Newbie Saddle Soreness

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tcdev
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Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby tcdev » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:29 pm

Had a bit of a poke around here but can't find much information (or anecdotal evidence) on the subject.

I was just wondering how long I can expect to be 'saddle sore' when starting out riding after 20+ years out of the saddle?

This morning I did my 3rd ride. The first ride was probably just short of an hour, the 2nd closer to 1/2 hr, and today I decided to bite the bullet and do a 90 min ride. I stopped at the half-way point for a 2 min rest and to take in the scenery (Cooks River, General Holmes Drive). When I got back on the bike to head back - OH BOY! For the first 10 mins or so I was wondering how I was going to get through another 45 mins of riding - OUCH! Really took the shine off an otherwise fun morning!
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WarbyD
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby WarbyD » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:31 pm

Took me a week or two from memory for the saddle soreness to become a non-issue.

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby reefer » Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:23 pm

Took me a few weeks and a few years later when I changed my saddle to a SMP, a further week.
3-4 hour rides are no problem now. I use cream for any ride over 2 hours and for most rides in summer due to the humidity.

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biker jk
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby biker jk » Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:15 pm

The nether region does toughen up the more you ride. Still, if the saddle doesn't fit your sit bone width or your chamois is too thin, then longer rides are going to be painful.

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby SuperSix » Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:21 pm

Expect about 3 or 4 weeks of pain if you're riding 2 or 3 times a week. When I started I had days when it felt like I was sitting on 2 golf balls. Ouch!
But it does go away.

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby lobstermash » Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:26 pm

Yep, couple of weeks. If you still get sore after that time, check your bike fit. If it's still sore after a month, you'll probably need a different saddle. If it's still sore after a couple of weeks with the new saddle, buy a recumbent...
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby tcdev » Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:54 pm

Thanks for the feedback. A chamois - yeah, maybe I should look into that! :wink:
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby tcdev » Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:32 pm

Hmm... it's not easy to find MTB baggies in my size... found a pair I like the look of, only to discover they don't make anywhere near my size. :cry:

And upon closer inspection, the range is very much reduced in any brand/style.
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foo on patrol
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby foo on patrol » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:34 am

Metho is your friend. :twisted:

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby greyhoundtom » Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:08 am

foo on patrol wrote:Metho is your friend. :twisted:

Foo
Too soft .................. Formaldehyde does a better job. :lol:

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KGB
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby KGB » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:33 am

Consider something like netti undi-nix or whatever they call them. I have some dhb ones from wiggle and they're handy for commuting with shorts over the top.
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MattyK
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby MattyK » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:44 am

KGB wrote: I have some dhb ones from wiggle and they're handy for commuting with shorts over the top.
I have some too, they are terrible in comparison to proper cycling knicks. Minimal padding, they bunch up and chafe badly. Consigned to the back of the wardrobe now.

Get some proper high quality lycra gear with good high density padding; if you're too embarrassed (we all start out there) then throw a pair of loose baggy shorts over them.

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby WarbyD » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:50 am

tcdev wrote:Hmm... it's not easy to find MTB baggies in my size... found a pair I like the look of, only to discover they don't make anywhere near my size. :cry:

And upon closer inspection, the range is very much reduced in any brand/style.
I've found that it is very hard to find MTB baggies in anything bigger than XL, especially locally. Best bet is have a look at international sites.. Also, I have found it much easier to buy bib knicks in larger sizes and wear these under whatever shorts I prefer (usually board shorts, or I have a couple of 3/4 length mtb shorts without liners).

It's worth having a look at aliexpress.com if you want to buy bigger gear cheap cheap - especially if you are losing weight and don't want to invest $100/pr in knicks that you are hoping will be too big for you in a few months time. I have 3 pairs of bib knicks, a pair of oakley knockoff sunnies (which came with 5 lenses, a hard case, cleaning kit and a couple other items.. for under $20), a jacket and a vest from aliexpress and and I'm happy with all of them. (total cost for all of this was around $80 delivered)

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby sogood » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:29 am

tcdev wrote:I was just wondering how long I can expect to be 'saddle sore' when starting out riding after 20+ years out of the saddle?
...
- OUCH! Really took the shine off an otherwise fun morning!
That's no saddle sore, this is saddle sore!
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Seriously. Saddle sore is typically there to indicate the development of an infection, an abscess or worse. Your saddle discomfort will resolve quickly once your butt get accustomed to the saddle. Also important, remember to regularly stand up to permit blood flow down there. If you don't, the next step will be saddle induced pudendal neuralgia. Guys really don't want that to happen!
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foo on patrol
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby foo on patrol » Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:15 pm

greyhoundtom wrote:
foo on patrol wrote:Metho is your friend. :twisted:

Foo
Too soft .................. Formaldehyde does a better job. :lol:
I don't think he wants to preserve it for prosterity. :lol:

Foo
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tcdev
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby tcdev » Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:42 pm

Thanks again for the tips guys, will definitely look into this!
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rpmspinman
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby rpmspinman » Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:47 pm

Look into some chamois cream. It's your bums best friend when you ride. Stops chaffing and also helps heal up any wounds.
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Mulger bill
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby Mulger bill » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:14 pm

Seventeen posts in and no one has mentioned the magic word yet :?
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
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rodneycc
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby rodneycc » Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:59 pm

Brooks?
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Mulger bill
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby Mulger bill » Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:25 pm

rodneycc wrote:Brooks?
:D
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

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outnabike
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby outnabike » Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:02 am

rodneycc wrote:Brooks?
Seriously , not every one has the time to stop and dip their bum in a stream..... :)
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tcdev
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby tcdev » Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:27 pm

Brooks? Whoosh! :(
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DaveQB
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby DaveQB » Fri Jul 25, 2014 2:51 pm

Getting the right saddle is the next most important item after getting some knicks.

I went through a few to get the right one and now I seem to never get sore at all. (SMP Selle Stratos, I have narrow sit bones)
Measure your sit bones by sitting on paper or cardboard and measuring the distance between the two main indentations. I did it about 10 times to get an average and found I am in the small range (although I am 182cm and 90kg). Anyone I can go on, but look at the saddle size, made a massive difference going from the SMP Selle Lite109 (Wide) to the SMP Selle Stratos (Narrow) for me, for example.

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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby tcdev » Mon Jul 28, 2014 12:42 pm

Shall do, thanks. I suspect I'm on the wider side; 3rd ride 20km+ and still not enjoying it yet... :(
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Re: Newbie Saddle Soreness

Postby cp123 » Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:05 pm

it won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

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