Saddle Discomfort and Lady Bits

[corey]

I'm right there with you! I have tried to express to my husband how uncomfortable I am with my saddle (it's the one that came with my bike) but he doesn't think I could possibly have it as bad as he does w/ HIS anatomy. (Apparently, riding on tiny little seats with the twig & berries crammed into skintight pants isn't so comfy for the men, either.)

Personally, riding on my stock saddle has given me SO much pain that I haven't gone riding in over 4 years. I kind of became hopeless. I started out with NO knowledge of proper cycling gear and I am ashamed that I gave up so easily... but riding just HURT! (I'll spare you the details!)

I'm now educating myself about the multitude of options that I actually have as far as making myself more comfortable while riding.

Needless to say, the first thing on my shopping list (well, besides KNICKERS) will be a new saddle.

I'm so glad this thread was posted & that it has so many responses that are helpful. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has experienced discomfort with her 'lady bits'!

[rowboatgirl]

Thanks guys! I guess it's off to get a new saddle before my century in September! And the "how to measure your girly bits" advice is AWESOME! I wasn't quite sure how to go about that whole process!

Oh and I'm riding a Giant FCR 2 W...I know it's not a super fast, awesome road bike, but it's a start and I'm going to ride it as hard and fast as possible until I can afford an upgrade!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I know from experience that you gotta take care of what you sit on. I always thought a chamois was so important well now I'm finding out that all it does for me now is sand the bits and they aren't really happy about that at all. I got a kidney infection from poor hydration and just being sloppy about hydration and hygeine (okay I fell asleep and didn't shower after) so I'm on the bench. I'm one of those women that if I don't urinate and rinse after sex, bike riding and swimming I'm sure to get either a UTI or a kidney infection if I ignore it. But for me, the big change I'm finding is riding with just normal shorts that are tight, such as a pair of Russell athletic shorts. Try it if you keep getting the bits sanded, you might not need the chamois at all. Now for mtn biking, I'm fine with a chamois, it's just when I ride on the road I can't take the chamois. I have a Terry Butterfly on my mtn bike and the stock saddle on my commuter bike. I'm switching the butterfly back and forth now as well because well, that stock saddle is not nice. It's really crazy how the cutout makes such a difference!