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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.
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