Sore Butt

[imdawn]

I just got my first road bike. I absolutely love riding! I do have one dilemma. My butt has been sore (you probably know what kind of sore I am talking about) during and after rides. I have only been on three rides. I am trying to debate on whether or not to go ahead and buy a new WSD saddle or to see if I will get used to the factory saddle (it is a relatively cheap bike). So what I am asking is, would you suggest I wait and see if I get used to it --or-- do you think that I might be better off to go ahead splurge on a new saddle? (in other words did you get used to a saddle that initially hurt?)

[Dogmama]

Poor puppy! Initially, there will be some soreness until things toughen up a bit (I'm not talking big callouses, but it does tend to get better). What kind of shorts are you riding in? A good pair of padded shorts can do wonders.

We're all different down there. I cannot stand a wide saddle and tend to ride narrow leather saddles (not specific to anything, just the old fashioned kind). In the beginning, they take a week or so to break in, but then they're really nice.

Also, look at the tilt of your saddle. If the nose tilts up, you might be putting undue pressure down there. Ditto if your handlebars are too low - you might be putting a lot of weight in those sensitive areas.

Desitin (the baby butt product) is great post-ride. It is healing and slightly numbing.

[imdawn]

Thanks for the tip. I do have cycling shorts and I think they do help. I will also take a look at my seat and handlebars. Thanks again.

[elevenpointfive]

I just wanted to re-emphasize the point that, if you're just starting out, you most likely WILL be sore even with the best of equipment and TLC. I'm getting going again after nearly a year of not riding, and I know my stuff is all good because last year I rode with it no problem, but the nether bits still hurt some now from lack of use. They just have to get accustomed to it.

Get good equipment, fit it right, keep with it and things will improve.

[Dogmama]

Ditto about the "it's going to hurt anyway". Several years ago I did a ride across Arizona & was in the saddle for 9 days @ approx 65 miles/day. At the end, my legs, back, etc., were fine but my "nether bits" (love that!) were screaming. The last two days were really painful.

Now I can say "I did it" and I don't ever have to do it again!

Kim

[Kathisings]

Thanks for pointing out this post...since my initial thread I did a lot of reading here and at some other forums....obviously these issues are common. I will also look into the seat tilt, handles bars, etc. And I didn't realize that my hydration was very insufficient in terms or riding or just plain strength training/cardio. Anyway, thanks for the help. I'm bummed right now cuz I"m not okay enough in the "nether regions" to ride right now. I got back on my bike too soon after being treated for the UTI/yeast thing. In any case I'm looking forward to more riding as I get this all figured out.

Thanks,
Kathie

[ridin a giant]

HI,

I can certainly appreciate your concerns about pressure and soreness. I'm pretty new to riding too (almost 700 kms this summer). When I first started, my butt and pressure points were really sore. Reading here helped me greatly and it armed with some knowledge that I could take when it came time to purchase shorts and a new seat.

I have a men's Giant OCR 3. I'm about 160 lbs and 5'8 1/2", and the men's seat hurt no matter what I tried. So I purchased a Selle Italia LDY Gel Flow and a pair of Louis Garneau Women Ergo Sensor shorts (great padding).

The Selle is great. I don't have any pressure in my butt but do still get some pressure on the tender parts. I had to adjust my handbar stem and lift my handbars up a bit. This really made a difference in how I distributed my weight. I tend to ride with my seat back a little with only a slight dip downward, and found that this was the best for me. Perhaps having long legs has something to do with it? Micro-adjusting was the way to go and I'm still trying to find what works best for me.

As for soreness, I tried the vasoline route. It was messy but it helped somewhat. I found shaving the best for me. Although there is always preparation when I'm planning to go biking, I find that I don't get chafted as long as there is no growth.

Stick with biking regardless, adjust your seat and handlebars. The more you ride, the more you will be able to pinpoint things that you think you should adjust. Remember that it's not a natural position (to be seated on a bike) and you have to find your comfort zone. Some places will let you try out a seat to see if this is the route you want to go. If you have friends with wm specific seats, borrow it. When you try a seat that is better suited to you, you'll know immediately. Keep in mind that I don't think there is a seat out there that will feel absolutely perfect.

Keep in touch

Cindy,

NB Canada

[keruin]

I really am glad to hear people talking about this. I'm baffled. I was getting comfy on my seat during training rides and then did 500 miles across Iowa and found out what Saddle Sore really means.

One suggestion, and one question. Butt Butter really seemed to help on the long rides, maybe because it reduced friction. It is applied as if you had a hemorrhoid (pardon graphicness, but I myself needed this instruction just two weeks ago.) and it helps in the general area, not just right where applied.

My question is: has anyone ever gotten an ingrown hair in the cookie region/nether bits? That really plagued me as I rode in Iowa. It hasn't gotten better yet, and I don't know what to do. Is that why women would shave before a ride like this?

Thanks for any input --

Keruin

[imdawn]

Thank you all for all of your great suggestions. Sadly I have only gotten to go on about 3 rides since i got my bike a few weeks ago. My friend who got me in to riding basically doesn't like taking the time to ride with me. So I have to wait until I can afford all the nessecary gear to ride alone (I don't have my own flat kit or anything). I am going crazy waiting. As soon as I get my scholarship money for the semester I can get myself all set up. Then, a rider I will be