Tough ride today

[RobWard]

Can I ask, do any of you more experienced riders use any kind of gel or cream for your bum on long rides ? I pushed myself today on my snow plough. Ooops! Raleigh Hybrid I mean, after just 7/8 mile I was really starting to struggle, My wrist were starting to get un-comfy and then my bum. I could not get comfy at all on the seat.

I did a total of 26 miles today but it was a real struggle, maybe its because im still a newbie and very un-fit I don't know. My average speed was just 6mph on some parts of the route and returning home, I was free wheeling on the slopes standing on the pedala for comfort. There was even some parts of the route I was glad to get off and walk. I was so happy to finally get home and showered. Today was a really tough cycle for some reason.

Any pointers would be great. Thanks

The Snow Plough

 

[13 rider]

Are you wearing padded shorts ? . As for the wrists do you grip the bars tight if so relax the grip . Padded mitts may also help or it my just be a case of your body getting use to this cycling lark . That's a good effort any way be wary of doing too much too soon and not enjoying it . Some days are tougher than others

 

[Elybazza61]

What shorts are you wearing and what saddle;all the creams and gels won't help if the shorts and saddle don't see you.Plus your saddle height and your position can also affect things.

 

[RobWard]

What shorts are you wearing and what saddle;all the creams and gels won't help if the shorts and saddle don't see you.Plus your saddle height and your position can also affect things.

I do have padded gel shorts, but today just had my jeans on. I did have a padded gel seat cover as well, but I took that off last week as I found that was giving me more saddle sore than the seat, So now I just use the seat as is.
Gloves I used today were the fingerless cycling gloves. Spent most of the ride resting wrist palms on handle bars.

 

[RobWard]

Basic Seat..

 

[13 rider]

I do have padded gel shorts, but today just had my jeans on. I did have a padded gel seat cover as well, but I took that off last week as I found thatbwaa giving me more saddle sore than the seat, So now I just use the seat as is.
Gloves I used today were the fingerless cycling gloves. Spent most of the ride resting wrist palms on handle bars.

Jeans are perhaps not the best cycling clothing . Try padded shorts with track is bottoms over them or get some padded long tights . You may be putting more pressure on your wrist as your trying to rest your bum . Saddle are a personal thing it looks fine to me general opinion is gel saddles don't work

 

[screenman]

A pair of bar ends would make a huge difference, as for jeans, well you are braver than me wearing things like that for a ride of more than a few miles.

It is better to enjoy a 10 miles bike ride than suffer a 26 mile one when new to cycling, when you were fitter you may get to enjoy the pain of a hard ride, I know I do.

 

[welsh dragon]

I have Changed my saddle for a brooks. One hundred times better than any of the other 3 that I have. Get rid of the gel stuff. Throw it In the bin and don't go out for a ride without wearing padded shorts.

Don't despair. We all have off days. Have a rest day, then have another go. Some days will be good and some will be awful. Take the good with the bad. Take something to drink and don't worry about times, distances. To start with, just get some time in the saddle. Enjoy the ride. The more you ride, the better it will get. Have you considered getting fitted for the right saddle ? Good luck.

 

[JtB]

I don't think you can ever eliminate totally aches and pains. There are things you can do to minimise them as mentioned above, but then it's really down to rule #5.

Well done by the way on extending your distance and thanks for sharing.

 

[RobWard]

Many Thanks! From all replies, some great tips there. I will take on board what you have all mentioned and put it into practice. Many many thanks!

 

[Brandane]

There was even some parts of the route I was glad to get off and walk.

Not obeying your own signature line then?
What angle is your saddle at? It's hard to tell from the photos. It should be level. Nose up and it will hurt your 'llocks; nose down and you will be putting extra weight onto your hands/wrists at the bars.

 

[RobWard]

Not obeying your own signature line then?
What angle is your saddle at? It's hard to tell from the photos. It should be level. Nose up and it will hurt your 'llocks; nose down and you will be putting extra weight onto your hands/wrists at the bars.

Haha! Making me eat my own words. i'll give ya that one Haha!

The saddle is pretty much level. But will check for certain tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

For me 26 miles was the first really memorable distance ride. Partly because of it being marathon distance, which felt good to pass for the first time and partly because I too found it really uncomfortable.

It did get better as the rides got more regular and I built up a tolerance but 40 miles was the absolute limit on my Raleigh's standard saddle.

Saddles are really difficult to recommend due to the personal nature of them. Unless you're lucky you'll need to experiment to find the one that really works. Leather saddles work for me (after breaking in) but don't suit everyone.

I'll give another vote for bar ends. These allow you to vary your hand position which helps a lot on longer rides.

 

[NorthernDave]

Thats a decent distance - I wouldn't fancy doing 26 miles without padded shorts!
If you prefer to wear jeans, you can get padded pants to wear under them.

As for your hands, you only really have one position to hold the bars on a hybrid, where on a bike with drops you have 3 or 4 so can move around and share the load.
I've fitted bar ends on my hybrid and find it helps no end to have a change of position.

 

[Banjo]

Your arse will toughen up with more cycling. jeans are about the worse thing for any distance they have rough sewn seams which could rub you raw.
Sudocrem is good treatment for saddle sores. I find a smear of Vaseline helps on long rides.

Keep at it and good luck.