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long bike issues--help me, gals!
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 2009-08-24 1:16 PM |
Member  22 Marietta, GA |  Subject: long bike issues--help me, gals!I am training for my first half-ironman and need some advice about the bike portion. When I ride longer than about 25 miles, my {ahem} parts get numb and painful during the ride. I don't really have an issue with the sit bones. I am riding with a saddle with a gap (Terry Damselfly) and had the bike re-fitted at my LBS, but still have the problem. Any suggestions? The race is in 5 weeks, so I need a solution ASAP!!! Thanks from a sore sister!
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| 2009-08-24 1:20 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Member 94 Austin, TX | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! No input, just want to say I'm with you, only it happens for me after about 15 miles - not fun! |
| 2009-08-24 1:27 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! sahooper - 2009-08-24 11:16 AM I am training for my first half-ironman and need some advice about the bike portion. When I ride longer than about 25 miles, my {ahem} parts get numb and painful during the ride. I don't really have an issue with the sit bones. I am riding with a saddle with a gap (Terry Damselfly) and had the bike re-fitted at my LBS, but still have the problem. Any suggestions? The race is in 5 weeks, so I need a solution ASAP!!! Thanks from a sore sister!
I've heard good things about the Adamo saddles (some people have to narrow them somewhat with twist ties) and John Cobb has a new saddle that is supposed to be pretty nice as well. John |
| 2009-08-24 1:41 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Expert 815  Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! Saddle issus, sounds like you might have to try a couple to find the "right" one. See if you local bike shop will loan them out to you so you can try them |
| 2009-08-24 1:59 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Expert 692 Boca Raton, FL | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! I have tried over 20 saddles and I feel your pain. I have yet to find a saddle that leaves me completely pain free, however, I am pretty happy with my Selle SMP lite 209. I also have a friend that had major issues forever with her saddle and finally with the Adamo and a pefect fit on her bike, she is totally pain free. I think saddle and fit is what will fix your issue, but the trick is to find the right saddle and fit |
| 2009-08-24 2:11 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
| Expert 626 | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! Ouch. Terry Butterfly works for me. |
| 2009-08-24 2:19 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Member 210 | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! This applies to the {ahem} boys, too. Numbness is caused by lack of circulation. In addition to trying a different saddle, make sure you stand up off the seat every 20-30 minutes to let the circulation flow again. Coming up off the saddle for 15-20 seconds won't slow you down that much, especially if you time it during turns or climbs. It may not prevent the pain, but it will definitely let you ride longer. I just did a 40-miler yesterday, and I had to come off the seat many times during my ride. Good luck at your HIM!  |
| 2009-08-24 2:22 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! Question: How strong is your core? Are you bearing down on your saddle, or is your posture such that you are not bearing down on your saddle? Know what I mean? The stronger your core, the better your posture. The weaker the core, the more you might tend to bear down to try to relieve the stress on your core - especially towards the end of your ride when you start getting tired. |
| 2009-08-24 2:49 PM in reply to: #2367249 |
Veteran 125 West Hartford, CT | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! Renee - 2009-08-24 2:22 PM Question: How strong is your core? Are you bearing down on your saddle, or is your posture such that you are not bearing down on your saddle? Know what I mean? The stronger your core, the better your posture. The weaker the core, the more you might tend to bear down to try to relieve the stress on your core - especially towards the end of your ride when you start getting tired. I would tend to agree with this too. I was getting ALL sorts of pain up to about 3 weeks ago - my husband noticed I was wearing loose shorts over my riding shorts - he told me to take them off and it was an instant relief. So. a) are you in proper riding shorts, seams in the wrong place will create havoc for your lovely. b) I started using body glide, chamois butter, even vaseline and it makes a HUGE difference. I went for 51 miles on Saturday and had no real issues - before the body glide I would be in pain by 20 miles. |
| 2009-08-24 2:52 PM in reply to: #2367340 |
Champion 10018 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! All of the above is great advice, tiny tweaks make a big difference. I found that when I started riding in aerobars most of the time, I needed to downside the chamois. I only ride in my tri shorts now, and keep the more padded cycling shorts for my road bike. That, along with experimenting with seats and angles of seats, did the trick for me. Good luck! |
| 2009-08-24 4:20 PM in reply to: #2367351 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! BikerGrrrl - 2009-08-24 12:52 PM All of the above is great advice, tiny tweaks make a big difference. I found that when I started riding in aerobars most of the time, I needed to downside the chamois. I only ride in my tri shorts now, and keep the more padded cycling shorts for my road bike. That, along with experimenting with seats and angles of seats, did the trick for me. Good luck! Good points! John |
| 2009-08-24 9:04 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
| Extreme Veteran 710 Wilmington, NC | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! You may want to try angling the front of your seat downward? This may help alleviate the pressure at the front?! |
| 2009-08-29 9:05 AM in reply to: #2367007 |
Member 22 Marietta, GA | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! Thanks to ALL of you gals and guys who responded! I'm trying everything but the new saddle on a 50-miler tomorrow. Wish me luck, and I'll let you all know how it comes out! |
| 2009-09-02 1:03 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Member 22 Marietta, GA | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! WOO-HOO!!!!! My training partner (Reno8) and I did a 50-miler this morning and my parts were just fine!!! Thanks for all the great advice: I had the bike shop angle the seat down a notch, wore tri shorts instead of bulkier bike shorts, lubed like crazy, focused on my posture and came off the seat every 5 miles. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I feel confident about the HIM bike segment now. |
| 2009-09-02 1:06 PM in reply to: #2385332 |
| Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! sahooper - 2009-09-02 2:03 PM (snip) wore tri shorts instead of bulkier bike shorts, (snip) It's one of the most difficult things to try to explain this to people and to explain that the more padded the seat the LESS comfortable it's likely to be after a while. I'm glad you're finding out what works for you! |
| 2009-09-02 2:00 PM in reply to: #2385342 |
Expert 790 | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! DanielG - 2009-09-02 1:06 PM sahooper - 2009-09-02 2:03 PM (snip) wore tri shorts instead of bulkier bike shorts, (snip) It's one of the most difficult things to try to explain this to people and to explain that the more padded the seat the LESS comfortable it's likely to be after a while. I'm glad you're finding out what works for you! Daniel, I couldn't agree more. I use my tri shorts for every ride (even rides over 100 miles) now and I am much more comfortable. JP |
| 2009-09-02 6:21 PM in reply to: #2367241 |
| Veteran 148 | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! GregInAustin - 2009-08-24 3:19 PM This applies to the {ahem} boys, too. Numbness is caused by lack of circulation. In addition to trying a different saddle, make sure you stand up off the seat every 20-30 minutes to let the circulation flow again. Coming up off the saddle for 15-20 seconds won't slow you down that much, especially if you time it during turns or climbs. It may not prevent the pain, but it will definitely let you ride longer. I just did a 40-miler yesterday, and I had to come off the seat many times during my ride. Good luck at your HIM!
I found I had the same problem on my HIM- found it was not as bad on a hilly-er course- as not in aero as much as the flater course. Again as above, suggest try and get out of the saddle and re-position... As well- the core- strength idea makes lots of sense- I guess I'd better as well work on my core strength. Best of luck on your HIM! |
| 2009-09-02 7:11 PM in reply to: #2385503 |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! Houstonrider - 2009-09-02 12:00 PM DanielG - 2009-09-02 1:06 PM sahooper - 2009-09-02 2:03 PM (snip) wore tri shorts instead of bulkier bike shorts, (snip) It's one of the most difficult things to try to explain this to people and to explain that the more padded the seat the LESS comfortable it's likely to be after a while. I'm glad you're finding out what works for you! Daniel, I couldn't agree more. I use my tri shorts for every ride (even rides over 100 miles) now and I am much more comfortable. JP
You guys are tough. I couldn't ride 100 miles in tri shorts, but I could in bike shorts.
To the OP: Glad to hear that you were able to work out some of the issues.
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| 2009-09-02 7:53 PM in reply to: #2367007 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: long bike issues--help me, gals! I have ridden I think 6 different saddles since '04. I have used Terry Tri Butterfly and the newer Terry Zero both I had issues like you shared...not that big of a cut out and to much padding. If you ride in aero your pelvis rolls forward and your women parts get smooched to some degree even if you are sitting on your sitz bones. I ride a SMP Glider saddle that has a super large cut out so your lady parts don't touch the seat at all...takes a little getting used to but honestly no longer is my bum the issue as to how long I ride but my desire and legs. They come in different widths. Last year I rode the pro but found it rubbed where my bum and leg met this one is a bit narrower and fits that area better. My husband now rides my old Pro and finds it good. Best thing for saddles is find a shop that has loaner ones you can try or has a try it and return for another policy. No reason to buy one and then another and another..it can get expensive. The jam for you is your race is soon and changing things now can be a disaster. Chamois butt'r are you using? Just for example: I have an issue with my foot going to sleep and then extreme painful if riding 4+ hours and it's hot. I got new orthotics to deal with it but they came late so I didn't have a chance to break them in and see if they helped and how my body adapted. I opted to not try them and potentially ruin my A race IM Canada. I also wore out my ultegra pedals and ordered new ones that seems stiff so I didn't use them but instead my cheap 105s I've used for years...nothing new on race day. |
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