i bought a bike....when will my arse recover?

[vicarinatutu]

since i moved closer to work i decided to cycle in....its 6 miles each way but not all on the flat.
i got a mens road bike after several hours of trying them out for size/fit etc but the shop wouldnt swap the saddle for a womans.
im in process of swapping the saddle (when it arrives) but i began using the bike straight away for commuting and will be using it daily.
i bought gel padded cycling shorts and all associated gear.

my question.:
WHEN will i be able to sit down? seriiously - my bottom feels bruised. the pot holes in the road have me wincing....

how long does it take to get used to it and will i? the oddest thing is that the things that hurt arent necessarily what i thought would hurt! because its a road bike my hands ache from the position i ride in...

its my thumbs and my bottom that hurt!

when will my bottom get used to it?
thanks

[Sid77]

A saddle designed for ladies will help enormously - even then it may still be sore for a few days till your behind gets used to it. Good padded shorts and a proper saddle are what you need and what you've got so well done!

[CMOTDibbler]

It'll take a couple of weeks to acclimatise to it all. But don't go through pot holes (bad for your wheels) and when the road is a bit rough, stand up from the saddle a bit. And use your core muscles so you aren't leaning on your hands.

Oh, and the shorts are to be worn next to the skin..

[goshdarnit]

I started riding my bike to and from work in October, my goodness, I feel fitter!
The bottom aches took about a week to settle down, but I have a sit-up-and-beg old lady bike and saddle.
I wasn't expecting the thumb ache from changing gears, though.
i didn't ride much in January after I fell off in an undignified heap on black ice, and after I started up every day again, the thumb ache returned, but the sore bum was only there for one day.
it will get better, and think of how many walnuts you'll be able to crack in your newly muscled thighs!

[vicarinatutu]

the hills are a KILLER.....i think i could walk faster but hey....gotta start somewhere.

saddle on way and shorts are very padded and yep....realised that they are worn with no knickers though that was a shock i can tell you!

im determined to continue but my bottom bones are soooooo hurty....glad to hear it should settle down.

[pileoflaundry]

I found a gel saddle cover softer than padded shorts whilst my backside got used to cycling. They're heavy though.

A folded hand towel on the saddle (or down the trousers if you're brave/desperate) helps too.

realised that they are worn with no knickers though that was a shock i can tell you!

I've never been able to cope with this, especially on cycling holidays where I carried all my stuff on the bike (as if I was going to buy and pack 7 pairs of huge padded shorts). I found that seamless short-style (short, not hot pant) wicking techno-knickers worked fine, no chaffing or pain, and very quick to dry after a wash.

[cruikshank]

When I've had times of being off my bike for whatever reason, I've found the saddle-soreness takes about a week to stop. So you're nearly there! Yay!

[vicarinatutu]

how ive not killed myself yet i have no idea....i wobble. and im on very very dark country lanes that are windy and horrible.

i ache tonight.