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| *Vultures Knob>>>Kids Bike |
Cycling sooooo uncomfortable!? |
i am quite new to cycling-had bike for 1year but only rode about 3 times cos of kids etc, but hopin to do more as both kids in all day school in september but whenever i go i am in so much pain after! i wear padded shorts but still feel totally battered and bruised and rubbed raw for a couple days afterwards. how do others deal with this. i have a brand new brooks leather ladies saddle which is hard, but im told i must wear it in. what can i do. i normally only do about 10-12 miles as im so unfit. i hope to improve my fitness levels and do more but i dont think ill be able to walk again if i do! Many of the previous suggestions are good. Brooks leather saddles are firm, but I know a lot of people that love them once you get past the broken in period. I would wonder, like the previous posters have said, if your bike isn't fitted quite right. The following should get you within 2cm of the perfect fit - taken from Andy Pruitt's Medical Guide to Cycling (sorry if the title isn't perfectly correct) 1st - just pedal normally for about a mile to get into your normal rhythm, then put your heels on the pedals and pedal slowly - ideal height should have you with knees fully extended at the bottom and heels almost coming off, that way your seat isn't too high and you are able to pedal most efficiently. Adjust up or down as needed. Either way to high or low will cause you to bounce and rub more. 2nd - adjust the seat forward and back - this is harder without a stationary trainer because its hard to get your normal riding position, but basically when your pedals are horizontal, your end of your knee cap should be lining up with the end of the crank (not the axle of the pedal) - if you have to adjust this much, then you need to back and refit number 1. 3rd - make sure your saddle is level - it shouldnt tip forward or backward at all 4th - try to put 40% of ur body/bike weight on the front and 60% on the back If this doesn't work, consider getting it fitted at the bike shop - probably cost you $75 or so though. No, that isnt a lot of mileage and you don't need to "work up to it". If the skin is rubbed raw, it is more of a friction issue, if it is more bruised, then it may be more of a compression/bouncing issue - maybe try different bike shorts or a seatpost with a little suspension or lift your bottom up just a bit when going over bumps. Always get out of those shorts as soon as you are done - otherwise you have a moist, bacterial environment over those areas for a rash to form - get out of them, shower, make sure the area is dry. If you can't shower a splash of rubbing alcohol or something similar will kill off the bacteria. Another option is to try gently rubbing some petroleum jelly (or ur a mom - any of your diaper rash creams - A&D etc.) - i prefer the kinds without zinc oxide if i am going to be riding cause they irritate my skin a bit and I find that the jelly works about the best for me. Anyways, put this on before riding and maybe afterwards or night before. Lastly, tough it out. You don't have to ride everyday, but do it consistently a few days a week. It may be a bit sore, but shouldnt cause you problems for days. Hey, What would help the most would be a pair of bike shorts!!! They make some with spandex inside if you aren't comfortable with just that... I would be hesitant of anything "gel" because adding a layer of gel just causes extra friction, and leads to chaffing. It takes about 200km's to work in a leather bike seat. If the seat doesn't get better you might want to replace it with something more designed for comfort. Personally I like the Specialized Body Geometry series. It might be misadjusted for you - experiment moving it up or down a tad, or sliding it forward and back. It takes an aweful lot of fine tuning to find that perfect spot for you. The more you ride, the more tolerence you'll build, and the more comfortable your seat will become. good luck work in a bike shop if you're wearing in a seat, 10-12 miles a day is too much! no wonder you're sore! start with only, say, 5 miles a day in 2-2.5 mile sessions. that should wear in the seat just fine. you can gradually build up on that but beware! cycling is definitely work on the muscles in your butt, take it easy. There is a product you can rub on the Brooks saddle to help it break in. I believe it's called Proofide. Also look into a chamois cream you can rub on yourself before putting on your shorts before every ride. Make sure you're wearing decent shorts. I'm not crazy about gel shorts but some people like them. Check that your positioning and saddle height are correct. If this doesn't help after toughening yourself up, consider a different saddle. Brooks saddles are not for everyone. Best of luck. You have to cycle everyday , I'm afraid, and go through a pain threshold.If you stop for a day or so ,the next time you get on it will hurt the day after.The pain will wear off after day four or five .Its worth it in the end.Try not to push yourself on the first ride, and try a little and often approach throughout the day.Cycling is very good for the mind as well as the body.No pain , no gain unfortunately. Six years spent travelling Europe on a bike. |
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