[Utah]

Recently a pariticipant mentioned that the bike seat hurt so much during the class that they couldn't focus on anything else - just wanted to get off asap. I remember it actually hurt quite a lot when I first started but I don't notice it anymore. At the time, even the gel seat didn't seem to provide much relief. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this?

[mikesbytes]

Male or Female?

And what sort of short were they wearing?

[Utah]

mikesbytes, on Feb 3 2008, 05:42 PM, said:

Male or Female?

And what sort of short were they wearing?

Female and don't remember exactly what they were wearing. Something quite baggy like long shorts not really that good for the class.

[mikesbytes]

It's a complicated topic and in gym classes many of the solutions are not available, due to not being able to change the seat and seat angle. However there are some things that can be done.

First you ask her female specific questions about where the sorness is, obviously when no males are present. As you mentioned you got use to it pretty quick, even switching between one seat to another can require getting use to that seat. However if her soreness is female specific, then some sort of action is needed. It may well be that she is not sitting on her sit bones and/or her pelvis may be tilted forward. I'll leave the rest of this conversation out for now, unless you come back with female questions.

As you know, when you ride, there is friction between the bike seat and your behind, the pad in bike shorts moves the friction point to between the shorts and the seat, saving your behind from the friction. It is definently worth her while purchasing some real bike shorts to use. The ones you saw me wearing cost $19 (Cell Bikes) and they go up to something stupid like $250 (Asocas [spelling?]). Also remind her not to wear underwear with the bike shorts. The mens shorts are generally longer in the legs that what women generally prefer, UNO make good woman specific shorts, I can't help with her fashion requirements, I'm a boy who gets arrested by the style police from time to time.

I've read a good article on this issue for females, when I remember where it was, I'll post a link.

Good luck.

[Utah]

mikesbytes, on Feb 3 2008, 09:17 PM, said:

It's a complicated topic and in gym classes many of the solutions are not available, due to not being able to change the seat and seat angle. However there are some things that can be done.

First you ask her female specific questions about where the sorness is, obviously when no males are present. As you mentioned you got use to it pretty quick, even switching between one seat to another can require getting use to that seat. However if her soreness is female specific, then some sort of action is needed. It may well be that she is not sitting on her sit bones and/or her pelvis may be tilted forward. I'll leave the rest of this conversation out for now, unless you come back with female questions.

As you know, when you ride, there is friction between the bike seat and your behind, the pad in bike shorts moves the friction point to between the shorts and the seat, saving your behind from the friction. It is definently worth her while purchasing some real bike shorts to use. The ones you saw me wearing cost $19 (Cell Bikes) and they go up to something stupid like $250 (Asocas [spelling?]). Also remind her not to wear underwear with the bike shorts. The mens shorts are generally longer in the legs that what women generally prefer, UNO make good woman specific shorts, I can't help with her fashion requirements, I'm a boy who gets arrested by the style police from time to time.

I've read a good article on this issue for females, when I remember where it was, I'll post a link.

Good luck.

OK thanks Mike. I found some outdoor bike shorts over the weekend. I also have a gel seat. I'm going to lend them to her as I want her to be comfortable - certainly don't want her to stop coming on account of this.

[CuteZ3]

Maybe the seat could be a bit too high?? Have your participant try the gel seat and/or the padded shorts, but she might want to lower the seat one (1) notch. I know I rode a class with the seat one notch higher than normal and was uncomfortable.

[Utah]

CuteZ3, on Feb 4 2008, 08:49 AM, said:

Maybe the seat could be a bit too high?? Have your participant try the gel seat and/or the padded shorts, but she might want to lower the seat one (1) notch. I know I rode a class with the seat one notch higher than normal and was uncomfortable.

Thanks for that CuteZ3. She did come in a little late so she didn't get the attention re setup that she would have had prior to class. She is petite so good chance she rode too high.

[Sweetie-Pie]

You might also want to check that she's not sitting too far forward in the saddle. You should be able to see the nose of the saddle between the legs. If you can't, then its going to feel like you gave birth to twins the next day!

SP

[Utah]

Sweetie-Pie, on Feb 5 2008, 04:01 AM, said:

You might also want to check that she's not sitting too far forward in the saddle. You should be able to see the nose of the saddle between the legs. If you can't, then its going to feel like you gave birth to twins the next day!

SP

Well now that you mention it SP she did mention the next time I saw her that it felt like she had something between her legs the whole of the next day (but I'll leave that one up to your imagination!) :-D

[mikesbytes]

Utah, on Feb 5 2008, 11:03 AM, said:

Well now that you mention it SP she did mention the next time I saw her that it felt like she had something between her legs the whole of the next day (but I'll leave that one up to your imagination!) :-D

Bingo. Not sitting on her sit bones.

[Utah]

mikesbytes, on Feb 5 2008, 12:52 PM, said:

Bingo. Not sitting on her sit bones.

OK thanks Mike. I'll show her how to sit next time.

[Sweetie-Pie]

Utah, on Feb 5 2008, 12:03 AM, said:

Well now that you mention it SP she did mention the next time I saw her that it felt like she had something between her legs the whole of the next day (but I'll leave that one up to your imagination!) :-D

Blimey - enough said! :shock:

[Utah]

Sweetie-Pie, on Feb 6 2008, 05:41 AM, said:

Blimey - enough said! :shock:

Yeah she's kind of forward like that. I knew in that instant we were going to get on well!

[ChocolatePizzaRedWine]

Has she been riding long? Many new riders feel sore "down there" the first three or four times they ride, even if they are set up properly. It's just a part of our body that isn't used to much contact. I usually warn my new folks so they aren't surprised by it.

[Utah]

ChocolatePizzaRedWine, on Feb 6 2008, 08:35 AM, said:

Has she been riding long? Many new riders feel sore "down there" the first three or four times they ride, even if they are set up properly. It's just a part of our body that isn't used to much contact. I usually warn my new folks so they aren't surprised by it.

She's brand new to it. I think it's a good idea to warn them. I'll make a point from now on if I know I have new riders.

[Mel]

I couldn't help noticing the heading of this topic as a "latest post" on the main index of the forum.

I have a GREAT solution to the problem..................DON'T RIDE BIKES!

I still haven't forgotten my bike riding in The Netherlands and my single RPM class............Alexander had to drive me everywhere by car for a week after that RPM class. :twisted:

bikes are evil!!!!!

[sigma]

Mel, on Feb 9 2008, 10:50 AM, said:

I couldn't help noticing the heading of this topic as a "latest post" on the main index of the forum.

I have a GREAT solution to the problem..................DON'T RIDE BIKES!

I still haven't forgotten my bike riding in The Netherlands and my single RPM class............Alexander had to drive me everywhere by car for a week after that RPM class. :twisted:

bikes are evil!!!!!

Only for people who don't want to work hard :mrgreen:

[mikesbytes]

Mel, on Feb 9 2008, 08:50 PM, said:

I couldn't help noticing the heading of this topic as a "latest post" on the main index of the forum.

I have a GREAT solution to the problem..................DON'T RIDE BIKES!

I still haven't forgotten my bike riding in The Netherlands and my single RPM class............Alexander had to drive me everywhere by car for a week after that RPM class. :twisted:

bikes are evil!!!!!

Riding along on her pushbike honey
da da da dada (or something)
She looks so pretty as she was riding a long long loonng long

Didn't Alexander kiss it better ?

Jokes aside, even though one may be fit, your still going to feel it if you do something you don't normally do.

=========================

Lisa, found out this morning that there's a bloke who takes his own pedals to spin classes and changes them. Apparently the gym he goes to only has toe clips with plastic pedals (no spd underneath) so you can't even use rat-trap cleats, as plastic pedals don't have the bar for the rat-traps to clip into.

[Sweetie-Pie]

Mel, on Feb 9 2008, 09:50 AM, said:

bikes are evil!!!!!

LOL - I rode 45 miles yesterday and feel fine today - all you need is some proper cycling gear with padding in delicate places. Tho for RPM or spinning I don't even use a gel seat any more - just a matter of getting used to it!


Mike - why shouldn't you wear underwear with cycling shorts - I do all the time!!

[mikesbytes]

Sweetie-Pie, on Feb 10 2008, 11:18 PM, said:

LOL - I rode 45 miles yesterday and feel fine today - all you need is some proper cycling gear with padding in delicate places. Tho for RPM or spinning I don't even use a gel seat any more - just a matter of getting used to it!


Mike - why shouldn't you wear underwear with cycling shorts - I do all the time!!

72k - way to go !

Underwear will gather sweat and then chafe you. Real cycling shorts are designed to be worn directly against the skin.