Saddle Sores

[Torbjorn]

It may also help if you have the possibility to switch between bikes with different saddles. That may offload the specific area and allow it to heal.

[MarkoP]

What kind of sores? Abrasion type from chaffing, or painful bumps like cysts?
The former suggests movement and the latter too much pressure on a particular spot. If it's abrasion it's best to find the source of the movement. Failing that load up with chamois cream (see below). If it's the latter go for more padding. Assos GTS are worth a try. And new bibshorts can make a big difference. If they have a lot of miles on them don't use them for long rides. Experimenting with different saddles can also solve it but that can be a super expensive rabbit hole.

Painful bumps. I've tried all of the above except Assos GTS, I will give them a go. Thanks.

Slow getting back here - sorry. I had this affliction off and on for about a year following a season in which I rode more than 30,000km. I assumed the excessive saddle time did some tissue damage that made me vulnerable. I ride a bit less now and have switched to a softer padded saddle and have had no problems for about two years. I did once read an article that described these strange cycling cysts - can't locate it now but the article noted that the first sign is a tiny red bump on the skin surface that is disproportionately painful for what is little more than a red dot on your skin. Then, a few days later a "cyst" forms much deeper under the skin. I didn't always get the red dot first, sometime a hard mass under the skin about the size of half a pea would just form. It was interesting that it wasn't always under the sit bones but it was in the area. I don't think these bumps were any kind of infection. No redness and only sitting on it would cause discomfort. A bacterial infection would likely have triggered discomfort off the bike. Neither did it appear that any in-grown hair or hair folicle issue was involved. It's weird.

As for a solution, the smart move is don't ride. If you catch the problem early they can disappear in a few days. Other times they can persist for several weeks. What you want to avoid is toughing it out and having one of these things really get huge like the size of a big grape. On occasion when I have had no choice but to ride, I have gone with double bibshorts. That's double Assos, so a serious level of padding. I figure that if I can't feel it I am not doing much damage. I once had one resolve itself after a couple of days of riding in double bibshorts. As an ongoing precaution, I also use a heavy layer of chamois cream at all times and re-apply after 4 hours. Another tactic is to use an Infinity saddle. They look strange but completely eliminate the problem and are very comfortable for most people. It is not a coincedence that many RAAM competitors use them. I have a spare if you want one. Ultimately if you stay off the bike these things will be re-absorbed by the body.

Similar to what I've been dealing with over the past year. It's deep inside and more of a lump. Generally doesn't flare up but now that I'm getting to indoor 4 ish hour rides it's starting to get tender again.

I do a decent amount of miles (~20-22k kilometers a year) and I suspect I'd need some proper time off the bike to heal...but then I don't know if it's deep in there and would just come back with volume

[forklifter]

I have numbness in my genitals with every ride and different saddles. Outdoors and indoors. Indoors is worse. For example, my genitals are completely numb and without feeling after 2 hours indoors. I used to think this was normal. I have now realized that this is probably not the case.

Do you have any experience with saddles with a split nose like the ISM when used on a road bike?

[Mr.Gib]

I have numbness in my genitals with every ride and different saddles...I used to think this was normal.

What kind of sport do you think this is? Numb genitals is savage. Your bits and pieces should always feel great - at least Mrs Gib says that mine do.

There are some brands that make saddles that are good candidates to solve the problem and ISM is one. SMP and SQ Lab are others with a good reputation for solving this problem. Unfortunately, sometime a lot of trial and error and $$$$ is required to find the right model.

[Agent041]

I have numbness in my genitals with every ride and different saddles. Outdoors and indoors. Indoors is worse. For example, my genitals are completely numb and without feeling after 2 hours indoors. I used to think this was normal. I have now realized that this is probably not the case.

One good way to reduce numbness is to try to do standing pedaling more and more. At least every couple of minutes.