So started cycling again. Yay! To and from work 8 miles each way. Did my first run on Monday and loved it. But obviously not having been "in the saddle" for at least a year my bum today is agony! I know it will get better and used to the saddle. But wondering when I can ride again. I didn't ride today. Hoping to ride tomorrow but the last think i want is to get 4 miles in and be in agony... Hmm what to do.
How long for my butt to heal...
- Thread starter beany_bot
- Start date
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Mrs M
Guru
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
You'll get used to it 
Have you got padded shorts/undershorts?
Have you got padded shorts/undershorts?
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Cycling shorts are you're friend, and a must.
JtB
Prepare a way for the Lord
- Location
- North Hampshire
Which is not saying it will get better.You'll get used to it
jefmcg
Guru
If you have broken skin, then you may need to take a break before getting back on. Let it heal. If it's just bruising, then get back on when you feel ready.
You can feel saddle sore because you haven't ride-fitness, or it could be because it's not the right shape for you. As you get fitter, you will put more weight on your hands and feet, and the saddle will feel better. What is your saddle like?
You can feel saddle sore because you haven't ride-fitness, or it could be because it's not the right shape for you. As you get fitter, you will put more weight on your hands and feet, and the saddle will feel better. What is your saddle like?
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
It's like a lot of things. How long it will be before you can ride is different for everyone. Make sure your saddle is the right height, and the right angle, Make sure you have cycling shorts. If you are not sure, have a test ride first. If you feel all right and you don't have any pain, then you're good to go. .
Profpointy
Legendary Member
For an 8 mile ride to cause you pain the next day I suggest you have a saddle which is either badly adjusted, wrong for you or even a plain bad saddle. Special shorts and all the rest are "a good thing" but not remotely essential, especially for an 8 mile ride. Hey, in my youth I did 30 to 70 mile runs and never dreamed of special shorts. Admittedly I was in agony after my first 40 miler but solved the problem with a brooks saddle and waited another 20+ years before getting cycle shorts. Brooks saddles don't suit everyone but do suit me. Get the saddle sorted first, and only then consider special shorts.
PS 8 miles is about my level too these days after a year lay up
PS 8 miles is about my level too these days after a year lay up
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Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
sudacrem cream is much used by long distance cyclists to prevent soreness and speed up recovery.
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/prod...gclid=COHHrofogs4CFcoaGwodx1UP-w&gclsrc=aw.ds
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/prod...gclid=COHHrofogs4CFcoaGwodx1UP-w&gclsrc=aw.ds
I think I'm very similar after a long time out of the saddle. 2 days off normally is enough but a couple of ibuprofen 40 mins before you start out might just make the difference. I have to push through the pain of the first couple of miles by mile four I would be OK. 6 months on with the same shorts and saddle dozens of miles on back to back days leaves no ill effects to the posterior.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
@Profpointy is right on this. Nappies aren't a must. I ride non-Brooks unpadded (and a Brooks but I need to adjust it)
jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
If it's bruising then just crack on (see what I did there?) if it's chaffing, keep it clean, and take your time...then buy a decent saddle.
Think of saddles as shoes.. The wrong size pinches & hurts, or slips and slaps about.
Get your sit bones measured at your LBS and purchase a saddle from them that fits. It might then need breaking in (as with the shoe analogy,) but it'll be fine eventually.
Crack on, as they say..
Plus, more miles will toughen up the affected area.
Get your sit bones measured at your LBS and purchase a saddle from them that fits. It might then need breaking in (as with the shoe analogy,) but it'll be fine eventually.
Crack on, as they say..
Plus, more miles will toughen up the affected area.
Please ignore this bit of advice. If you're needing painkillers every ride simply in order to get out the door you're doing something wrong. Painkillers are a mask (great for masking the pain of a cut say, until the pain would have naturally gone with healong) they don't address the cause of pain and therefore should only be used sparingly or under expert medical advice.
The best advice is, as others have said, check the saddle fit and type, and reduce friction by wearing proper cycle shorts. In short, address the cause of the pain.
Yeah I have padded cycle shorts. I know the saddle is fine for me because I had cycled 100 miles in it previously with no problems. (when I was acclimatised). Its just because I have been out of the saddle for so long. I know it will get better, just really hoping to cycle tomorrow but still tender. I'll slap some cream on and get back on it tomorrow. I have a padded seat cover thing that I hate usually but might just make the difference in these early stages.
