New bike sore bum

Avocado_Angel
Avocado_Angel Posts: 2,362 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
The title says it all really just bought a new bike, haven't cycled since I was a child and was really enjoying it but never realised cycling gave you such a sore behind, iv ordered some padded pants so really hoping that solves the problem. Any other biking woes I should know about in advance ?

Also all the positives to cycling id love to hear them

Replies

  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    I'm not a cyclist but I do a spin class every now and then (not enough to invest in padded shorts) but I can tell you it stops hurting so much after a couple of times. Good luck, have fun!!!
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  • brittyn3
    brittyn3 Posts: 481 Member
    MonkeyMel21 wrote: »
    I'm not a cyclist but I do a spin class every now and then (not enough to invest in padded shorts) but I can tell you it stops hurting so much after a couple of times. Good luck, have fun!!!

    2nd this. If I've taken a break from riding, it'll take my rear end a week or so to get used to it. Once you're used to it... you're good. Gloves are a good idea if you're going for longer rides. Palms of your hand can get sore from either rubbing when changing/breaking or just leaning on them.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,864 Member
    Cycling shorts will help
    Time in the saddle will help
    Learn to use your sit bones

    If it continues to be a significant issue (there's always a little soreness) then you might want to look into a different saddle as the stock saddle may not fit your sit bones properly.
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  • Lizarking
    Lizarking Posts: 507 Member
    Riding light in the seat in a bike with a proper fit will go a long way.
  • Tweaking_Time
    Tweaking_Time Posts: 733 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Cycling shorts will help
    Time in the saddle will help
    Learn to use your sit bones

    If it continues to be a significant issue (there's always a little soreness) then you might want to look into a different saddle as the stock saddle may not fit your sit bones properly.

    ^^^This^^^

    Start with shorter rides. After a week or two, your seat will feel better :-)
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  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    What kind of bike did you get? Can you show us pictures?

    You should try standing up on the pedals from time to time. You won't ride very long that way but it will give you a chance to stretch out and give your butt a break, while you ride.

    If you think you'll be doing a lot of grocery trips by bike (and why not? save gas money and don't fret parking) you should consider investing in a rack and panniers, although you can make those yourself. They'll be far more comfortable than a backpack.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I bought a new bike and even though I ride nearly every day, I got a little sore when I went for a fifty mile bike ride on Sunday. Just having a new seat is enough to make you sore, and it is much worse if you haven't ridden for a while. Part of that is just getting used to the seat. But I think part of what happens with new or returning riders is that they tend to stay seated far to much. Even a few seconds of standing up every few minutes can reduce discomfort.
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  • MissDeeDee78
    MissDeeDee78 Posts: 415 Member
    Keep at it, your glutes will strengthen up and you'll be fine. Gel seats or padded shorts help.
  • 2011rocket3touring
    2011rocket3touring Posts: 1,345 Member
    Get the biggest, most comfy seat that will fit your bottom.
  • WickAndArtoo
    WickAndArtoo Posts: 773 Member
    Hopefully you bought a helmet too? Also I really recommend (if you aren't already doing this) always wear close toed shoes that stay on your feet properly, and be careful with any hanging clothing or straps from back packs. These might be obvious, but unfortunately I learn all my lessons the hard way.
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  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,864 Member
    Avocado_Angel wrote: »
    2011rocket3touring wrote: »
    Get the biggest, most comfy seat that will fit your bottom.

    That sounds like a great idea lol il definitely be investing in one of those if all else fails

    No, don't do that...if you end up riding more than pretty short distances (5-10 miles), you're going to create other problems with a big cushy seat...
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  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Avocado_Angel wrote: »
    It's a halfords apollo excelle hybrid bike, nothing fancy. I will post a pic.

    My bf was standing up on the pedals during our first outing, my confidence wasn't great at start but when I managed it I really felt the benefit. But, my legs were already sore that day from doing other exercise so I found it quite difficult to stand, coupled with the fact my *kitten* felt like it was falling off standing was a chore.

    Panniers rings a bell I'l have to get onto Amazon to see what they actually are. Yeah I kinda thought a backpack would be a hassle

    Does your bike have gears, and shifters?

    If so, they'll let you move the effort between your legs (hard gear) and chest (easy gear) meaning your heart and lungs.

    New cyclists don't shift enough. You have everything else to manage, keeping the bike upright, etc, and you can make it work in the "wrong" gear. But it's easier if you remember to shift.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Avocado_Angel wrote: »
    ... I did wear my asics trainers, nice n comfy. I did find my feet came off the pedals a few times (think that was due to me not having set the gears and everything at right setting ) they were moving to easily and quickly. And obviously cos it was my first time back on a bike. So I said to my bf, wouldn't it be great if the pedals had little straps to strap your feet on? He said yeah and wouldn't that be great were you to fall off haha I thought that was quite funny

    They're called toe clips. They'll prevent your feet from sliding off (which can be a safety issue) and you can sprint and climb hills a little more quickly with them. One trick is to not tighten them down too much, so you can pull your foot out (just pull straight back) quickly.

    token-tk456-med.jpg?w=430&h=430&a=7toe%20clips.jpg

    Nowadays, a lot of people take that a step further and use special ("clipless") pedals and shoes that lock together like ski bindings. Everybody falls once, learns their lesson, and always remembers afterwards to clip out before stopping. You have to turn your foot a specific way to get out, so you probably don't want these at this point, but here's a picture just to see.

    clipless-shoe-and-pedals.jpg

    I wouldn't recommend clipless at this point but if your foot sliding off the pedal is bothering you, toe clips (especially without straps) will help and can work well even for new cyclists.
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