MikeB9731

New to the forum, I've been out of the saddle for awhile. Used to ride a lot. I need some help in knowing what to do to get my behind used to the saddle again. I'm hoping there is a way that does not include a lot of pain. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks..

Phil_gretz

I'm not aware of a magical solution to this. Even seasonal riders are sore when they resume in the Springtime.

I'd recommend rides of shorter duration as you start out again. Like 20 minutes or so. Every other day. Ease into it, and give your bottom time to toughen up. Also, lot's of stretching of hamstrings, glutes, adductors, calves to keep the legs limber. Maybe others have something more concrete...

hrdknox1

Also, use petroleum jelly on the contact spots. I have found petroleum jelly to be the best protection against saddle sores. For added protection on long rides I usually put a bit of chamois cream on top of the petroleum jelly.

philbob57

I've read that petroleum jelly can clog pores.Something like Body Glide or Gold Bond Friction Defense reduce friction without petroleum jelly or mineral oil.

The best way to avoid butt pain is to ease in to riding, as recommended above.

ramzilla

Get a saddle with plain old fashioned steel springs on it. It's an easy practical solution to your problem. The one shown below is a very inexpensive item. And, it works.

MarcusT

There are 2 factors that lead to sorebuttitus
The fit of the saddle, which includes firmness, flex, width, etc. Choose your saddle carefully. If the saddle that came with the bike fits, you're lucky
and
the friction from saddle cover to your rear. The purpose of chamois and the balms is to reduce friction.
Which is why saddles like Brooks are so popular. The saddle forms to your rear and the laminated leather has very little friction.

Increased padding helps temporarily. I find when riding with my Brooks, I can ride several hours with no padding. With the other saddles and padded shorts; after 2 hours I start to feel the soreness

Gconan

I like some padding, if only a little. Wilderness Trail Bikes saddles do it for me.

BlazingPedals

Saddle sores can be completely avoided if your bike doesn't have a saddle. But that's the subject for another forum. If you gotta have a saddle, that WTB one looks a lot like my old-time favorite (that's no longer made of course.)

big chainring 

A 60 year old French saddle might help.🤣 When no other saddle is comfortable this one calms my behind. But riding thru some discomfort seems to be a yearly thing. Takes a dozen rides or so to toughen up the rearend.

GeneO 

Actual "saddle sores", as opposed to muscle pain from and unconditioned bum, are from bacteria infecting skin chafed by friction. After you ride, make sure your change your clothes immediately and wash off where the bum meets the saddle. As others have mentioned, soft saddle comfort is not necessarily good for longer rides because those kind of saddles allow for more frictional motion between your bum and the saddle.

For muscle pain, it just takes some conditioning and will go away over time given the right saddle.

livedarklions

I'd pretty much ignore any saddle suggestions on here--it's a bunch of people who've never seen your feet trying to recommend the right shoe size.

Not sure if your pain is from pressure or tired muscle, but I find that early in the season, I do a lot more standing on the pedals and move back to riding on the seat more as my fitness improves.

55murray

Yes to the above, make it a policy. Every 10 or 15 minutes get off that saddle for a minute (that is a pretty long time). When you sit back down it will feel better since the blood has flowed back. That will help condition your rear, and later in the season you can do that less.

spelger

this has been my experience too. And when I do get a saddle sore I use neosporin.

GeneO 

Same here.

bikehoco

1. Use chamois butter
2. Occasionally pedal while standing especially during rough patches in your path.

Ross520

I think it just takes a little while for your skin to "HTFU". I never get them anymore, and I'm sure with a little time you'll be sore-free!

Try rubbing some Vitamin E oil on the affected areas after your post-ride shower, it will help with the irritation.