I'm on a tour from Melbourne to Perth at the moment. I'm currently 10 days in and my butt is still sore. I was hoping to have adjusted by now and not have to be wearing padded shorts by the second week but it's hardly improving.
I've had a pro bike fit done on this bike previously and other than changing from drop bars to Surly Molokos I've kept the setup the same. I lowered them a little and it slightly eased the saddle pain but now I'm getting hand numbness 🤦.
I was commuting to and from work at least 3 times a week before I started (roughly 15km).
I can accept the muscle soreness in my quads as that's just me getting older and weaker after not playing sport the last few years, by the saddle pain is a concern. It's the bruising/aching type, not saddle sores. (That's one of the reason I want to get down to just shorts and merino underwear for the desert part of the trip).
I've attached a photo of the saddle, it was fitted for me but I'm starting to thing maybe it's not fit for touring?
Am I just soft and need to toughen up and wait a longer time to adjust or should I try a new saddle while on the road (with a dwindling budget 😬).
Any advice appreciated 🐑
by Visible-Tip-9778
4 Comments
Generally when I start another long tour after being sedentary for a while it takes a bit to become comfortable. I’ve ridden from Perth to Cairns via Tasmania and I think I was pretty much uncomfortable for the first month. I’m definitely not an expert though, so don’t take my word for it.
I’m about 7 months into a tour of SE Asia right now and I had a lot of aches and pains early on this time round that my body just sort of adapted to.
I’ve tried that power saddle before and personally I found it a bit unforgiving for anything but the smoothest of roads. I reckon it’s definitely designed to be used with padded shorts, but I’m sure many people go without.
Not much advice here but good luck, that’s a decent ride! 🙂 hope your ass adapts, in the meantime I’d recommend purposefully stand up peddling even some flat sections to change up the position and give it a rest. Found that helped me when I did Melbourne to Sydney.
Brooks saddle upgrade would be a welcome change my friend.
4000km in France it took about 2/3 weeks before i felt OK. Never really felt good haha