Um, it would appear that after Saturday's long ride on the road bike, I've got cystitis. Yes, I know there are other ways of getting it - but the bike is the only factor this time! Anatomically ladies' urinary equipment is in the firing line of the harshness of the seat and so the urethra gets crushed and causes some temporary inflammation. You ladies who have been doing this cycling thing for a while, how do you reduce the chances of this happening and what do you do to improve it when it does...? Am I the only person who this happens to..? At the moment I'm drinking lots and the pain is settling but I'm a bit wary of going out on the road bike again just yet. I'm going to get my ATB out and sit on the sofa that has!
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Now, if anyone can recommend a good pair of cycling shorts/comfortable saddle that doesn't leave me swollen after long rides...
Wearing cotton helps to prevent it and may be a pee stop during your ride as peeing flushes the toxins away?
Got saddle and good shorts. Maybe Cranberry juice in the water bottle too ;~)
blech... cranberry juice.
So okay, I give in - good suggestion there Count will put cranberry juice in the bottles and I probably need more fluids actually. Do you guys drink even if you don't feel thirsty out on a ride...?
I've got a decent saddle I think - it's got a groove down the middle... I think what happened at the weekend was it was so wet and muddy the saddle groove had filled with particles of mud (only just recalled that when reading 2T's suggestion). Hhhm.. might need mud guards.
I was cycling on the turbo on Saturday and after about 40 minutes I realised that I had absolutely no feeling in my bits. I've never had that much loss of sensation before. I've just started getting used to my aero bars so could it be due to me adopting a more aero position? I do feel like I'm stretched out a bit too much. Would a shorter stem allow me to sit back on my bottom a bit more or is a different saddle the answer?
Cath - the cystopurin things are quite effective (if a little rank tasting), and you should be drinking even if not thirsty. You'll sweat more in winter than you'd expect, and you use the water for the riding anyway.
I got lots of good advice here. Haven't done much cycling (er, any acksherly) since, so I haven't tried the tips out, but there may be something there to help.
[passes Cath large soft cushion]
Make sure you hydrate properly when you finish too.
A good (£50+) pair of shorts is worth the cash, so invest in a decent pair. Don't know what girlies do for under their shorts...but blokes go comando.
ROFL.. sorry had to get that in somewhere!
Thing is this cystitis thingy started today a day or so after the bliddy bike ride. The actual position on the saddle seems okay because I've not had any chafing or any inner-thigh aching (not like I get on the ATB anyway). Will increase fluids when out on the bike - think that might have been part of the problem. Will have to try the cranberry supplements though and something in the drink to take the bitterness away.
cheers chaps!
)
¦oD
(The alternative of not looking forwards is not something I'd recommend......)