Does your bum get used to distance?

[2Loose]

Last year I did a (very) few longish rides and my bum started to ache after about 50-60 miles each time. There was a few months between each big ride.

I have a few more regular rides planned this year and wonder, if I put the practice miles in, perhaps a few 40 milers, would my bum get more used to this distance, or is it trying to tell me that my saddle is only good for that far and I need another if I am to do a comfortable century?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

A few points.

Yes your bum does become acclimatised to longer rides or at least the pain gets less.

You may have a crap saddle. What saddle is on the bike?

Avoid gel covers as these move around and make cylcling more difficult.

Also try padded shorts if you are not already using them.

Last year I did a (very) few longish rides and my bum started to ache after about 50-60 miles each time. There was a few months between each big ride.

I have a few more regular rides planned this year and wonder, if I put the practice miles in, perhaps a few 40 milers, would my bum get more used to this distance, or is it trying to tell me that my saddle is only good for that far and I need another if I am to do a comfortable century?

 

[Bimble]

I changed the gel one that came with my bike because it was okay for short rides to work and that but made my legs/bum sore when I did a longer rides.

I got a Pave one which is better.

 

[HLaB]

Your rear end does get use to a good saddle but it'll never get used to a bad one!

 

[Moodyman]

2Loose - you riding the Giant saddle that came stock with the Defy 2?

I found it acceptable for the first hour.

After, that it started niggling. After 3 hours it started to hurt and I would constantly shift around on the seat.

I swapped it for the Brooks B17 from my commuter.

The Giant saddle is perfectly fine for an hour's commute. The Brooks has been lovely for several 5-6 hours rides.

 

[cadseen]

I just go for the superlight versions

So happens they are comfortable for me.

 

[jay clock]

Yes. One reason is that like wearing new shoes, you break yourself in! The other one is that the less fit (or more tired) you are, the more your bum is slumped hard on the saddle. When fresh you spread the weight more around hands feet and bum.

So getting fitter helps a lot.

Do try different saddles. I am no fan of narrow blades of plastic and use the lightly padded (and well reviewed) Charge Spoon

I was thinking about this whole subject the other day: the less miles people do the more they seem to have comfort issues. So do more cycling!

Jay

 

[2Loose]

@Moodyman, it is the standard Defy 2 saddle, but it does for between 50-60miles before it gets uncomfortable and then it makes up for it. Device of torture it is.

I'll get myself another Rolls at the end of the month. It may have been 20 years ago but I remember it being hard as concrete for a few miles, then Cambridge to Gillingham as if I hadn't ridden it less than a month later.

I can't be a Brooks man...I may be greying but I really can't. Not yet.

 

[asterix]

Once I tried a Rolls, then I went back to the Brooks. Concrete was how I found it.

When I do my sportive I'll be riding a steel bike with mudguards, a Brooks and perhaps a Carradice saddle bag not just to wind some people up but because the weather at the top of the hills might be very different to what it's like in the valleys. I think I have time to also grow a beard.

I ain't proud!