100 miles = Sore James Cracknell!

bails1310

Managed my first 100 miles today [108 if I'm being padantic]. Apart from a couple of dark half hours on the way back when I thought why the fcuk am I doing this, not too bad [he says that with feet up having eaten his own body weight in pasta]

One thing I did learn is normal shorts do not work!

I took all the advise I could, 2 layers of [cheap] shorts *check*, cream up before you depart *check*, fitted the Charge Spoon before departure *check* - all OK.

2 problems, once out the saddle the shorts kept snagging on the saddel tip when I got back down so had numerous stops to hoist them back up like a fat chick in a club, and the padding from my point of view didn't work as well as I hoped.

Guy I rode with had more experience so said I should invest in some bibs and whole heartedly agree. My question is, do they make a bib short with nothing short of a DFS sofa in the nether regions as if I don't get somethiing decent in my life, my cycling love affair will be coming to an ubrup end, at least with anything 5o miles.

If I should MTFU and accept that my butt will feel like it's been attacked with a rasp file, please feel free to tell me.

I'm off to buy some more ice, thanks in advance.
Neil

tallmansix

I suffered badly when I got back on wheels last year after a long spell not cycling, but it's all toughened up a lot quite quickly but I do suffer achy or numb bum with anything over about 60 mile.

I think a degree depends how regular you ride, you darker regions tend to toughen both skin wise and pain threshold with daily riding but if you get the bike out once a month for a marathon it will feel worse.

I find a slimmer hard leather seat always suits me better, also check it is the right height, I tend to put less weight on the seat when it is higher because my legs are straighter and taking more load and some weight also shifted forward through my arms with the bars about 3" lower than the seat.

I only use Lycra in the summer, mostly 1 layer baggie shorts or trackies for winter and I weigh 15 stone but I would give Lycra a whirl to stop the chaffing, it does work. Cheap shorts maybe the issue, some materials chaff and sweat more.

Also padding can make things worse, I was told that the more directly the load goes on your sitting bones, the less flesh is squashed so less pain, padding spreads the load through more flesh.

u05harrisb

id invest in a good set of propper shorts, dont have to go spending loads but youll be suprised how big a diffrence it makes. youll find that the more you ride the less prone you will be to pain in that area, so solution really is just to get out more frequently if possible. for example because of exams and stuff i havnt been out much for a few months got back on the bike and 5 miles and im hurting, like cramping sorta pain. but once ive been out more and more like i used to im doing better. so dont worry. having too much padding somtimes is worse for you, i have a lightly padded slimish saddle but my commtor bike has a huge saddle and its horrible to ride! not painfull but quite uncomfy for more than say 5 miles. have you tried the camois cream you can get for shorts, some say there great too.

Ben

Kiwi_rich

Not sure your mates are giving you the right advice. I wouldn't wear two pairs of shorts as you re likely to get rubbing between layers & you also don't want loose material between you & your saddle.

Get yourself a nice pair of lycra bib shorts - a single padded layer that doesn't need to be too thick. Spend a bit of money & you wont have to worry. Assos, gore & dhb all work for be.

u05harrisb

+1 for dhb! all of there stuff is good value and punchs way above there price!

keef66

I went for the mid-range DHB bibshorts and they have been excellent. (Pointless naming them as they keep changing the names!) At first the pad was a bit like sitting on a couple of shredded wheat, but with a bit of wear and washing it has mellowed, and is now super comfy. No snagging on the saddle as the bibs keep the pad snugly in place.

nferrar

+1 for DHB aeron pros
Also think about the saddle, the Spoon is pretty comfy IMO (I use one on my MTB) but after a couple of hours it starts to grate, mostly as for me it's a bit narrow for my sit bones. If you're regularly doing 2 hour+ rides then I'd recommend going to a Specialized dealer and getting measured up and test one of their saddles (like a Romin, which is my choice for the road bike).

StrangelyBrown

Decent shorts and decent saddle. Thick padding is very rarely, if ever, your friend. It will just cause pressure and rubbing on places you don't want it.

A good saddle will put your weight on your sit bones which is why, if you get a good fit, a very comfy saddle can still look like a tourture device to the uninitiated. It doesn't need to be padded, it just needs to be the right shape for your JC. A decent bike shop should have some loan saddles - try a few and see which one works. If they won't loan you one then go elsewhere. It's a very personal thing so recommendations are pointless - what works for one will be hell for another... so I recommend the Specialized Romin as the most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden (take a look at it if you want an example of no padding but still very comfy).

Decent bib shorts definitely (DHB are good value). Cheapo is a false economy here - think £40-£50 minimum. A good pair will give you a good fit (so no snagging), and a decent pad. Also means they sit tight against your bits so don't rub. And bib rather than shorts - way more comfy and you will never go back.

StorckSpeed

The DHB's get a really good review and are great value for money - C+ did a review of Bib Shorts just last month.
I searched for shorts and sorted them according to the reviews. Have a look.
I can also recommend Gore Bike Wear Shorts, I've got 2 pairs and they are really comfortable

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... mit=Search