How do you avoid butt chafing?

Of all the questions we've received about our revolutionary romp across the desert, this one demands a blogged answer. Thanks P!

As any cyclist knows, a single grain of sand, fleck of grit or other mean morsel of dirt can cause havoc between your cheeks. Such ill intentioned imps can osmose through your nice Nettis, garrulous Giordanas or even salubrious Sugois. Left for even one minute to work their evil, they cause long lasting chafing between even the pertest pair of gluteus maximus.

Reflecting the refrain for our chosen chairty, "Prevention is better than cure!"

Bring out the Aussie butt cream! Or for cheapskates, use your favourite lubricant:

There are many mountain bike tips 'n' trix that are unspoken, learned when earned over many dirty kms of blood, sweat and tears.

Some years ago I completed one of the infamous Polaris Challenges - a stellar 2-day overnight mountain bike race. As my kids were young, I was unable to do the event with my usual partner (husband Shane) and entered instead using the Polaris "find a friend" - we shall call him Gaffa. (Which leads to another tip for another blog.)

On Day 2, my hitherto unknown bike buddie screeched to a halt wearing an alarmingly serious facial expression. Digging deep into his daypack, muttering "Vaseleeeeen" alongside a remote stretch of pine forest, I became fearful for my own safety. Unfettered by pride or decency, and racing for time, Gaffa stuck his fingers into the Vaseline and then rubbed up and down inside the back of his bike nix. Right there on the trail.

Good bike nix + Vaseline = no butt chafing