Ouch! What helps a sore arse?

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

I've just started cycling to work again six months after knee surgery thanks to my lovely new electric bike. My knee's fine but a week and a half in my bum is soooo sore

It takes about an hour each way and by the time I got home tonight I was not happy... there's one main pressure point but it's all pretty sore

What are your top tips for bum-friendly cycling?

change the saddle? There are various gel-topped saddles around. You might fit a wider one but I think you'll need to sit on some to see. Female saddles are different from male ones.

There used to be "mattress" saddles but they are so totally unsporting in appearance than no-one in lycra would be seen dead on one.

It is very easy to change a saddle.

Definitely a woman's saddle, try a few out if you want. I've ended up with a much more comfy saddle than the rest of the bike would warrant, the sort of thing PigletJohn wouldn't be seen dead with .

Chamois cream on the bum, although probably not in this weather as it would be really sticky and sweaty, but in general it's great for reducing friction on longer rides (as long as you can wash at the end).

Get someone in a bike shop (or a keen cyclist friend) to check your seating position. Or, if you're too embarrassed, at least look on YouTube to see what out should be like.

Good shorts, and a saddle that fits you - I need a cut out for instance - and don't assume a padded saddle will make things better. Padding actually increases the soft tissue contact rather than you sitting on your sit bones.

What exactly is sore? If things chafe you can get soft tissue sores which are horrid

Agree with PP re saddle and possibly changing it. I prefer a narrow firm saddle rather than a gel covered wide saddle. Over more chafing with a wider saddle.

The soreness may also be down to using your muscles in a different way. I can cycle 100 miles no problem but get me to run for the bus and I hurt!

It's a narrow, firm saddle and there's one small spot (on the right hand side) which feels like it's bruised.

I've not found padded shorts to be that helpful in the past as they tend to start chafing - at the moment everything around my vulva is fine and I'd like it to stay that way!

Specialised do a saddle fit - at our LBS you sit on a special cushion for a few minutes which forms to the shape of your bum. When you stand up you can see what size and fit saddle would suit you best. Also padded shorts, chamois cream and a bike fit would all help. If you get a "rubbing" sore (rather than seat bone ache) then Lansinoh ointment (or similar - for sore nipples when breastfeeding) is great. And less messy than sudocrem. Well done for getting back on your bike!

Cross post! Padded shorts shouldn't chafe - you may need to try different ones to get a comfy fit for you. I like Altura pads and can't get on with expensive Le Col ones.

I like a vvv firm saddle. You do have to take the shape of pads in shorts into account. My poor DD is now in a women's size 8 in bike clothes - wiggle's pads are so wide in some of their stuff that they really rubbed her - I measured the pad against mine which are generally a size 14 - they were the same size.

I dealt with it in a coffee shop - I actually cut through the stitching attaching the pad, four rows of overlocking sort of stitching, and removed it for the ride home.

Also I'm sure you know this but you don't wear underwear under your padded shorts. That will definitely cause chafing.

I find having the nose of the saddle pointing down rather than flat helps with pressure sores.

I gave up cycling pretty much because I couldn't get comfortable. I didn't have chafing, just felt like i'd been kicked in the clunge after (and during) even a short cycle. Is there a way around that? I use padded shorts and have tried a couple of different saddles but to no avail. Didn't know that Specialised to a saddle fit, might be worth looking into.