New - Need Cycling HELP

stacey2521
stacey2521 Posts: 1
in Introduce Yourself
I have been on MFP for just under a month and feel like I am doing a good job. My son who is 14 loves to ride his bike, so I went out and bought a bike so I could start riding too. Good for excercise and we get to spend some extra time together - HOWEVER - My butt is killing me! lol I put a different seat on it and it does make some differance but not too much. Does anyone out there have any tips or suggestions for me. I really like riding so I don't want to give it up but .... ugh. I want to be able to sit down the next day too. Any insight would be appreciated =)

Thanks

Replies

  • clensor1955
    clensor1955 Posts: 187 Member
    Good quality padded biking shorts make all the difference. Also stand up occasionally to give your butt a break. Keep pedaling, it's my favorite exercise!
  • sarahrosheen
    sarahrosheen Posts: 82 Member
    I got a gel seat cover but still hurt my butt! The only thing I think works is consistently biking so your bum gets used to it :(

    After a few days I don't get pain but if I don't bike for a couple weeks, the pain comes back when I bike!
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    First few times you'll end up sore. After that, you'll adapt. Just push through.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    give yourself 2-3 days between rides initially... make sure you have a seat designed for a woman... and just keep pedalling... eventually you will get used to it.. and you will go for miles without even thinking about it.
  • brando79az
    brando79az Posts: 224 Member
    I had the pain and looked into shorts. It took me awhile to shop so before I finally purchased shorts my butt stopped feeling it. I ride at least a half-hour almost every day and don't feel it anymore.
  • BeccaBollons
    BeccaBollons Posts: 652 Member
    Keep doing it regularly and your but will get used to it. Mine hurts every spring for a few days, but the pain settles down quickly.
    I got a bike 2 years ago for the same reason- it's a great way to spend time with kids :)
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Is it a road bike or a mountain bike? Did you get a wide women's saddle? You can add a silicone-filled seat pad if you like. Biking shorts with a built-in pad help both via padding and subtle compression-support.

    Stand sometimes while riding.

    Depending on your weight, you may have to put up with some butt discomfort no matter what you do. I find biking isn't an option due to butt issues when I weigh more than 200 lbs.

    That said, it is worth making the effort to bike. Not only is it good cardio, but it develops the quadriceps--the muscle on the front of your leg. Most of our exercising such as walking or running develops the hamstrings on the back of the leg, but imbalance between these two muscle groups ( "quads" and "hams") can lead to knee pain because of uneven muscle loads on your knee-cap.

    Strong quadriceps also make the front of your legs look toned, so you'll look better in above-the-knee skirts.

    add: I also suggest getting bicycling gloves with a silicone pad in the palm. As you ride more, especially if you have a road bike, you may find your palms and wrists get sore from the long bumping-around of the handlebars as you ride over imperfect surfaces. They also protect your palms from road-rash if you fall.
  • ToughMudderAddict
    ToughMudderAddict Posts: 290 Member
    Good quality padded biking shorts make all the difference. Also stand up occasionally to give your butt a break. Keep pedaling, it's my favorite exercise!

    ^ That.. and the more you do it the less it will hurt, meaning you'll get used to it. I just finished a 204 mile bike ride (2 days) and ended the 2nd day a little sore but I had some good bike shorts and a seat designed for a lady to help get me through it with plenty of stand up/stretchy time on those pedals! Good luck! Oh and if you get the shorts make sure to look into the chamois creams to reduce chaffing.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    it also helps if your bike fits you... since you already have a bike... that may be too late.. BUT you can still make subtle adjustments to the seat... and to the handle bars... raise/lower and front/back. if in doubt.. take it to a bike shop and ask a mechanic to help set it up.. it takes minutes...and a good shop won't charge you much... if anything...
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Good quality padded biking shorts make all the difference. Also stand up occasionally to give your butt a break. Keep pedaling, it's my favorite exercise!

    ^ That.. and the more you do it the less it will hurt, meaning you'll get used to it. I just finished a 204 mile bike ride (2 days) and ended the 2nd day a little sore but I had some good bike shorts and a seat designed for a lady to help get me through it with plenty of stand up/stretchy time on those pedals! Good luck! Oh and if you get the shorts make sure to look into the chamois creams to reduce chaffing.

    Oh, yeah, chamois is so much more awesome in shorts than just random padding...
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    and yes.. cycling shorts and gloves... a note on the shorts... to avoid blisters... always leave the underwear at home... the sewn seams will rub you the wrong way
  • LAT1963
    LAT1963 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Btw, this may seem like a lot of stuff to get when you start out, but minimizing discomfort so you can focus on exercise and on quality kid-time is what will keep you using the bike so you get your money's worth out of your investment.

    Try reading some bicycling magazines about the kind of bike you bought. They're usually full of stuff and gear for advanced die-hard 20-something guys, but you can usually apply the training concepts and such, just scaled down to your current fitness level. (Remember they are funded by advertisements from makers of biking gizmos, so they have an interest in pushing gizmos. Its the concepts you want to take home.)

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