Bike help!

[FredaFox]

I’ve resurrected my old bike, I need to lose a few stone and have definitely been less active in lockdown so got new tyres and despite being wobbly went out yesterday but god my bum hurts!
I’ve googled and you can now get padded seat covers, Can anybody recommend one?

Never tried one sorry! Usually you'll get used to the new position and the pain goes within three or four rides, maybe try that first and save the pennies ☺️

If it still hurts, look at whether the saddle is the right size for your sit bones. You can measure them by sitting on a piece of tin foil on a carpeted stair and there will be two dents in the tinfoil! Then when you know the distance go online and find out what width of saddle you should be using.

I don't know what style of bike you have, but I have an upright, and I have a wide, sprung style saddle on a Pendleton bike. I have always really struggled for days after longer bike rides, but no more!

The problem with recommending a saddle is that what is great for one person is really uncomfortable for the next. Time really will help. After about four or five rides things will get better. I have a Selle Italia gel flow saddle which I find better than others I've tried.

Thanks all! It’s my 20 year old mountain bike, I’ll give it a few more go’s and see if the discomfort goes.
I’m so out of touch with this type of stuff!

I'm assuming you've got padded shorts on (without underwear underneath), and as someone who also feels the pain I sympathise! I've got a bag of about 10-15 saddles for both my road & mountain bikes in my quest for something which doesn't hurt and doesn't chafe - I must get around to selling them! I've finally arrived at ones which fit - my main tip is, like someone else said - measure your seat bones and make sure you get one the right width, wear padded shorts, and give it a bit of time to get used to it.

The angle of the saddle can make a difference too (front to back), and make sure you have the saddle at the right height. Also try getting out of the seat on down hills etc., to give your bum a break from the sitting.

No no padded shorts, Yesterday was my first time on a bike in probably 10 years (I’ve been on exercise and spin) so I’m really green again, bit wobbly!
Wanted to check I could ride it before buying accessories but I’m up for the challenge after yesterday! I’ll go back out later

Defo worth padded shorts then - I don't ride without, even used them in spin classes. Don't wear underwear under them though - just extra layers to rub :). And cheaper than messing around with saddles until you need to. Also bear in mind if you've bruised your bum a bit, it'll be a bit tender on the bike until it's settled down.

Good advice here. DH and I used to do the full on lycra brigade cycling years ago. Defo padded shorts and no knickers! Don't know if you can still get them, but I also had a padded pair of undershorts so that I could wear normal fashion shorts if I wanted to and still have the padding. Your sit bones should harden off over a few rides and make it less uncomfortable as well. And defo look at saddle width and angle. I had (still got) a gell saddle that is a bit wider than what usually comes as standard. IME, most bike saddles sold with bikes fit men far better than women. Due to our wider hips, our sit bones also tend to be wider apart. That said, DH used to have the same sore arse issues after a lay off!
Well done for getting started, OP, and keep it up.

As a bike rider throughout life I think mountain bikes are the most uncomfortable to ride and put the most pressure on the female anatomy .
I don't know why ,I think it's the position you have to adopt -leaning forward from the base of your spine .

Aww thanks for all the tips, I’m not put off, I’m looking forward to building my confidence

@peridito

As a bike rider throughout life I think mountain bikes are the most uncomfortable to ride and put the most pressure on the female anatomy . I don't know why ,I think it's the position you have to adopt -leaning forward from the base of your spine .

God yes! And female anatomy is so varied - innies, outies, different shapes and sizes. At least on the MTB you tend to move around more (and I use a dropper post) so sat directly on it less than on the roadie!

look for bike gel pads these are what motorbikers put on seats that are on the hard side they are very good