a um, personal issue

[Runnin Rat]

Don't know quite how to ask this, but seriously need some help/advice. Maybe just sympathy. When I ride over 20+ miles, a certain area of my lower anatomy gets um, pinched. I can deal with it when I ride, though it does being to hurt more and more, like I am being pinched....down...there. Then, when I decide to use the restroom I would rather scream, as it feels like some has just poured acid into a newly opened wound. Though I can't quite "see" down there, something tells me I must be doing something wrong. Is there some way to adjust, either my seat or something to stop this? My husband just can't relate, so he told me to ask you.

So, any help? Please?

[Dianyla]

It sounds like you need a different saddle and possibly different bike shorts. Most likely the saddle, though. Different women's saddles have cutouts for various dainty bits so that they are not bearing the brunt of the contact. Also, make sure that the saddle is properly angled, many women find it more comfortable to point the nose of the saddle slightly downward.

[arnaew]

I can so relate to the acid thing... From my (albeit brief and recent) experience, I've found that once you go over that 20 mile mark and begin to burn, it's for one of two reasons, and sometimes both. The first is 'pressure', where your soft bits are being squashed onto a saddle that does not suit you anatomically. Try different saddles, particularly those with either cut outs or gel inserts. I now have the latter, and love it. Make sure that when you ride, you are wearing bike shorts with a good chamois - riding without will bring you grief.
The second 'cause' is friction, which is all about your shorts. No matter how well fitting they are, if you are senstive in that area, you will rub yourself raw once you go over a certain distance. You need to lubricate the chamois. I know some women say 'ugh' to having a viscose product on their private parts, but honestly, I just don't notice it any more, and I've been doing plus 50m without any chafing since I started doing it. And don't go spending $$$ on expensive specialised butter and the like; go to the supermarket and buy tubes of pure lanolin for about $5. If it's safe for babies, it's safe for me. Just slather it over the chamois, and off you go! Just remember, when you get back from the ride, get those shorts off straight away, put you and them in the wash, and Bob's your uncle! Let us know how you go.
A
PS The added bonus of lanolin is it keeps the chamois super soft!

[allabouteva]

go to the supermarket and buy tubes of pure lanolin for about $5. If it's safe for babies, it's safe for me. Just slather it over the chamois, and off you go! Just remember, when you get back from the ride, get those shorts off straight away, put you and them in the wash, and Bob's your uncle! Let us know how you go.
A
PS The added bonus of lanolin is it keeps the chamois super soft!

Hey arnaew, I'm going to try that tip of yours... I've been riding commando (as we all know we're supposed to ) with the knicks but never tried any of those lubricants/creams. So how much do you use?

eva

[Nanci]

I've had the peeing razorblades sensation both from long distance running and cycling- and I've noticed, with cycling, that eventually, it goes away. Over the course of months. I guess the tissues just get used to it. One thing I am very careful about is getting completely dry after peeing, because any urine left there can be very irritating. I used to use a lanolin udder balm, but stopped after a while, and really haven't missed it, though it was helpful when I was newer to long distances. BTW, I am not a commando rider- just can't handle it. I tried.

I've noticed a lot of things have just gone away- neck and shoulder pain, sit bones pain, hand and wrist pain, foot hot spots. It's like the body just adjusts and eventually stops hurting. I was most pleased to have the neck/shoulder pain quit.

Nanci

[bcipam]

My friends and I call that problem a "twisted sister". One reason why I hate to use the bathroom while riding... I just never seem to get my short back on right and everything gets "tangled" up and uncomfortable.

Just a thought, make sure you are wearing a good cycling short that fits properly. Do not wear underwear. Try using a cream or ointment such as Assos Creme or Chamois Butter to lub the chamois. That will keep the friction and irritation down. I also make sure before I ride to use corn starch baby powder "down there" to keep things dry.

Many cyclist talk about "seat time". After a period of time, everything seems to "toughen up" and sitting in the saddle for longer periods of time become more comfortable but once the rides get longer and longer, the problem may re-occur. It's just the nature of cycling.

A good saddle is helpful. I started last March (2005) riding with the Terry Butterfly and alot of my problems went away. This saddle may not work as well for you but some saddle will. Do some reserach. This website has lots of info re saddles and saddle sores.