Discussion
I've stupidly agreed to do the London to Brighton ride in June. Seeing as it's two months away I have started doing some riding.
My main problem is my arse. It is killing me at the moment. Even after short (five mile) rides.
I've got some padded shorts and legging things (or as my girlfriends son said 'why are you wearing tights?'), and I'm sure they help, but God it's still painful.
If anyone has any tips, they will be most welcome!
My main problem is my arse. It is killing me at the moment. Even after short (five mile) rides.
I've got some padded shorts and legging things (or as my girlfriends son said 'why are you wearing tights?'), and I'm sure they help, but God it's still painful.
If anyone has any tips, they will be most welcome!
Some shops will be able to measure you for a saddle (not sure what that entails though 
).
I bought a more padded seat and hoped for the best. Thankfully it is nice and comfy.
ETA more time in the saddle should also reduce the discomfort if you haven't done much cycling previously.
).I bought a more padded seat and hoped for the best. Thankfully it is nice and comfy.
ETA more time in the saddle should also reduce the discomfort if you haven't done much cycling previously.
Edited by RicharDC5 on Wednesday 20th April 21:30
Another recommendation for the Charge Spoon.
When you say sore, do you mean achy, bruised sore, or blistery, stinging sore? If it's the first it should just get better with more rides, but if you have sores then that would suggest your shorts are wrong, and/or you are moving around on the saddle. Chamois cream or sudocrem is good for that too.
When you say sore, do you mean achy, bruised sore, or blistery, stinging sore? If it's the first it should just get better with more rides, but if you have sores then that would suggest your shorts are wrong, and/or you are moving around on the saddle. Chamois cream or sudocrem is good for that too.
A good pair of cycling shorts (the best you can afford) will help, I would suggest paying over £40 as the shape and quality of the insert/pad is important, then use some Chamois creme (Assos is good and around £12)
As said some shops can fit you for a saddle and then sell you one others have test saddles.
A basic bike fit will also help to check saddle hight and position is right for you.
More time in the saddle will help you harden up.
When wishing shorts use wash liquid not powder and use very little or no fabric conditioner, reason for to using powder is small bits of power may not dissolve and if it stays in the shorts pad as you sweat it can get into the paws of your skin and then cause an infection.
As said some shops can fit you for a saddle and then sell you one others have test saddles.
A basic bike fit will also help to check saddle hight and position is right for you.
More time in the saddle will help you harden up.
When wishing shorts use wash liquid not powder and use very little or no fabric conditioner, reason for to using powder is small bits of power may not dissolve and if it stays in the shorts pad as you sweat it can get into the paws of your skin and then cause an infection.
Five miles isn't long for any saddle to hurt you too much, so I would suggest the saddle isn't positioned anywhere near correct for you so try playing with the positioning. Even when you find an optimum position you may find that it just isn't suited to you and it's saddle shopping time.
But first I'd play with saddle positions and give it some time - a couple of weeks max will tell you if you're riding regularly - to get your body used to it. Make sure you're using a chamois creme and padded shorts which fit properly and don't ride up or sag down.
Everyone is different but for what it's worth my brother also uses the Charge Spoon as mentioned a couple of times above, I don't know if it's popularity is that its an exceptional saddle or that at the price point people don't mind taking a punt but it seems to work for the majority that try it.
But first I'd play with saddle positions and give it some time - a couple of weeks max will tell you if you're riding regularly - to get your body used to it. Make sure you're using a chamois creme and padded shorts which fit properly and don't ride up or sag down.
Everyone is different but for what it's worth my brother also uses the Charge Spoon as mentioned a couple of times above, I don't know if it's popularity is that its an exceptional saddle or that at the price point people don't mind taking a punt but it seems to work for the majority that try it.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff