My saddle is killing me

[withm]

No one has asked this and I don't think you mentioned it, but you ARE wearing PADDED bicycle shorts, aren't you?

If not, get thee to a LBS and buy a pair - that may make all the difference in the world to you. And if you already have them, well, never mind.

I went through 5 seats before I got one that was comfy. My bike shop was very good about letting me try seats till I got one that I liked (which they ordered in for me).

[latelatebloomer]

Just a little helper tip regarding healing. (My saddle's not going the distance, either) After my big ride on Sat, my vulva area was just a little sore - but then got irritated by something I put in the bath water. DH suggested the aloe gel with lidocaine that we keep in the fridge for sunburns. It worked GREAT (but I let it warm up a little Hope you're mended and "getting back together."

[farrellcollie]

In terms of an adjustable stem - I got this one from a place called yellow jersey -the AX50 adapter
- but it is a cool and easy to install adjustable stem
Try this:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/ax50.html

[Selkie]

Just a little helper tip regarding healing. (My saddle's not going the distance, either) After my big ride on Sat, my vulva area was just a little sore - but then got irritated by something I put in the bath water. DH suggested the aloe gel with lidocaine that we keep in the fridge for sunburns. It worked GREAT (but I let it warm up a little Hope you're mended and "getting back together."

Aquaphor also works great for chafing in the nether-regions. I used it a lot--post-ride--this past winter.

[Kathi]

You said you have short arms? Did they position your handlebars in relation to your saddle to accomodate them? Are you bending from the hips or from the waist? Are you curving your back to reach the handlebars? You should be in a neutral position and may require the handlebars be raised.

Are the handlebars short reach? Many WSD bikes include short reach handlebars. They bring the brifters closer to you and center you better over the bike.

Also, your saddle could be too high. Try lowering it slightly to see if that helps.

[Starfish]

No one has asked this and I don't think you mentioned it, but you ARE wearing PADDED bicycle shorts, aren't you?

Oh, so true. I've been riding 3 years, and have not ridden in anything but bike shorts in that time. But, awhile back, I decided to hop on the trainer indoors for a brief, easy, 15-minute recovery spin before doing some rolling-pin massage. I jumped on the bike in jeans, thinking, it is only for a few minutes.

I didn't realize it, but I had gone totally numb from the jeans' center seam in those 15 minutes, and when the feeling returned, I felt pain I could not have imagined. Now when I see people riding out there in anything but lycra, I am amazed, and I will now put on cycling shorts for ANY time on the bike.