genital numbness

[Highlander Neil]

I just completed the Etape Caledonia on Sunday, first time cycling in a group, therefore obviously my first sportive, and I can say it was an amazing experience. I managed 4:58, I could have gone faster but started way too far back and held back through fear of feeling the pain at schehallion. Can't wait til next year to shave that time...

Anyway, downside is, it's now Monday night and my penis is still a bit numb. I have padded shorts obviously, gel Altura ones.

What can I do to stop this problem, I don't wan't to hang the bike up, I'm just getting started at this cycling business.

I'm gonna leave the cycling for a week or until I regain full feeling again. Then maybe tilt my seat slightly forward? Any other reccomendations aside from stopping to let the blood flow again, I don't want to stop all the time!

Thanks,

 

[derrick]

What saddle you got.

 

[ColinJ]

Well done on your ride, Neil!

I have had problems with various saddles in my time. There is no point in saying what they were because every body is different and different saddles suit different bodies. You need to find one that suits you.

I have found that small adjustments to saddle angle and position make a big difference to comfort. I need the nose of my saddle ever-so-slightly lower than the back, and I like the saddle pushed forward to make sure that I'm sitting more on the wide back of it than on the narrower bit further forward.

 

[Highlander Neil]

Derrick, see attached. It was a standard Bontrager one that was fitted with my Trek 2010 road bike when I bought it.

Colin, thanks for the info, this is kinda what I was thinking, I think moving it forward and tilting slightly will help, need to fiddle about with it a bit and see if this helps. I can feel the effects about maybe 15 - 20 miles into a ride. Its just a shame I can't try a few different saddles before I buy! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one with this problem at least.

Cheers

 

[Herzog]

I used to experience something similar, albeit not to such an extreme. Since getting a saddle with the central part cut away (Specialized Romin Pro), I'm pleased to report the tingle is back in my dingle (apologies to those who are eating at the moment ).

 

[Highlander Neil]

Thanks for the reccomendation Herzog, How does this actually help, just takes the pressure off the central section (or perenium/gooch)? I think a combination of the suggestions from you and Colin could be the trick.

Cheers

 

[Nearly there]

I got the numb feeling on my new bike but dont now i think my body was getting used to the saddle

 

[S1mon]

If you do for specialized look on there concept store website if you have one near you they will take you in measure your butt sell you a saddle with option to return in 30 days if your not satisfied

 

[Highlander Neil]

Thanks Simon, unfortunately there are none of those stores in Scotland. I will have to look elsewhere.

 

[fossyant]

I've got two saddles that have a cut out. TBH I don't notice any difference from my other saddles. The key point is that they fit your sit bones. For me that means the flatter less padded saddles are best. It could be the saddle is a little over padded.

 

[stumpy66]

I used to have that problem, thne i changed to a charge spoon and i no longer get the numbness, on my tourer with a brooks i slightly lowered the front of the saddle and alls well

 

[Herzog]

How does this actually help, just takes the pressure off the central section (or perenium/gooch)?

Yep, it reduces the amount of compression, allowing the blood to flow more freely.

 

[toroddf]

This, the inability to physically perform a sexual act for several weeks, is actually a pretty big problem in the annual 350 miles long Trondheim - Oslo in Norway. So much that support leaflets has been issued and other support offered.

The cure, according to the doctors who were set to solve this problem, is to vary the seating position during the ride. Basically changing around the cheeks, so to speak. That advice has improved the reproduction of Norwegians, so to speak. Maybe it applies here too.

 

[Highlander Neil]

This, the inability to physically perform a sexual act for several weeks, is actually a pretty big problem in the annual 350 miles long Trondheim - Oslo in Norway. So much that support leaflets has been issued and other support offered.

The cure, according to the doctors who were set to solve this problem, is to vary the seating position during the ride. Basically changing around the cheeks, so to speak. That advice has improved the reproduction of Norwegians, so to speak. Maybe it applies here too.

My problem is not as extreme as this, what you have said above, yes this would have been the case for maybe 24 hours after the cycle, everything works fine now but sensation still has not fully returned (3 days later).

 

[Highlander Neil]

I used to have that problem, thne i changed to a charge spoon and i no longer get the numbness, on my tourer with a brooks i slightly lowered the front of the saddle and alls well

I'm delighted to hear this, as Wiggle are doing the charge spoon for £15 at the moment, and I just purchased it as it was reccomended to me. Also on reflection, most of my weight was on my perenium, so i'll tilt it forward slightly at the front and this should transfer more weight to my sit bones.

I had some advice that I should maybe try and transfer more weight to my handlebars, but to be honest once you are leaning on them, thats about as much weight as you'll ever have on them, (unless maybe you're on the drops? - but then your sit bones are higher up and perenium gets a pounding). Any comments guys?