Odd feeling in the ol' crotch area (for dudes) question...
#1
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Odd feeling in the ol' crotch area (for dudes) question...
I ride a gravel bike probably around 3 days a week. From 2-5 hours each ride with some decent amount of climbing. I wear a bib as well. Recently I did a bit more than usual, about 5 rides in a week, while on a trip to an Austrian lake and started to notice some odd feeling down there on my last ride. Not really pain but just a discomfort in the crotch/TAINT area. It's a feeling where it's not so comfortable to actually ride/sit. It's odd, i really only feel it when my bib straps are up on my shoulders. Once I take them off (the straps), i guess the pressure is off my 'area' and i'm ok. I doubt the bibs i own (i own 2) are too small as I've been wearing them for over a year. I wear a medium size, I'm about 6 foot tall and 180lbs. So, I've given it a rest now, haven't ridden now in 4 days. Figure my 'area' needs a break. Anyone else have this experience/sensation? Frustrating as hell as I wanna ride, big time.
Last edited by eaglesandcycling; 07-15-21 at 10:00 AM.
#2
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More than likely just irritated the area from the increased volume of riding in a quick time span. One could assume that some swelling may have occurred not only in the perineum but possibly also compounded by swollen legs, etc. The tell tale IMO is the fact that taking down shoulder straps offered some relief.
Take a break for a moment, let yourself recover, and see if the issue resolves. If it doesn't you may want to consider different riding shorts, possibly a seat or position change, and if those don't help, ask your doctor about it.
Take a break for a moment, let yourself recover, and see if the issue resolves. If it doesn't you may want to consider different riding shorts, possibly a seat or position change, and if those don't help, ask your doctor about it.
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#3
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More than likely just irritated the area from the increased volume of riding in a quick time span. One could assume that some swelling may have occurred not only in the perineum but possibly also compounded by swollen legs, etc. The tell tale IMO is the fact that taking down shoulder straps offered some relief.
Take a break for a moment, let yourself recover, and see if the issue resolves. If it doesn't you may want to consider different riding shorts, possibly a seat or position change, and if those don't help, ask your doctor about it.
Take a break for a moment, let yourself recover, and see if the issue resolves. If it doesn't you may want to consider different riding shorts, possibly a seat or position change, and if those don't help, ask your doctor about it.
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If it feels like your balls are numb, stand up and pedal every five minutes or whatever it takes, change your seat/seating arrangement or ride less.
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Here is Your Fix.
" i really only feel it when my bib straps are up on my shoulders. Once I take them off (the straps), i guess the pressure is off my 'area' and i'm ok."
" i really only feel it when my bib straps are up on my shoulders. Once I take them off (the straps), i guess the pressure is off my 'area' and i'm ok."
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It could just be the extra riding volume. I do some pretty long rides with 5-9 hours in the saddle. While I don’t generally have issues down there I find that discomfort can happen quite suddenly once you go beyond your normal riding time. For example if I’ve been doing only 1-2 hour rides for a while and then suddenly throw in a 6 hour ride I may get pretty uncomfortable beyond the 3rd hour and end up with a pretty sore ass by the end. It always amazes me how your body conditions itself precisely to whatever stress you are putting it through, but with little margin beyond!
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To the OP: are the shoulder straps really tight? Because it could be that you sit differently with them pulled up if they are. But overall, you are somehow changing the interaction between your perineum, the shorts, and the saddle with the straps down compared to up.
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it's nuts, that after a certain time of continuous riding, that the discomforts comes on hard. The bibs imo are too short.
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Bibs
Me …. 6’1” 185lb = XL bibs
We all have different proportions, but I’m just sayin’
Barry
We all have different proportions, but I’m just sayin’
Barry
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Seems odd to me that sizing for bibs is generally based on a single measurement - waist circumference - when there are at least 3 important parameters - waist, yes. But also torso length and leg length. I have worn Louis Garneau XL bibs for years. Last year I lost about 30#, so I bought some of the same model in L, and while they fit in the waist and hold everything in place, the straps are just a tad tight, and they are about 2" shorter in the leg.
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Seems odd to me that sizing for bibs is generally based on a single measurement - waist circumference - when there are at least 3 important parameters - waist, yes. But also torso length and leg length. I have worn Louis Garneau XL bibs for years. Last year I lost about 30#, so I bought some of the same model in L, and while they fit in the waist and hold everything in place, the straps are just a tad tight, and they are about 2" shorter in the leg.
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You could have all that pesky junk removed. Or get bibs that fit. Or switch to waist shorts.
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#18
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#19
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Maybe go have a doctor check you out and ask them about your riding and that "problem down there". Then again, it may be that your over-the-shoulder-boulders-holder is just Jacques Toutite.
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Last edited by drlogik; 07-16-21 at 08:22 AM.
#20
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I'm 5' 9" 160 lbs and wear a size medium bib(and every thing else) I have them from different manufacturers, on one pair the straps are too tight and pull up on my crotch when I'm standing, when I'm riding it's fine. Others don't pull at all.
I think you should try the next size up.
And you might want to use chamois cream to lube up the boys.
I think you should try the next size up.
And you might want to use chamois cream to lube up the boys.
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Don't muck around when it comes to "weird feelings" in that area. Do I need to spell it out for you?
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Switch from bibs to cycling shorts. They may not be as cool or pro, but you should feel a significant difference
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Maybe you just need to take a good #2 before you ride.
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