General Cycling Discussion - This problem might almost be funny .. about my butt

OK ... flying in the face of getting laughed at I am gonna post this.

When I ride bike every day, sometimes 60+ kms in a day for fun, I can develop what seems to be small boils or red blemishes on my rear end where my "cheeks" sit on the seat. I have tried different seats (right now I am using my comfy gel seat) and no go .. is it from heat or friction or what? Anyone else get this or am I a freak?? :eek:

I don't think anyone else has every had a sore butt from riding 60+ miles. :)

Seriously, eventually those bumps will turn into caluses. Then you can say you are a real bike rider. If they don't believe you just turn and show them. You know what they say - proof is in the pudding.

heh I have one of those on the inside of my right calf, from chainring rub.

heh I have one of those on the inside of my right calf, from chainring rub.
getting mine...I rub my cranks like crazy

OK ... flying in the face of getting laughed at I am gonna post this.

When I ride bike every day, sometimes 60+ kms in a day for fun, I can develop what seems to be small boils or red blemishes on my rear end where my "cheeks" sit on the seat. I have tried different seats (right now I am using my comfy gel seat) and no go .. is it from heat or friction or what? Anyone else get this or am I a freak?? :eek:


Probably pressure sores. I also get them from wearing a hiking pack ie I get little red sores on my shoulders after I have been wearing a heavy pack for a few hours.

Do you use embrocation?

Suspension seatpost, maybe? ;)

It seems more likely they would be pimples or pimple clusters due to perspiration and being trapped in a confined area. Chafing and pressure sores are very good bets as well. I've had them before and they sometimes became very uncomfortable, so much so it was too painful to ride for a few days. There is only one solution to rid yourself of them: stop biking immediately, drive to work in a SUV, eat sausage mcmuffins and talk on the cell phone along the way and when you get home, spend all your time channel surfing while flaked out on the couch. Just kidding: ask your doctor if there is a lotion or salve that will prevent discomfort.

Good ol saddle sores. Had one ounce the size of a... Any ways to get rid of them use a antibacteria cream like polysporin on them. Get rid of the gel saddle it just adds friction to that area and wear clean shorts on every ride. Theres been many post on the subject do a search for more advice.

This will be hard to diagnose without pictures. Please post pics.

This will be hard to diagnose without pictures. Please post pics.

No cheeky pic posting please.

Get yourself some Body Glide.
http://www.bodyglide.com/skin/skin.html
This stuff really works. Also, buy better cycling shorts. You are wearing cycling shorts, right?

It sounds like an incipient case (ie can get much worse) of what enduro motorcyclists refer to as "monkeybutt" as in fluorescent red howler monkey butt. Usually relates to not getting the persperation out of there. You aren't wearing gel padded shorts are you? Some of those have just about zero wicking capability. good luck!

Check this thread out: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=60931&highlight=saddle+sores

It seems more likely they would be pimples or pimple clusters due to perspiration and being trapped in a confined area.

-- YES THAT'S IT -- They are sort of like big blind zits that don't come to a white head (sorry for being gross) but you nailed it

Also someone suggested not to wear underwear on these long rides ... does that make any sense??

from about.com ....



Preventing Saddle Sores
Saddle sores are painful, but they don't have to be a part of your biking life. While it's true that many new or infrequent riders will experience them, even the more experienced rider can have saddle sores, particularly if you neglect your hygiene or equipment.

The first rule of thumb is to find a high quality saddle that fits you. My wife found out the hard way as she rode on a man's saddle once, that it's not a pleasant experience. Your saddle should keep your body stable, and yet absorb your weight. Be aware of overly soft or wide saddles, they can cause chafing.

Once you've found a good saddle, you need to make sure it's placed properly on your bike. It shouldn't be too high or too low or angled incorrectly. All of these things can cause saddle sores.

What you wear will also influence saddle sores. Your shorts should be dry and clean. I also advise that you don't wear underwear while riding, as it can rub you the wrong way. The shorts with the natural chamois liner will help with air circulation.

You should always wash your shorts after every ride. You can even dry your shorts in the sun, because the ultraviolet radiation will help kill bacteria. This is but another good reason to have more than one pair of shorts.

As for riding technique, try riding out of the saddle over any rough spots, like railroad tracks, etc. And stand up to ride a few minutes out of every hour you spend riding to allow for better air circulation.

If you get a saddle sore, the best thing for it is good hygiene. Wash it with an antibacterial soap, and wear clean underwear. Also make sure you keep you crotch dry and free of salves, failing to do this can actually cause the bacteria to stay alive.

Also someone suggested not to wear underwear on these long rides ... does that make any sense??

Where is the Underwear Nazi when we need him most???

Never, NEVER, NEVER wear underwear under your cycling shorts. Cycling shorts work best when there is nothing else blocking the moisture transport. They are specially designed to keep all seams out of the areas where you sit. I'm guessing that your underwear are cotton. Cotton loves to retain water. By having a wad of wet cotton between your bum and the seat, you are chafing your butt to death, causing these saddle sores.

Ditch the underwear, wear clean shorts every day, get rid of the gel saddle, and make sure that the saddle is properly oriented.

Also see Sheldon Brown's "Bicycle Saddles" article (http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html).

Buy a tin of Assos Chamois Cream. You'll never go back to riding without it. The stuff is absolute magic.