Butt Hurt
No, I am not talking about NIMBY’s complaining about expanded bicycle infrastructure or having to obey the law this week. I really am talking about saddle soreness.
Saddle soreness is not necessarily the same as saddle sores. Sores come later and are usually the result of sit bones being pinched by padding and perspiration. Using some corn startch or Goldbond type powder in your shorts, before you ride, will help amazingly. I am not a fan of creams and grease. These are like bacteria farms for those of us that ride longer, for multiple days.
In the past, I have addressed the fact that improper bicycle fit plays the most important role in saddle comfort. This week, it has come up twice that some folks are not aware that what they wear makes a big difference too (honest, I thought it was common knowledge).
When you were a kid, you might have, ‘…ridden your bike all day and never got sore.’ What you probably don’t remember accurately is that in that whole day you probably rode less than ten miles. The fact that you now weigh 2-3 times as much, your skin is thinner and more brittle doesn’t help matters any. You just can’t ride around in blue Jean cut-offs, with thickly seamed undergarments, any longer!
You are riding further. You are riding faster and bikes are becoming more of a tool and less of a toy. Those seams will dig into your crotch, thighs and sit bones. When you begin to perspire, it will get worse… a lot worse. No amount of padding is going to help.
Of course, get a proper fitting before doing anything. Make sure your saddle is appropriate to your bike too (fat saddles with flat bars or drops are worse than no saddle). More importantly, find some undergarments that have flat, smooth seams, or at least seams where they do not matter.
I am no fan of cycling specific apparel. Nearly all of it is nothing more than hype. Certainly avoid heavily padded cycling shorts (the very best and still most expensive, have only a thin pirce of chamois leather to reduce friction (like the bibs in the photo). Triathlon shorts have no padding and cost a great deal less (black shorts). A lot of boxer shorts or boxer briefs are practically seamless (if I had any without skid marks I’d show you). I prefer a thong (that visual oughta ruin some Memorial Day feasts)…just kidding. I have though seriously wondered if Depends ought to start a cycling apparel line.
I have had good luck buying used, seamless under garments (white ones abive), but could not tell you if they are still being mfg’d. Leggings & tights are almost universally perfect. They should be a consideration with Fall on the way.
Sure, heavily padded shorts or cushy seats are great for short rides (five miles or less). They aren’t going to help with numbness. Ask any serious, long term, touring cyclist. The further you ride, the less padding you want.