How to Avoid Bike Saddle Soreness

Follow these guidelines to keep long bike rides comfortable and enjoyable.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Padded Bicycle Shorts
• Bicycle Seats/saddles
• Gel-cushioned Bicycle Saddles

1. Adjust your bicycle seat. If you have to stretch and rock your hips at the bottom of the pedal rotation, lower the seat slightly.

2. Purchase a pair of padded shorts. Avoid nylon shorts without a lining.

3. Sit on your bike with your hands on the handlebars and rock backwards until your weight rests on your "sit bones" at the base of your butt, rather than on your crotch.

4. Try to ride with your weight distributed this way and adjust your bicycle, if necessary.

5. Begin with shorter riding times until comfortable.

6. Apply lotion to chafed areas before the situation becomes unbearable.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a broken-in saddle for long rides.
• New saddles are available with the center cut out to minimize chafing and prevent numbness.
• Plastic saddles will almost guarantee saddle soreness. Replace it with a leather or gel-cushioned saddle.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[vikont]

on 5/7/2009 Try getting a new saddle like ISM ADAMO, it takes a little time to get used to it, but i adjusted it and i love it. It's comfortable for long rides and i don't get saddle sores.Check it out at http://www.TriBug.com

on 11/22/2005 Don't wear underwear in bike shorts. So, it's nasty. But it's often the difference between riding 30 miles suffering or 70 with hardly any problem. Take two pairs and one can be rinsed and drying.

on 11/22/2005 There are lots of brands of suspension seat posts out there now that will save you a lot of pain and discomfort. For a few bucks, they are easy to fit and very comfortable.

on 11/22/2005 If you are rising over bumpy terrain, use your sense and stand up out of the saddle over the worst of the bumps.

on 11/22/2005 Stand and pedal every four to five minutes.