ideas?

 

[phessler]

Sounds normal. Perspiration contains a lot of salt.

 

[lookkg386]

You sweat, the water content evapourates and your left with the mineral content(salt), all good and all normal

 

[Dr. Wattini]

My shorts have white stripes after every single ride.... no kidding. I also used to suffer of cramps so I made the connection of dehidratation and cramps. In my personal experience the cramps happened from the salt (in a lesser way) but mostly from my lack of endurance training.
Don't worry about the salt, if you have a normal diet, you already consume enough of it.

 

[ElChingon]

I guess you are a fellow sweat hog

Its most noticeable on black shorts and other black colored clothing. On very long rides in the summer I even notice salt deposits (as I call them) on my arms. If you don't clean up your helmet like I have to, the straps turn white where there's build up is heaviest, nothing some soap and water can't prevent, if you don't do it the straps get super nasty after a while.

I've started to use that new deodorant detergent Win (not an advert, I'm sure there are other brands) which helps keep the kit from reaking due to the excessive sweat.

Notes from a fellow sweat hog.

 

[ATAC50]

I guess you are a fellow sweat hog

Its most noticeable on black shorts and other black colored clothing. On very long rides in the summer I even notice salt deposits (as I call them) on my arms. If you don't clean up your helmet like I have to, the straps turn white where there's build up is heaviest, nothing some soap and water can't prevent, if you don't do it the straps get super nasty after a while.

I've started to use that new deodorant detergent Win (not an advert, I'm sure there are other brands) which helps keep the kit from reaking due to the excessive sweat.

Notes from a fellow sweat hog.

+1.
I'm much the same way -- after a good summertime ride, or even coming home from work in the summer, my shirts look like they're tye-dyed; helmet pads and straps look like they've been bleached.

Oddly enough, I also discovered that Gatorade tastes better when I'm like this....lol

 

[Bishfactor]

I guess you are a fellow sweat hog

Its most noticeable on black shorts and other black colored clothing. On very long rides in the summer I even notice salt deposits (as I call them) on my arms. If you don't clean up your helmet like I have to, the straps turn white where there's build up is heaviest, nothing some soap and water can't prevent, if you don't do it the straps get super nasty after a while.

I've started to use that new deodorant detergent Win (not an advert, I'm sure there are other brands) which helps keep the kit from reaking due to the excessive sweat.

Notes from a fellow sweat hog.

worth pointing out that salt is pretty abrasive, so when it's in your clothes/straps or whatever it will increase the wear dramatically if left on/in there. and on the Gatorade etc, much cheaper to make your own home brew with essentially sugar, some salt and weak fruit juice for example. heaps of recipes on the net....