A Years Break and a soft groin. Advice needed.

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Hey all,

Right, hate to admit this, but since passing my driving test last Feb, and buying my car in March, I've not ridden properly.
So, since being a driver more than cyclist, my groin has gone back to being baby soft (if there's such a thing?).

Is there any advice people can give, to ensure I can build this back up, without it being too painful, or is it a case of suck it up buttercup?

I'm needing to build this back up pronto, as have a 76 mile sportive end of May, and hopefully with a few 62/66 mile rides to build up to, I should be back to being tough as nails (not to mention, I lose my car to my partner end of May/early June).

Any suggestions, recommendations etc are more than welcome, if there is any to be made!

Before anyone says, I'm sorry for letting the team down. I'm disappointed in myself, and have put some of my lost weight on, but with the rides, and loss of car, this should come off reasonably swiftly.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

HTFU

 

[Crandoggler]

Literally ride your bike. That is all.

 

[vickster]

Ride your bike and maybe get better shorts

Do you mean your groin, or your man parts or your backside?

 

[helston90]

Just keep riding, as much as you can, even short trips to the shop, anything just to get your soft skin hardened up again.

 

[Globalti]

Rub your saddle area with chilli powder, that will take your mind off the pressure pain.

Seriously though, you are wearing padded shorts, aren't you?

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

HTFU

??? HTFU???

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Rub your saddle area with chilli powder, that will take your mind off the pressure pain.

Seriously though, you are wearing padded shorts, aren't you?

Like the chilli powder suggestion. This might be something to do.

As for padded stuff, to commute, I don't, no. For sportives and doing these longer rides I've committed myself to, I will be.
Commuting, I don't see the point, as it's only 5 miles or so.

I will be grabbing my turbo and secondary bike to start getting back into shape, so that's something which'll happen tomorrow.

@vickster, nope, I mean the groin. Happy with my spuds and sizeable rear
Think it's definitely grow a set and get on with it time.

 

[subaqua]

??? HTFU???

Harden the F Up , can also be known as MTFU with M being Man
search for Chopper Read on You tube

 

[velovoice]

@vickster, nope, I mean the groin. Happy with my spuds and sizeable rear
Think it's definitely grow a set and get on with it time.

If you're talking front of hip.... then it's hip flexors. Lots of exercises and stretches for that, depending on whether they hurt because they're weak or because they're tight - or both. Also make sure all your glute muscles are activating/engaging properly as they do the opposing work as the hip flexors so weakness/tightness in either group of muscles (front or back) will have adverse effect on the other group. See a physio if in doubt.
Meanwhile, enjoy riding your bike! Certainly a fine day for it.

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Harden the F Up , can also be known as MTFU with M being Man
search for Chopper Read on You tube

Those are definitely my only options. So will get back on it tomorrow, and start doing some of my old training routes again.

 

[subaqua]

I would have posted the Chopper Video but even i have standards !

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Not seen either Chopper Read or Chopper Video, so haven't a clue as yet.

 

[mythste]

Like the chilli powder suggestion. This might be something to do.

As for padded stuff, to commute, I don't, no. For sportives and doing these longer rides I've committed myself to, I will be.
Commuting, I don't see the point, as it's only 5 miles or so.

I will be grabbing my turbo and secondary bike to start getting back into shape, so that's something which'll happen tomorrow.

@vickster, nope, I mean the groin. Happy with my spuds and sizeable rear
Think it's definitely grow a set and get on with it time.

Even for your commute wear bibs. No point risking even a little rub or chafe if you're gonna be busting out metric centuries in a month.

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

I've (currently) only one set of bibs, which is why I ride without for commuting. But I do have some padded boxers which I don't mind wearing 5 days a week in the hope they help reduce the pain while strengthening.