Cycling and butt pain

julieh391
julieh391 Posts: 683 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Any tips to avoid horrid butt pain (tailbone I suppose) during/after a long ride? I did a 25 mile ride last year and loved everything about it except having to scooch around on my seat for the second half because my tailbone hurt. Any advice? Amazing seats? Cushions? Keep riding and suck it up?

Replies

  • Casey45
    Casey45 Posts: 160 Member
    If it's your tailbone that hurts, you should think about the seat cushion you use. Check with a reputable dealer, they'll have options for sure. You should also consider while you are there asking them to assess your fit, bring the bike and they can help you figure out if you need to adjust the handbars and seat for height and distance. Those two things can make a world of difference.

    I rode my bicycle across the US (SF to NYC) when I was 28 (it was a group fund and awareness raising effort for grassroots community economic development in third world countries). We averaged 65 miles/day with low miles in the mountains, higher in the flatlands. I spent the year before using only my bike (in Sacramento) for transportation (no car), and once I decided to do the project, I started training by doing 30+ miles on Saturdays and Sundays with a few centuries thrown in. Even though I had been riding approximately 10 miles/day just commuting to school and work, I was a bit saddle sore too. But not my tailbone. I had pressure numbness on hands and crotch and feet. Bluntly spoken but a well known difficulty for bike riders. It eases with practise, padded gloves, pants, good technique, and bike fit.

    Good luck.

    Edited to add: Good bike fit refers to not only the height of the bars and seat, but also the distance between seat and bars. You'd be amazed at how much changing those dimensions can affect your body position and add to or diminish uncomfortable pressure points.
  • danni033081
    danni033081 Posts: 35 Member
    Any tips to avoid horrid butt pain (tailbone I suppose) during/after a long ride? I did a 25 mile ride last year and loved everything about it except having to scooch around on my seat for the second half because my tailbone hurt. Any advice? Amazing seats? Cushions? Keep riding and suck it up?

    They have cycling shorts with the padding right in them. Check any sports shop.
  • TravisBikes
    TravisBikes Posts: 674 Member
    Don't be afraid to pay a little more if you decide to get shorts. I had to throw away my cheaper pairs because they just didn't work out. It may take some getting used to, but can be worth it. Some companies like ZOIC make liners that you can buy seperately and wear under "normal" shorts as well. Might want to look at mid level "women specific design" seats at the shops as well.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    If its your tailbone that hurts, I'm going to guess it's your fit.

    If it were around your sit bones or "forward", it might still be your fit, or your seat.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    If its your tailbone that hurts, I'm going to guess it's your fit.

    If it were around your sit bones or "forward", it might still be your fit, or your seat.

    Agree.
  • rininger85
    rininger85 Posts: 131
    I work with a few bicycling enthusiasts, one whom owns the local bike shop...I've heard them tell people before that if you are in pain from riding that its actually worse when you get the big padded seats, they say to stick with smaller seats and ride more often and the pain will go away. One of the guys does 20-30 mile rides a couple times a week and rides 100+ mile trips on weekends...
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    High quality cycling shorts + proper saddle = happy tush and crotch. LOL Seriously tho, if you're going to be doing distance riding like you are, you need to make sure you're fitted properly on your bike, and you have the proper saddle for your shape. A decent bike shop can get your bike set up for the perfect fit, and many bike shops have a 'sit bone' thingamabob to determine where your sit bones hit, and then can recommend the proper saddle for you. What works for me (Terry butterfly saddle) might not work for you.

    Also, a quality chamois cream is a plus. I like the 'euro style' stuff. It has a cool, tingly feel to it when it comes in contact with your skin. Oh ya, and one last thing, NO UNDIES between you and your cycling shorts. No no no! ;)
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    I work with a few bicycling enthusiasts, one whom owns the local bike shop...I've heard them tell people before that if you are in pain from riding that its actually worse when you get the big padded seats, they say to stick with smaller seats and ride more often and the pain will go away. One of the guys does 20-30 mile rides a couple times a week and rides 100+ mile trips on weekends...

    I agree completely. You'd think you would get more comfort out of a nice big, padded seat. It's actually the opposite. The less surface area for your body to come in contact with, the better :)
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I have a gel seat, even though my *kitten* hurts like hell at first, after a few rides I'm ok. I don't know what kind of biking you're doing, I have a mountain bike and the gel seat works fine.
  • itgeekwoman
    itgeekwoman Posts: 804 Member
    I don't leave home without my bike shorts!! It makes a HUGE difference!
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    If it's spine and bone, get a new seat. There's padded bicycle shorts but I don't like them.

    If it's skin related, there's chafing glide-on skin lubricants to prevent chafing and skin irritation.
  • Kissybiz
    Kissybiz Posts: 361 Member
    It's always a race to see which goes numb first, my feet or my hoohah. Not necessarily my butt. I suggest getting a good padded seat fit to your sit bones, padded biking shorts (a must), butt butter for longer rides (gross sounding I know), and if that doesn't help, get professionally fit for your bike.. they adjust it for your frame, etc..

    Happy riding!
  • Ironman2be
    Ironman2be Posts: 140 Member
    I work with a few bicycling enthusiasts, one whom owns the local bike shop...I've heard them tell people before that if you are in pain from riding that its actually worse when you get the big padded seats, they say to stick with smaller seats and ride more often and the pain will go away. One of the guys does 20-30 mile rides a couple times a week and rides 100+ mile trips on weekends...

    ^^ This.. but you need to make sure the bike fits you properly as well. Having an improper fit will cause pain on long rides! Get some good cycling shorts and you should be good to go!
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    If your moving around in your seat, it is your fit. Go to your local bike shop and ask them to fit you for your bike.
  • jamfan
    jamfan Posts: 124 Member
    First thing is to make sure you have no seams from your attire under where you will be sitting. This can cause quite a bit of discomfort.

    The more you ride the less pain you will have in your butt. It takes me three solid rides in the spring before I get accustomed to my seat again. If your not normally cycling & bust out a 20 mile ride out of the blue your butt will hurt, expect it.

    If you are regularly riding & still sore, padded bike shorts help a ton. Just remember riding a bike is not an excuse to dress like an A-hole. I wear shorts over mine. If you like the spandex over a diaper look more power to you.

    If the seat is still an issue go to a bike shop. They can offer seats in various widths and genders to fit your tailbone. They can be a bit costly but if there's no pain in your butt you will be more apt to continue riding.
  • Marmitegeoff
    Marmitegeoff Posts: 373 Member
    High quality cycling shorts + proper saddle = happy tush and crotch. LOL Seriously tho, if you're going to be doing distance riding like you are, you need to make sure you're fitted properly on your bike, and you have the proper saddle for your shape. A decent bike shop can get your bike set up for the perfect fit, and many bike shops have a 'sit bone' thingamabob to determine where your sit bones hit, and then can recommend the proper saddle for you. What works for me (Terry butterfly saddle) might not work for you.

    Also, a quality chamois cream is a plus. I like the 'euro style' stuff. It has a cool, tingly feel to it when it comes in contact with your skin. Oh ya, and one last thing, NO UNDIES between you and your cycling shorts. No no no! ;)

    Totaly agree with this I regularily ride 100 miles plus. Good shorts aregood value for money as they last for years.
  • Casey45
    Casey45 Posts: 160 Member
    High quality cycling shorts + proper saddle = happy tush and crotch. LOL Seriously tho, if you're going to be doing distance riding like you are, you need to make sure you're fitted properly on your bike, and you have the proper saddle for your shape. A decent bike shop can get your bike set up for the perfect fit, and many bike shops have a 'sit bone' thingamabob to determine where your sit bones hit, and then can recommend the proper saddle for you. What works for me (Terry butterfly saddle) might not work for you.

    Also, a quality chamois cream is a plus. I like the 'euro style' stuff. It has a cool, tingly feel to it when it comes in contact with your skin. Oh ya, and one last thing, NO UNDIES between you and your cycling shorts. No no no! ;)

    No undies - :) Oh yeah, I forgot about that (I don't bike much anymore),

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