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Ever since I returned to cycling in 1990, I've always had what you'd call an "Iron Bottom". I could sit on any saddle, all day, and never have even a hint of a problem.
But now I have a classic case of Saddle Sores.
It started a couple rides ago, when I would get a little discomfort in my perineum, (the skin between the base of the thighs) near the end of my rides. But I just thought it was my old frozen Selle Italia Flite saddle. It's pretty old and hard as a rock, and it's even harder when it's below freezing.
I knew nothing about saddle sores. But, with the help of the interweb, I am now slightly educated.
The best information I found was by an MD at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota.
I learned there are 4 types of saddle sores:
1... Ischial tuberosity pain: Pain in "sit bones".
2... Chafing.
3... Folliculitis and Furuncles: Infection of a hair follicle. And A boil.
4... Skin ulceration: A lesion.
And there are 4 causes:
1... Pressure.
2... Shear. (Friction along with stretching of the skin)
3... Moisture.
4... Temperature.
Here is a link to the very informative, and excellent paper.
www.liquicell.com/assets/pdf/Saddle%20Sores%20(P.%20Kortebein).pdf
"Bicycling Life" also had a good article called, "Ouch, My butt hurts!"
www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/Sore.htm
My sore looks like a open cut in the skin, about 1.5 inches long.
I've been treating it, And I've noticed some improvement. But I'm not sure if I'll be ready to ride this weekend.
I did order one of those saddles with the cut-out slot down the middle. I found one on sale, for a low price ($26), just in case I don't like it. And, like a true weight weenie, I even found one that is light too!
If it arrives before the weekend, I may have to try it it out.
I hope you never get saddle sores! Ride On!
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  Great blog post and links KK but when I saw that "Warning..Saddle sore ahead" thing I was afraid to look any further down the page if you get my drift. Thanks for sparing us! 
Anyway, having different saddles on my bikes has prevented the problem for me. If I stick to any one of the 3 different saddles for all my riding, I get the chaffing and follicle problem.
Good luck
posted by Sagebum on
1/5/2010
at 11:41:12 PM
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 Likewise!!! Even on a recumbent once I did get "shear" ouchies. I created the "Slo Joe Tuck". Email me and I'll 'splain. It works!!
posted by Slo_Joe on
1/6/2010
at 10:13:06 AM
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 Hey KK, the latest roadbikerider.com newsletter covers this topic http://www.roadbikerider.com/. I have found from lots of experience that a saddle that works on the road, may not be the best one for indoors. However, before making changes in equipment, consider trying a Quintana Roo saddle pad. It can make all the difference in the world! Indoor riding produces an inordinate amount of sweating, and I'm convinced this has a lot to do with the problem. Also, on trainer, you don't stand much to give that tissue a break. Lube up before riding. Get out of those wet shorts as fast as you can, & consider a hot bath (as hot as you can stand), water won't have to be too deep. If all else fails, a visit to the Dr can get an rx for one of several different antibiotics that should help.
Rick
posted by velosaurusrex on
1/14/2010
at 10:52:22 PM
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Good ideas here.....so how is your weakend doing these days? 
posted by Sagebum on
1/17/2010
at 11:08:29 AM
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The cut out not likely to help this type of saddle sore. I got a neoprene saddle cover from Performance a while back made by Quintana Roo, seems they have their own now, and that extra coush helps to both prevent the problem, as well as allow it to resolve quicker naturally. Lost count of how many of those I have had, change out of cycling shorts IMMEDIATELY after a ride and shower too.
The Immortal Sean Kelly had to drop out of the Vuelta de Espana late 70's, very early 80's with two days to go and in the lead du to saddle sores, they can really bite, even the big boys!
Velosaurus Rex.
posted by velosaurusrex on
5/15/2011
at 8:05:55 PM
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