As you get used to being in the saddle for longer periods of time, it's inevitable that you'll experience some soreness where the sun don't shine. However, wearing a good-quality pair of cycling shorts, riding a suitable saddle and making sure your bike is fit properly can make the difference between tears of joy and pain.

Don't cheap out on shorts

Those $50 shorts may be okay for booting around the city for an hour, but they won't cut it for the distances that we'll be riding. Ultimately, you get what you pay for when it comes to cycling shorts. I have come up with a helpful equation for measuring the comfort gained by a pair of shorts:

Price of shorts in $ = km of riding comfort

And there you have it - all clothing manufacturers have their own high-end models and everyone has their own personal preference, but for the most part, if you pay $130 on a pair of shorts you'll be able to ride for 130km without wincing. Of course, this assumes that your bicycle has been properly fitted to you and that you have a decent saddle (see below).

For some people, it may seem crazy to spend over $100 on a pair of shorts, but you'll get a far more comfortable shammy. You'll also get superior stitching and panel construction that will last far longer than cheaper models, so in the long run, you're not really spending more money as you won't have to replace them as frequently. Besides, you're going to be spending a lot of time on your bike - isn't your butt worth it?

Your new shorts should be quite snug – the lycra and elastic will soon stretch with wear. If your shorts aren’t tight enough to begin with, the shammy will eventually shift around, causing chafing, and the crotch may sag and get caught on the front of your saddle. So don’t be shy – make sure those shorts are skintight!  And  - this comes up all the time – don’t wear underwear under your cycling shorts!  Cycling shorts are designed and made specifically to not be worn with underwear.

Find a good saddle

Finding the right saddle is a very personal thing. Some cyclists will go through a few saddles before they find the perfect one for them. A cut-away in the middle is helpful - gel can also be good but it really depends on preference. Talk to an experienced salesperson and make sure that they are aware of the distances that you will be travelling.Make sure your bike fits you correctly

Seat angle can also have a dramatic affect on riding comfort. The part of the saddle that you sit on should be level to the ground. If it's angled back too much it will put pressure on your nether regions, and not in a nice way. Also, make sure that your handlebars aren't more than 6-8cm lower than your saddle if you do a lot of long rides.

Here's more infomation on saddles and how to make your ride more comfortable. 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 May 2008 10:01