saddle sore ! now I'm peed off

[Mike S]

As per title I have fallen victim to a bloody saddle sore bad enough on its own but due to my nerve damage after breaking my pelvis I didn't even feel it and now it's gone beyond a quick fix,to say I'm pi###d off is an understatement, I've just got my early mornings up to 20 miles and now I'm going to have to have some time off.So how do you guys deal with this,I already wear padded shorts ,keep them clean etc.I intend buying another seat can anybody recommend one ?I've read about creams that you apply before riding ,do these work and which one do you recomend, tia ☺

 

[DCLane]

Chamois cream works well, applied directly to the skin; I make my own from E45 substitute, Sudocrem and tea tree oil.

 

[Fubar]

As per title I have fallen victim to a bloody saddle sore bad enough on its own but due to my nerve damage after breaking my pelvis I didn't even feel it and now it's gone beyond a quick fix,to say I'm pi###d off is an understatement, I've just got my early mornings up to 20 miles and now I'm going to have to have some time off.So how do you guys deal with this,I already wear padded shorts ,keep them clean etc.I intend buying another seat can anybody recommend one ?I've read about creams that you apply before riding ,do these work and which one do you recomend, tia ☺

Lots to choose from though Sudocrem is my lube of choice - good for resolving skin issues post ride too. Without cream the pads can rub, especially if wet.

Some people apply cream directly to the pad, I prefer to apply direct onto the skin before each ride.

 

[Katherine]

Sorry to hear that.
If you didn't feel it, then maybe you didn't feel uncomfortable enough to have a wriggle on the saddle, change position often enough ie. lean forward, sit up etc. Also, you need to stand up a little every now and then to relieve any pressure. All things we do without thinking.
Hope it heals soon.

 

[coffeejo]

I'm prone to sores and have recently started using Udderly Smooth chamois cream instead of sudocrem and cannot get over the difference it's made, especially on longer rides. I've also bought some new shorts, which I'll be testing out today. I suspect that this will need to be an annual thing for me and mid-range shorts. Can't comment on the expensive brands as I can't afford them!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Get thee to nearest agricultural supply company, huge bucket of udder cream for a fraction of the cost of any "cycling" creams - and they have all the same tingly qualities of tea tree etc as well...

And MTFU

 

[Mike S]

Thanks for the replys folks ,I'll give your suggestions a try.I use sudocreme already for other things so I'll give it a whirl.I've realised that this has coincided with me removing a gel seat cover I had fitted,it was coming loose and moving about so about a week ago I removed it it will be going back on in a couple of days when I get back on.I'm so annoyed as weight is dropping off,my blood pressure is near normal for the first time in 10 years and my fitness levels have improved way way beyond what I thought possible

 

[ScotiaLass]

Ouch that sounds painful.
I've had irritation before but never a proper sore. With me it depends on the shorts I'm wearing I think.
I use chamois cream too, (Udderly Smooth) directly to the skin.
Hope you feel better soon!

 

[jefmcg]

Time off the bike is probably necessary. I've had a proper saddle sore once, and it didn't go away until I had a crash that stopped me commuting for a couple of weeks.

Conventional wisdom says gel seats cause saddle sores, but you should go with what works for you.

 

[vickster]

Have you been to the doctor, you don't want it getting infected

 

[helston90]

I also use Udderly Smooth chamois cream (it was on offer and the assos stuff that I had previously wasn't) and that helps a lot.
Do you have quality shorts? I know you said you had padded ones but the different between some Aldi padded ones and some properly designed ones with a quality pad will be amazing.
A good starting place for the saddle is the Charge Spoon from my own and lots of peoples experience- see if it works and at £20 you can sell it on for a good price without loosing too much if it doesn't, alternatively Specialized have an 'ass-o-meter' to work out exactly the size/ shape saddle works for you or your LBS probably has loan saddles for you to try before you buy.

Good luck.

 

[jonny jeez]

Narrow, hard seat...don't go for anything spongey or comfy looking.

As above with all the creams and potions...and then....ride until your body gets accustomed but take regular breaks to allow healing whenever symptoms begin to show.

 

[Gravity Aided]

'Nuff said.

 

[helston90]

^I was getting concerned then when I saw someone had attached a file to this thread

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I'd not suffered with anything sore wise before this year, then spring time I kept getting a pair of small sores (nothing to write home about) that corresponded pretty much exactly with my sit bones. It was almost definitely a combination of putting on a bit of weight and wet bib tights. They've hung around as uncomfortable spots for ages (occasionally going for a bit then returning after the next few rainy days) I'm kind of hoping changing to summer bibs (which has taken me truly forever this year) and less wet days will sort it, although I'm also using cream at the moment as I have some (again I think the udder stuff because it was on sale at Wiggle/CRC) although had rarely used it as it had never been a thing.

Good luck with it, hope you can get on the bike again soon.

Oh, I ride a specialized Romin Elite saddle (on both bikes) which has some gel inserts and the like. I did the assometer thing at my local shop and worked on things from there. You can't imagine how much difference in comfort the right saddle for you makes until you've sat on it.