TMI Female Bike Riding Issue

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  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    I clicked to see what kind of female issue "TMI" was. :ohwell: It was interesting, however, since I just bought a bike and haven't started riding yet. I didn't know why the seat has a hole in the middle.

    Ventalation...

    Ummm...no.
  • Tiggerrick
    Tiggerrick Posts: 1,078 Member
    These are common problems in bike riding. One bike seat may work for one person and not another. Too much padding is just as bad as too little. You may do better with an anatomical bike seat.

    Take Zoom2's advice. It's valid.
  • red_hatorade
    red_hatorade Posts: 166
    Thanks for all the good advice. I think I sit more forward to reduce sit bone pain, because when I get it, I cannot ride again for like a week. I will look into some of the ideas I got here. First things first, I am going to check the height of my seat. Start out small and then go from there.
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    Thanks for all the good advice. I think I sit more forward to reduce sit bone pain, because when I get it, I cannot ride again for like a week.

    The more you ride, the faster you will toughen your butt up. I have friends who only ride in the Summer. Every Spring they go through a month of sore butt. I ride year-round...mostly indoors during the Winter. I haven't had sore sit bones in years, not even after riding across the state of MI in one day, last Summer (on a rock hard saddle). It's worth it to endure that pain for a few weeks, really.
  • RedSunshine365
    RedSunshine365 Posts: 189 Member
    Zoom2's advice is spot on.

    If you are riding a bike that is not women's specific, it more than likely came with a saddle that is too narrow for you, especially given the more upright, slower pace you are currently doing. Go to a shop that'll let you try out different saddles.

    As far as UTI's...definitely go commando and wear a good pair of bike shorts. The chamois is designed to wick away moisture and breathe while also providing a bit more cushion on your sit bones. bike shorts should be tight...if they are too big, the chamois can "tent" or "pucker" and cause problems, too. Cotton is just a recipe for disaster.

    If you're too shy to go commando or too shy to wear lycra, I recommend trying the bike "boxer" shorts - they are like biking shorts with a chamois that you'd wear under another pair of loose shorts. I wear them under my running tights when riding in colder weather.

    Good luck and don't be afraid to try out different saddles and find a bike shop that'll fit you on your bike. I hope things get better for you!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member

    4. DZ Nuts Bliss Chamois Cream - Women's


    snicker snicker - Nuts Bliss cream seems more like a male thing... Love the name. :laugh: :blushing:
  • Polly758
    Polly758 Posts: 623 Member
    Sounds like the change in seat should help the sensation problems, but for the UTI problem, make sure all your undies and workout clothes are cotton in the crotch. And don't use scented anything down there.

    Yes on no scented stuff...no no no no no to cotton...cotton absorbs moisture and is a breeding ground for lovely things like yeast. Your best bet for bottoms would be a padded cycling short and NO panties.

    Well you use cotton and then bleach the hell out of it. Guess I should have mentioned that.
  • sendit
    sendit Posts: 28
    Uwvo6.jpg
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member

    4. DZ Nuts Bliss Chamois Cream - Women's


    snicker snicker - Nuts Bliss cream seems more like a male thing... Love the name. :laugh: :blushing:

    It's actually the female-specific version of DZ Nutz, created by pro cyclist Dave Zabriskie (a really pervy dude, from the stories I've read). I tried a sample of the Bliss...I didn't like it, personally. I had a bad reaction to *something* in it. Not sure what. I know LOTS of women who love it, though. I've been much happier with a chamois butter called "That Butt Stuff." I usually order it from Amazon.com.
  • justjenn1977
    justjenn1977 Posts: 437 Member
    I have to tip the front of my seat down, and then ride on the back of the seat,... earlier this month we did the Virginia Creeper trail (about 70 miles after side trips) and the second day I loosened my seat so I could sit on one side or the other... I kind of twist it and sit on one pelvic protuberance or the other and rotate about once an hour (when you are on the bike 18 hrs between two days.... you have to do something!)
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    Sounds like the change in seat should help the sensation problems, but for the UTI problem, make sure all your undies and workout clothes are cotton in the crotch. And don't use scented anything down there.

    Yes on no scented stuff...no no no no no to cotton...cotton absorbs moisture and is a breeding ground for lovely things like yeast. Your best bet for bottoms would be a padded cycling short and NO panties.

    Well you use cotton and then bleach the hell out of it. Guess I should have mentioned that.

    You're perfectly welcome to wear cotton undies if that works for you. I sweat like a horse and they'd be soaked in no time. I've had chafing from wearing wicking undies while running, too...bloody welts on one's cheeks is unpleasant. Commando is the way to go. :happy:
  • zoom2
    zoom2 Posts: 934 Member
    Red, I had another thought this AM. Could your bike be too big for you? If a bike is too big it forces the rider to lean too far foward--rolling from one's sit bones and onto sensitive areas. I had this issue with my first mountain bike. It was a cheapy Schwinn and the kid fitting us put me on what I now know was a size too big. I should have been on a 15 and was fit to a 16. I never could get comfy on that, regardless of saddle or shorts.

    It's possible that a shorter stem could be put on your bike to minimize the reach, but this will change the handling and potentially make the steering overly sensitive.
  • stormdancer
    stormdancer Posts: 32 Member
    http://www.terratrike.com/rover.php

    the Rover recumbent bike is designed to hold up to 400 lbs, and its literally like you are sitting in a lawn chair, pedaling so comfortably along.... its made by Terratrike, for those of us with wide loads :)

    if you have questions you can go to the Terratrike forums and ask questions there about them. Easy to get into and out of,
    like standing up from, or sitting down into a lawn chair. Never any crotch numbness either.

    I wish I knew how to post a photo of one here.
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