MFP Cycling Club

Panda86

Anyone know how I can keep my butt from getting INSANELY sore from riding :blushing: ? It's killing me! I've heard people say that you'll get used to it, but really?

I have a men's citypaver style bike. That means the handle bars are up in a "u" shape and most of my weight is on my seat. (yet my fingers still get numb.) My seat was killing me too. I have not purchased shorts with chamois yet, but will. I went to my local store and bought a memory foam seat cover. (temp fix) That helped greatly. And I am glad to say that after about one month of cycling with almost 400 miles behind my behind :laugh: That my rear is not sore anymore. I used to dread any small bumb in the road. But after 2 and 1/2 hours I do still get tired.

Hope that helps, but if your seat is not anatomically kind to you, then you may have to check into another seat.

Thanks for the input I saw a squishy seat cover at the hardware store, and my husband thought that might be a good temporary fix, so maybe I will look into that. @StuAblett- The seat I have is the one that came with my mountain bike, which is just an old Huffy. And I think the handle bars are down as far as they will go... But when I get my road bike, which I will be using for long distance rides, I will make sure I get a nice saddle. And maybe I will pick up a pair of padded shorts. I know some people say not to use them and just let your bum get used to it, but dang, my bum really hurts after a while!

StuAblett

Anyone know how I can keep my butt from getting INSANELY sore from riding :blushing: ? It's killing me! I've heard people say that you'll get used to it, but really?

I have a men's citypaver style bike. That means the handle bars are up in a "u" shape and most of my weight is on my seat. (yet my fingers still get numb.) My seat was killing me too. I have not purchased shorts with chamois yet, but will. I went to my local store and bought a memory foam seat cover. (temp fix) That helped greatly. And I am glad to say that after about one month of cycling with almost 400 miles behind my behind :laugh: That my rear is not sore anymore. I used to dread any small bumb in the road. But after 2 and 1/2 hours I do still get tired.

Hope that helps, but if your seat is not anatomically kind to you, then you may have to check into another seat.

Thanks for the input I saw a squishy seat cover at the hardware store, and my husband thought that might be a good temporary fix, so maybe I will look into that. @StuAblett- The seat I have is the one that came with my mountain bike, which is just an old Huffy. And I think the handle bars are down as far as they will go... But when I get my road bike, which I will be using for long distance rides, I will make sure I get a nice saddle. And maybe I will pick up a pair of padded shorts. I know some people say not to use them and just let your bum get used to it, but dang, my bum really hurts after a while!

This is the seat I have....


Speed Defies Gravity (SDG) Formula MT
I really find it comfortable

skywalker

Anyone know how I can keep my butt from getting INSANELY sore from riding :blushing: ? It's killing me! I've heard people say that you'll get used to it, but really?

I have a men's citypaver style bike. That means the handle bars are up in a "u" shape and most of my weight is on my seat. (yet my fingers still get numb.) My seat was killing me too. I have not purchased shorts with chamois yet, but will. I went to my local store and bought a memory foam seat cover. (temp fix) That helped greatly. And I am glad to say that after about one month of cycling with almost 400 miles behind my behind :laugh: That my rear is not sore anymore. I used to dread any small bumb in the road. But after 2 and 1/2 hours I do still get tired.

Hope that helps, but if your seat is not anatomically kind to you, then you may have to check into another seat.

Thanks for the input I saw a squishy seat cover at the hardware store, and my husband thought that might be a good temporary fix, so maybe I will look into that. @StuAblett- The seat I have is the one that came with my mountain bike, which is just an old Huffy. And I think the handle bars are down as far as they will go... But when I get my road bike, which I will be using for long distance rides, I will make sure I get a nice saddle. And maybe I will pick up a pair of padded shorts. I know some people say not to use them and just let your bum get used to it, but dang, my bum really hurts after a while!

I can't stress enough the difference a women's specific seat makes. Years ago I tried the squishy seat cover you're talking about and found no relief in that. My seat is a Lithia by Specialized. It has a cut-away though the center that really relieves pressure. Also, it's slightly wider than a men's seat since women generally have a wider pelvis. However the seats that are too wide can cause other pressure points. Definitely invest in the shorts too (again women's specific). They really make a difference. I'm going to attempt to add some photos of my seat. I've never done this before, so I hope it works...

Aarrrg! It didn't work. Let me see what I can do...

skywalker

Trying again...



YAY!!! It worked!!! I also put a few pics in my profile if you view my photos. :happy:

StuAblett

Skywalker, thanks for that, and there you go, my knowledge is 20 years out of date, I did not know they have gender specific seats :blushing: I mean it makes sense, we are build different.

@panda86, you should NOT be "Insanely sore" after your ride, you are riding more than enough to have gotten used to your saddle by now, it really does sound like you need a new saddle, and the nice thing about buying a new saddle is that if/when you upgrade your bike, you can take your saddle with you! Just hang onto the old saddle so the next owner can have the bike with a saddle :happy:

I googled this and found this link.....

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bicycleseats.html

.... good info for sure.

skywalker

@panda86, you should NOT be "Insanely sore" after your ride, you are riding more than enough to have gotten used to your saddle by now, it really does sound like you need a new saddle, and the nice thing about buying a new saddle is that if/when you upgrade your bike, you can take your saddle with you! Just hang onto the old saddle so the next owner can have the bike with a saddle :happy:

Agreed! :drinker: I spent 4 and 1/2 hours on my bike on sunday and honestly, have absolutely no soreness from my saddle. I mean ZERO. It's normal to have some soreness when you first start a riding regimen, but that should pass quickly. I also agree with Stu about keeping the old saddle. I still have mine in case I ever sell.

pinkgigi

I have a little bit of input into the seat question. All suggestions here about having a female-specific saddle are great. Also, don't be lulled into thinking the squishier the better. You need a saddle that supports your sit-bones, anything that lets those sink too far into the padding lets the soft, delicate parts of your anatomy have too much contact with the saddle.

I concur that your bits need to get used to the constant pressure. If I'm off my bike for any more than 3 weeks, I'm in agony for a week until the soft bits harden up again. I'm envious of people who never have any trouble. BTW I have a Selle Italia gel flow in pink!

Did 60 kms on Sat, and 28 kms on Monday, the rest of the week is going to be very ordinary weather-wise, and this Sat is out, so I'm a piker this week. Will be gyming it instead.

GG

StuAblett

Today started out with rain, and more rain, I was really thinking I would not get a ride in, then around 3 PM it cleared up, and I could do my deliveries by bike, yeah!

In the end, there were few deliveries, so almost no miles, then, I got a call from our once a month customer that lives quite far, and between him and us is a very steep hill valley of sorts, if you can have a valley in a city :huh: This is one customer that I was still using the scooter for doing the delivery, as he also orders 10 1.8 liter glass bottles of sake, that is a total of 32 Kg/70lbs.

Eight weeks ago when I started this, I was thinking that "Someday" when I get in a lot better shape and drop a bunch of weight, I'll do this delivery on the bicycle too, but I really thought that was a long way off, well, I'm happy to say, I was wrong!

Today, was "Someday" :bigsmile:



Here is the bike and trailer ready for the long haul

The trailer weighs another 20 Kg or so, it was lighter, but then I changed the wheels to ones with brakes and added some other stuff, even the bigger tires and foam mat in the bottom add weight, so really I was dragging about 55Kg/120 lbs behind me :noway: geez what am I nuts

The trip was 5.6 Km/3.5 miles one way, so a total of just over 11 Km/7 miles, I averaged 14.9 Km/h or 9.25 mph, I'm pleased with that to say the least.

There is one killer hill on the way there, up, up and up, I clocked it, almost a kilometer long, or almost 1100 yards, it starts out fairly mild and then builds to the upper part is just killer, I really did think that I would have to stop and get off and push, but all I can say is "Thank GOD for my granny gear!" :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

By the time I got to the top, I have to admit, I was looking on the ground to see if I'd coughed up a lung, but I made it!! Whoo Whoo!!

This seemed like a very far away goal a short time ago, but I can say that my fitness has improved a lot in the last 8 weeks, as well as dropping the 29 pounds.

Personal milestone met and passed!

Not bad for a fat guy on an old mountain bike I figure! :drinker:

Pinch me, I'm living a dream! :laugh:

LisaKC

Hope someone gets in some good riding today, as it won't be me. We had planned to ride, but between the cycling and C25K, my legs are just beat. I've got C25K tomorrow, so maybe will ride on Friday and on the weekend.

RMX82

Just dusted off my Trek mountain bike that I've only used once since purchasing it. I'd like to start getting into cycling. I don't know enough about my cycling abilities to make a mileage goal yet, but I'll be able to come up with something after a few times riding. First ride will be over lunch today. I'm going to shoot for 3 miles, but I don't know how hard/easy that will be for me.

StuAblett

Welcome RMX982!

Congrats on getting back on your bike, my first suggestion would be to make sure you have a helmet and some gloves, my second one is to go out and enjoy yourself :bigsmile:

Jax67

Personal milestone met and passed!

Not bad for a fat guy on an old mountain bike I figure! :drinker:

Pinch me, I'm living a dream! :laugh:

Fantastic!! Well done on beating that hill :drinker:

I still struggle majorly on hills but then my bike is a cheapy and the gears are rubbish lol

Should be getting a beautiful new one in the next couple of weeks :happy:

Keep on keeping on x

shari253

I'm excited and a bit scared to be joining your cycling club. I'm a 56 yr old female who is about 35 - 50 lbs overweight and definitely out of shape. I joined this site yesterday after seeing the Today Show segment, and have already formed a Today Show club here for similar new joinees.

My husband would really like us to get into cycling. A couple years ago we did quite a bit (for us, lol) and it was pleasant. I'm hoping a club like this will get me motivated. I need to get into better shape before my DH and I start riding together. I'm pretty wimpy and he is not. Also, I'm afraid of roads with cars. Most of our riding has been on carless paved trails.

I need to set a goal. Today I will do 15 mins on the stationary bike to start getting in shape. Tomorrow I will get my bike out and make sure everything works. Then the next day (Thursday) I will take my bike for a spin. I will report back each day.

Shari.

dinos

@dinos, Didn't realize until now you were also doing C25K. I finished week5, day2 this morning.

Lisa, I'm in week 7 now. It's just non-stop running, no intervals anymore. All I can say is that I manage to run the distances required, but I'm not enamored with running. It is a lot harder than cycling because you have to keep your heart beat much higher and you don't get the chances that the bicycle gives you to slow down and take a break. It is very effective though, so I keep doing it.

StuAblett

I'm excited and a bit scared to be joining your cycling club. I'm a 56 yr old female who is about 35 - 50 lbs overweight and definitely out of shape. I joined this site yesterday after seeing the Today Show segment, and have already formed a Today Show club here for similar new joinees.

My husband would really like us to get into cycling. A couple years ago we did quite a bit (for us, lol) and it was pleasant. I'm hoping a club like this will get me motivated. I need to get into better shape before my DH and I start riding together. I'm pretty wimpy and he is not. Also, I'm afraid of roads with cars. Most of our riding has been on carless paved trails.

I need to set a goal. Today I will do 15 mins on the stationary bike to start getting in shape. Tomorrow I will get my bike out and make sure everything works. Then the next day (Thursday) I will take my bike for a spin. I will report back each day.

Shari.

Welcome Shari!

Make sure you have fun on the bike, that is paramount, if it is NOT fun, you won't be doing it for long, and please, wear a helmet!

pinkgigi

Congratulations Stu, that is a very impressive effort. How good is it when you finally reach a goal?
GG

LisaKC

@dinos, When I was in college, I used to run about 5 miles a day, and continued that until after grad school. Unfortunately, I eventually ended up with recurring ankle and shin issues, and about 10 years ago, my doctor advised me to stop running altogether, which I did. I'm running in a pair of Vibram 5 fingers shoes now, and it's the first time I've been able to run in what seems like a million years. I agree it's harder, but just grateful it's still an option for me. No injuries for now, but keeping my fingers crossed.

tipusnr

Rode with a crew that was training for Pelotonia and got my highest average speed ever at 16.6 mph over almost 23 miles with two good hill climbs and some rollers!

I don't normally do sprints and am NOT comfortable in pace lines but my regular ride buddies were no shows. These four young men from a local insurance company were out training for the upcoming Pelotonia ride and invited me to join them. It seemed like a better idea than going out alone or trailering up without riding so I went with them. At one point we were travelling at over 31 mph (downhill) but I was concentrating on keeping my leg speed up and didn't notice it until the ride was over.

Rain had just come through about an hour before but the 87 degree temp dried the roads quickly and the 73% humidity took it's toll as well. I'm NOT looking forward to tomorrow morning.

The only negative is that the noise from around the pedal and crank is getting louder and more frequent under power. Everything is tight but, I fear the problem may be in the bearing inside the crankset. I have one more ride tomorrow night and then I can take it to the shop. I hope they can have it fixed by the weekend.

skywalker

Just dusted off my Trek mountain bike that I've only used once since purchasing it. I'd like to start getting into cycling. I don't know enough about my cycling abilities to make a mileage goal yet, but I'll be able to come up with something after a few times riding. First ride will be over lunch today. I'm going to shoot for 3 miles, but I don't know how hard/easy that will be for me.

Good for you! Welcome! :drinker:

skywalker

I'm excited and a bit scared to be joining your cycling club. I'm a 56 yr old female who is about 35 - 50 lbs overweight and definitely out of shape. I joined this site yesterday after seeing the Today Show segment, and have already formed a Today Show club here for similar new joinees.

Shari.

Don't be scared. We're all here to support you! Welcome!!! :drinker:

StuAblett

I've been eying some cycling clothes, as it is now I'm just doing all of this in my Carhart T-shirts and shorts, they are all cotton and when they get soaked with sweat they weigh a ton, and are not very comfortable at all.

I have not dropped 30 pounds, so i celebration, I got the go ahead to buy some real cycling clothing, it is all Mountain Bike stuff, which is looser fitting, no Spandex for me thank you, I got to watch it here in Japan, they still harpoon whales you know.......

I know from past experience, getting the right shorts and jerseys will make riding much more comfortable.

Cheers!

tipusnr

I got to watch it here in Japan, they still harpoon whales you know.......

You are truly a joy and I so enjoy your postings! Keep up the good work, both on the biking and the posting!!

StuAblett

Thanks tipusnr, I do try to entertain myself, so it is just that much better if I'm entertaining others, I hope to helpful some times too!

Everyone, please keep posting about your rides etc, as they are an inspiration to me to keep at it!

roughneckswife

I def. want to join!! It's kinda scary though LOL! I usually ride bikes with my kids late in the evening, usually only 2-3 miles a day. Once or twice a week. So I would def. like to bump that up to 1 mile at LEAST 3 times per week to start with and eventually 4 or 5 a day!!

skywalker

I def. want to join!! It's kinda scary though LOL! I usually ride bikes with my kids late in the evening, usually only 2-3 miles a day. Once or twice a week. So I would def. like to bump that up to 1 mile at LEAST 3 times per week to start with and eventually 4 or 5 a day!!

Nothing to be scared of! Just start small and work your way up. It sounds like you're off to a great start. :happy: Welcome! I'm so glad to see our little group growing. :drinker:

Panda86

Thanks, everyone, for the information on seats! Stu, that website has been quite informative! I am so new to all of this- who knew there were so many types of seats! Hopefully I can find a nice one soon, because mine is a pain in the butt- literally :laugh: This thread sure has been useful and encouraging. I can't thank you all enough for all the helpful advice you have given me! I have no riding buddies here, so you guys are all I have!! I'll let ya know what kind of saddle I get! :bigsmile:

gwynh

I started back to work now (2 days). I got home earlier than regular, there was still lots of light....and lots of heat (94 F at 6 pm). I rode 5 miles, rather slowly, with my son. He tired out. :sick: So I turned around and did the same 5 miles again for a small total for me of 10 miles today. I guess that I will have to settle for smaller trips on work days and longer trips on the weekends.

Welcome everyone to our club. It would be so cool if some how, some day we could all meet and ride together. hehe. :huh: But, I doubt that will ever happen.

Most of the teachers are complaining about having to get up so early again. I on the other hand have been getting up early all summer to ride before the sun melts the tar off the road.

skywalker

Just checking in... Planning another 60+ ride on the weekend, so I'm keeping my rides to shorter, more intense rides during the week. Nothing over 30miles until the weekend.

StuAblett

Just checking in... Planning another 60+ ride on the weekend, so I'm keeping my rides to shorter, more intense rides during the week. Nothing over 30miles until the weekend.

Great job, I'm hoping I'll get some mile in, but we have a typhoon headed our way, and even I'm not that crazy to ride in a Typhoon :noway:

dinos

Welcome everyone to our club. It would be so cool if some how, some day we could all meet and ride together. hehe. :huh: But, I doubt that will ever happen.

That would be great Gwynh, too bad we are scattered around the world. :grumble: