Back in the saddle

[Warren.s]

Hi new to the forum ..
I started cycling last year and trained for a 100 miler in 3months organised by my boss, I actually completed last July to my amazement. Took 9.5 hours but I done it..
After the ride to say I was saddle sore was an understatement, I was bleeding for 2 days and had serious scabs for 3weeks that kept cracking and bleeding. I wore cycling shorts with the usual padding. I have hardly been on the bike all winter max 40 miles over the last 4months.
I have signed up for the same ride again this year and started training for it far earlier this year so I'm more prepared.
What I would like to know is what can I do to stop the saddle sore as I cannot go through that again. Is there any recommended shorts I could buy or a new saddle.
I have already purchased cycling shoes and pedals to help as I done it in trainers and standard pedals.

Thank you in advance

Warren s

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Hi Warren S, and welcome aboard.
There'll be lots of advice and hopefully what you try will work.
Some people are able to take to the saddle with minimal impact on the nether region and the opposite extreme is similar to yourself.
All I can advise is decent padded shorts - these don't gave to cost a week's wages, a good chamois cream and building up your time in the saddle.
Possibly pay try a different saddle and check its setup right, fore/aft position, tilt and height.

This may seem a bit cheeky, but try using an anti-bacterial soap too, as minor rashes can lead to that type of problem.
Wash your shorts using Halo sports wash or adding dettol anti-bacterial wash instead of fabric conditioner.

I hope some of this helps you

T

 

[vickster]

I assume you went commando with the shorts?

100 miles is a lot to do without toughening up the tender bits beforehand, so not surprising you were sore. Good shorts that fit well, possibly a saddle with a cut out

 

[Kies]

Some chamois cream helps with long distances. Go commando.
How do you find a 50 mile ride? If your getting discomfort at that distance, it may be worth experimenting with different saddles

 

[Gravity Aided]

What sort of saddle are you using? I may be a matter of angle, fit, or saddle construction as well as clothing. A bike fitting, either at your LBS or online, is probably a good idea. Online offerings may be a good place to start. Then, if you cannot still cope, you may think about a bike fitting. They cost a good deal, but sure are better than bleeding for 2 days and scabs for three weeks. Egad!

 

[Easytigers]

There's no substitute for time in the saddle IMHO but all of the above should get you round without the level of pain you had last time! I'm impressed that you're doing it again after that!!!

 

[Warren.s]

Some chamois cream helps with long distances. Go commando.
How do you find a 50 mile ride? If your getting discomfort at that distance, it may be worth experimenting with different saddles

Hi thanks for reply.
After a fifty mile ride I'm sore but not to the point where it's rubbed so much I'm bleeding.

 

[Warren.s]

What sort of saddle are you using? I may be a matter of angle, fit, or saddle construction as well as clothing. A bike fitting, either at your LBS or online, is probably a good idea. Online offerings may be a good place to start. Then, if you cannot still cope, you may think about a bike fitting. They cost a good deal, but sure are better than bleeding for 2 days and scabs for three weeks. Egad!

Hi, it's just the boardman saddle that came with the bike. Thanks for the ideas I will give the online fitting a try first to see if that helps.

 

[Warren.s]

Hi Warren S, and welcome aboard.
There'll be lots of advice and hopefully what you try will work.
Some people are able to take to the saddle with minimal impact on the nether region and the opposite extreme is similar to yourself.
All I can advise is decent padded shorts - these don't gave to cost a week's wages, a good chamois cream and building up your time in the saddle.
Possibly pay try a different saddle and check its setup right, fore/aft position, tilt and height.

This may seem a bit cheeky, but try using an anti-bacterial soap too, as minor rashes can lead to that type of problem.
Wash your shorts using Halo sports wash or adding dettol anti-bacterial wash instead of fabric conditioner.

I hope some of this helps you

T

Hi and thanks

 

[Warren.s]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm thinking better quality shorts, a better saddle and some chamois cream. Also get the bike setup correctly.
Next question does anyone have any suggestions on good quality shorts, saddles.
I went out early this morning in the wind and rain but only managed 15 mile before I got p***** off and went home, I can start to feel my undercarriage getting sore already.
I read a few reviews on funkier 10 panel active shorts, are they any good?

Thank you

Warren

 

[Shut Up Legs]

If it's any help: the saddle must be a perfect compromise between hard and soft. Too hard, and it's uncomfortable, but too soft, and the saddle's padding will mold itself to your behind, which may sound good, but will actually chafe more. But any decent bike shop fitter should tell you that, too.

 

[Warren.s]

Hi Warren S, and welcome aboard.
There'll be lots of advice and hopefully what you try will work.
Some people are able to take to the saddle with minimal impact on the nether region and the opposite extreme is similar to yourself.
All I can advise is decent padded shorts - these don't gave to cost a week's wages, a good chamois cream and building up your time in the saddle.
Possibly pay try a different saddle and check its setup right, fore/aft position, tilt and height.

This may seem a bit cheeky, but try using an anti-bacterial soap too, as minor rashes can lead to that type of problem.
Wash your shorts using Halo sports wash or adding dettol anti-bacterial wash instead of fabric conditioner.

I hope some of this helps you

T

Hi and thanks for the advice, what is the ideal or correct position fir the saddle, fore/aft tilt etc or is it just a case of experimenting.

Warren

 

[vickster]

Normally flat

What is your budget for shorts? Castelli are popular, also the better Decathlon and DHB ones from Wiggle

 

[Colin S]

Hello there.

I used to have a problem on my mountain bike and tried a number of different saddles but they didn't really make much difference.

When I got a road bike the problem practically went away. Same shorts etc but I think it is the position change. Are you sat too upright? Lots of online bike fitting advice about saddle height reach to bars etc. I used one of them and transformed my comfort.

Hope you get it sorted.

C

 

[Kies]

If your getting sore after 15 miles, then something definately wrong there. Set the saddle absolutely horizontal (use a sprit level) and buy some decent shorts, something like dhb's from wiggle and perfectly fine. Then apply some chamois cream and try again.
If your still chaffing after 15 miles, then a bike fit and/or different saddle are the way forward. Do you have a bike shop nearby, go down ther with the bike and get some advice. If nothing else buy the chamois cream from them and start building up a relationship