New cyclist: my butt hurts

[brewer12345]

We moved a house that backs up to something like 100 miles of trails. I bought a bike last weekend and am having fun, but i find that, um, seat pain can be an issue. Am I doing something wrong? Will I just develop calluses in a while?

 

[Midpack]

Make sure your seat height and position is right, may be a factor. Any bike shop can help, but you can get guidance online.

There are seats with gel built into them that make it a little more comfortable, but in my experience it just takes a little time to get used to any bike seat, a few weeks at worst...

 

[HFWR]

Seat height, and seat angle, are factors. Make sure you're sitting on your tailbone, and not more "sensitive" areas...

Maybe some padded bike shorts, or a gel seat, but I find the extra padding, while helpful, may also lead to reduced blood flow to the aforementioned areas. Dropping the nose on my seat helped me.

 

[Meadbh]

We moved a house that backs up to something like 100 miles of trails. I bought a bike last weekend and am having fun, but i find that, um, seat pain can be an issue. Am I doing something wrong? Will I just develop calluses in a while?

We don't have enough information to do an analysis. Is the seat too high? Angle wrong? Do you have the right type of tires for mountain biking? Is the tire pressure correct? Is your behind as soft as a baby's bottom?

 

[donheff]

Spandex Brewer, spandex - high quality shorts with good pads make a huge difference. And you don't want a cushy seat unless you are just going for short rides. Also, ask someone who knows bikes to help you make sure your seat height and setback are correct.

 

[Tigger]

When I started cycling again, after not having done that for some years, I had the same issue. It went away after one or two weeks. So I wouldn't panic.

 

[TromboneAl]

A Comfortable Saddle

 

[Nemo2]

A Great Saddle

 

[WM]

Don't know anything about it firsthand, but there was an article recently in the NY Times about noseless saddles (bike seats) that are supposedly better for you.

 

[Tigger]

Not entirely related, but I'm seeing it all over the web this week...

 

[HFWR]

Not entirely related, but I'm seeing it all over the web this week...

+1000

 

[brewer12345]

Thanks. It is possible I am just not seasoned enough. The seat height is right, so I will tinker a bit with position and handlebar height Plus I will see if it goes away with more conditioning.

 

[Bestwifeever]

On the other hand, Tigger, speaking of happy bike seats (and lots more skin): Yahoo! Image Detail for - http://scienceblogs.com/neurotopia/lance-armstrong-bike.jpg

 

[aaronc879]

Thanks. It is possible I am just not seasoned enough. The seat height is right, so I will tinker a bit with position and handlebar height Plus I will see if it goes away with more conditioning.

You don't mention if your wearing padded shorts? I wouldn't ride a bike without them...all the difference in the world! If you don't think you should be seen in spandex, as I most certainly should not, you can wear polyester basketball shorts over the bike shorts. That's what I do. It's comfortable on the backside and not too warm.

 

[arebelspy]

When I started cycling again, after not having done that for some years, I had the same issue. It went away after one or two weeks. So I wouldn't panic.

+1

Before you go spend a bunch of money on a new hobby you might not keep up and on stuff that may be unnecessary (padded seat, special shorts, etc) try getting used to it. Your body will adjust.

Has happened to me recently, and again after I took a break for a few weeks, then biked again, but adjustment was a day the second time, not a week. Like when you haven't worked out in awhile.

I'd imagine your legs were sore too, that'll (mostly) go away too.

 

[TromboneAl]

And in case you didn't know, one does NOT wear underwear with padded shorts.

After my 2-month layoff after my bike crash, it took me six rides and 150 miles before the seat was comfortable again.

 

[MikeD]

As a person who knows nothing about exercise from experience, let me add that I have heard that you are not supposed to wear bluejeans type pants whilst bike riding due to the large seam pressing against an important blood vessel.

Mike D.

 

[arebelspy]

As a person who knows nothing about exercise from experience, let me add that I have heard that you are not supposed to wear bluejeans type pants whilst bike riding due to the large seam pressing against an important blood vessel.

Mike D.

Probably depends on how tight the jeans you wear are.

 

[brewer12345]

After reading all your comments and Al's linked article, I adjusted my seat so that it tilts forward more and the contact points are the bones in my ass rather than the soft bits to the fore. DW and I went on a date last night that included about 10 miles of trails (along with dinner, margaritas and lovely scenery) and what is mostly sore today is my legs. Thanks for the tips.

 

[harley]

As a person who knows nothing about exercise from experience, let me add that I have heard that you are not supposed to wear bluejeans type pants whilst bike riding due to the large seam pressing against an important blood vessel.

Mike D.

Is this what causes extreme numbness in the lower frontal region? I have such a problem with this that I don't ride very far at all. But I'm always wearing jeans. I don't do long rides, just little neighborhood jaunts, I'd feel like a fool in spandex.

 

[rescueme]

...I went on a date last night that included about 10 miles of trails...

Sorry; regardless of dinner, I think you're cheap (frugal?) ...

Now if it was a limo to the movies/opera along with the dinner, well that's a different thing...

I would never ask my date to "peddle her a**", just to get a meal ...

 

[TromboneAl]

Is this what causes extreme numbness in the lower frontal region? I have such a problem with this that I don't ride very far at all. But I'm always wearing jeans. I don't do long rides, just little neighborhood jaunts, I'd feel like a fool in spandex.

The shape of the seat is the most important thing, and you can numbness even with spandex. I don't take any chances, and use a saddle that is cutaway in the middle. Those are readily available.

 

[TromboneAl]

This is mine. Also, cushy saddles can be worse in this regard, because you sink down resulting in more pressure in the middle.

 

[REWahoo]

Al, your seat looks familiar...

 

[martyb]

+100,000,000! ;d

not entirely related, but i'm seeing it all over the web this week...