How do I (40 year old female) keep from becoming (saddle) sore while going on long bike trips?

Question

I am biking through Napa for 4 days at the end of the month, and have found, while training, that I tend to bruise easily "down there". Any suggestions to increase my comfort from the "saddle"?

Answer 1

The bones that come in contact with the saddle are two ischial tuberosities ("sit bones") and two ischium bones which are joined in front by the symphysis ligament. The area between the ischium bones the labium is what suffers most, especially if you spend a lot of time on the "drops" (low handlebar position). Women report vulvar tissue problems that range from numbness, swelling, and boils, to blisters, abrasions, and bruising.
It is not necessary for a saddle to have thick padding. The most important consideration is shape. It should match your bone structure. Your ischia and ischial tuberosities should be perched squarely on the saddle, and they should bear the majority of your weight. Bike fit is important, if your saddle is set to high you will rock on your sit bones as you peddle causing bruises.
"Pubic bone structure does not vary that much from one woman to the next, but the amount of vulvar tissue does," says Dr. Wegner.

Saddles are personal. My preferred saddle was once a Brooks. Now it is a Giro Fizik. However two years ago when I was at Interbike a new company was showing their developmental designs. I tried one and it is the first saddle since Brooks stopped making 'my' model that I fit a leather saddle. This company have a good product worth looking for. http://www.selleanatomica.com/
I have used Giro's Fizik Vitesse for the last decade but I still try other saddles. I can't use Terry's, the O2, or most other saddles for female anatomy but I hate a short nosed saddle. It is to limiting in position.
You need to go out and try some after you go to a PT or bike shop known to help women and get your position evaluated.
If you are in the Seattle area talk to Eric Moen, Julie Johnson, or Sammamish Cyclery's Rick Olson. They know how to help women with fit problems.

"Have a Seat" by Carlotta Cuerdon
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/51/10.cfm
For women's saddle review try; http://gorp.away.com/gorp/gear/features/bikesad3.htm
Avocet 02 Air 40
Giro's Fizik Vitesse
Serfas ARC Dual Density
In Motion Women's
Terry Light Sport
Terry Liberator and Liberator Pro
Sella San Marco Women's Race Day
Vetta Sports Shape

Answer 2

Yours is a universal problem, you mentioned bruising not chafing. so that's what we'll target. Bruising results from pressure not friction, so all the Butt Butter in the world probably won't help. Make sure your saddle is level, if it's not level it or even tilt the nose down JUST A TOUCH, to far will make the problem worst as you will be constantly sliding down the nose . Next if you've been professionally fitted on your bike, lower your seat 5mm. If you have not been fitted, get fitted. As everyone else mentioned a different saddle might help, but that's a trial and error situation, when it comes to saddles everyone is built a little different. Also if you are not using any type of lubrication, start, all the brands already mentioned are good, this will help prevent chafing, saddle sores, hot spots etc. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

There are some great answers here already and I agree with them. What kind of bike are you riding? A road bike or a cruiser.. As a female cyclist, make sure the saddle (bike seat) is properly adjusted to fit you, meaning it's height and where your sit bones make contact with the seat. 2. Always wear a good fitting pair of bike shorts with a seamless chamois. 3. Prepare the chamois by rubbing in a goodly amount of "butter" before you put them on and put some butter in a small container and re-apply it during the ride during rest breaks. 4. you may want to take along more than one pair of bike shorts and try to get them laundered between rides. Always change from the shorts asap to avoid further chaffing and irritation and to keep clean. I carry moist wipes in my car so I can clean up asap. Then a hot shower or bath relaxes the muscles and gets you all ready for the next day. The Napa area is an awesome area and you'll certainly enjoy it if you prepare for it ahead of time. Enjoy your visit. Take care of the top of your body too. Take sunscreen and your helmet.!

Answer 4

Not only a saddle but consider a gel padded bike short, or just a higher quality padded short. Perfomance Bikes always has a good price on clothing.
I've been using a Terry Fly saddle and replace every year with the same. For a woman there is a Terry Butterfly (around $90)...I know it seems expensive but its worth it. I thought the same thing at first.....til my first century on one.
Also make sure you are fitted to the bike properly, this may be a part of the issue.DO NOT add things to your saddle like covers and such....invest in a good saddle and skip the $9 quick fix as these gel covers move around and can cause rashes which opens up a new problem.

Good luck and enjoy the trip....Oh yeah chamois butter may help on the longer rides as well............Cheers

Answer 5

Ok, I'm not a woman, but seat can be uncomfortable for men too. I think you might have to change your seat. The absolute best saddle I've found are manufactured by a company called Brooks. I have a 30 year old bike with a Brooks saddle and let me tell you, its the most comfortable seat ever! I know they make saddles especially for women so I would try looking them up. At first the saddle might not look comfortable because they are all leather with no padding, but looks can be deceiving. Trust me and check them out. They might be expensive, but I think they have a satisfaction guarantee. Almost forgot, try adjusting your handlebar rise and seat height and adjustment. Most riders don't have the seat high enough. A poorly adjusted seat can lead to back problems, knee problems. and butt problems.

Answer 6

You might want to distinguish between "chafing" and "pressure points" which have different causes and solutions.

Saddle choice, clothing are important for chafing, and various ointments and good quality shorts can help.

For "pressure" or "blood flow" problems, Bike fitting is also a big part of it, especially if you have a more "upright" position which puts more relative weight on the rear than on the hands or pedals.

As you graduate to longer rides, and get stronger, your legs can support more of your weight (by pushing on the pedals) and you should also allow your arms/hands to support more of the weight (by leaning forward a bit, possibly lowering your handlebars or lengthening your reach to them).

One tip - get comfortable "standing" while pedaling. Especially on a long flat road, you want to get up every few minutes and let the blood flow a bit.

Also, keep in mind that _every_ cyclist gets saddle sore when training at the beginning of the season - even the pro's. A lot of it just take adaptation.

Good luck, I know you'll enjoy your tour.

Scott

Answer 7

Get a soft saddle or a gel cover and wear bike pants that have a crotch pad, in fact get two pairs so you can wear a clean one to protect down there. Also see if you can rest mostly on your glutes and not lean forward with your lower body. Seats are made to give you rest points and a channel to keep your cookie from taking the brunt of your weight. Take advantage of seat technology and bike pants w/pads. Napa is a great ride. Enjoy

Answer 8

the biggest beach cruser seat even if your bike is not a beach cruser would be a pretty comfortable ride the chinese and japenise seats would be somwhat pretty good but if you are willing to shell out some bucks ( about 100) and english seat made out of leather would be even more forgiving. The only english seats I am familiar with are brooks seats. go to a bike shop and ask for a brooks saddle and if you can't get it through them there is a on line cheap bike part company called bike nashbar they are the only one that offered brooks saddles on line all the other one's had only seats made where most of our stuff is made Red china.

Answer 9

I can see the desire to pursue a relationship after a decade of career focus, however if you are planning on children speak to your doctor. Having a first child over the age of 40 seriously increases the chance for birth defects in the child...your "equipment" is rather old not to ever have been used for child bearing. As for where to find men, they are everywhere. If you don't want to go the bar scene (don't blame you) try online, work, charitable organizations, clubs, classes, etc. I met some nice guys when I worked one summer with Habitat for Humanity. I met a few nice ones when I took a dance class locally. I've met tons online (that I also met in person). I've met them through a motorcycle club I joined, through friends, etc. It's not the same as when we were younger (I'm 42 and single) but plenty of decent single men are out there. The dating pool is smaller though, and we and they tend to be more particiular as we've matured and learned Life's lessons so it tends to take longer to find a good match. Good luck!

Answer 10

spend money and get a good seat. Terry makes a good specific for women seat. buy good cycling shorts with good padding. Use Chamois butter known as " butt butter" to cyclist and no nickers, they will chafe.
Also allot of hours on the bike every week helps, its not how far you ride its the hours on the saddle.
Have a great trip.