Jewbacca Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 So this weekend, did a 60km gentle ride. 62km, avg 16.5 HR at 123, climbing 530. Sunday did 4 passes, 135km, 1abg 14.7, HR just hit zone 2 at 131.(https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/163810-4-passes/?source=lfp) BUT! My ride is in severe jeopardy. I just cannot get my saddle to feel comfy. Meaning after 30km on both rides the pain starts, and by 50km I feel like someone has put hot coals with cacti needles on my seat bones. This morning I was chatting to the physio about a knee problem and she suggested xrays, as what I described to her she said does not sound right. So currently I am looking at my options. I do not want to get to the start line knowing that within 100km I will already be suffering. Yes I accept that suffering is part of this event. But given what happened on Sunday, I reckon I could make 600km max and then my ride would be over. So now I am just waiting on a few options.How many saddles have you tried? I know most cycle labs and other bigger shops have fizik test saddles. I would recommend taking 4 with you and testing them all on a weekend. The same with other brands. I had a Prologo Nago saddle which felt like I was sitting on clouds for years. No sores or chaffe etc through Freedom Challenge and multiple AR's... I bent a railand after much testing fell in love with the WTB hight tail AM saddle. Apparantly it is hard as concrete but feels like heaven to me.... Don't be afraid to test.... It isnt working now and not doing anything won't suddenly make it work.
Monark Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 So this weekend, did a 60km gentle ride. 62km, avg 16.5 HR at 123, climbing 530. Sunday did 4 passes, 135km, 1abg 14.7, HR just hit zone 2 at 131.(https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/163810-4-passes/?source=lfp) BUT! My ride is in severe jeopardy. I just cannot get my saddle to feel comfy. Meaning after 30km on both rides the pain starts, and by 50km I feel like someone has put hot coals with cacti needles on my seat bones. This morning I was chatting to the physio about a knee problem and she suggested xrays, as what I described to her she said does not sound right. So currently I am looking at my options. I do not want to get to the start line knowing that within 100km I will already be suffering. Yes I accept that suffering is part of this event. But given what happened on Sunday, I reckon I could make 600km max and then my ride would be over. So now I am just waiting on a few options. go to specialised and get them to measure your bum and then get them to spec a saddle for endurance and comfort... their saddles are great... or try a fizik gobi...
Monark Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 an then match the saddle to Assos Cento bib shorts....
GaryvdM Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 What would I have done differently? Simply: not get sick. What have done different for 2017 is reduce my 'training' distances dramatically (I am a junk-mileage whore once I get started) and rather spend a lot of time collapsing into a heap doing strength training. This is more because I don't have the time to spend on the bike this time round - which is possibly a blessing - apparently this is the way it should be done. We will see. Many riders who are doing ultra distance races are reaching the same conclusion. Max 4hr rides in your weekly schedule, with only a couple long rides through the year for equipment testing and learning about your body and mind in those situations. e.g. http://www.murray-white.net/ultra/trainingLD.html For TABR 2015, I was doing a 120km - 140km (road) ride weekly and a 200km ride monthly. I now realised that I was overdoing it, and it lead to burnout. My plan for 2017 is less quantity, more quality, and better periodization planing.
Slowbee Posted October 25, 2016 Author Posted October 25, 2016 The extreme lights are a GREAT deal ! https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/articles/sponsored/extreme-lights-news-and-special-offers-r5736?source=topic
Slowbee Posted October 25, 2016 Author Posted October 25, 2016 How many saddles have you tried? I know most cycle labs and other bigger shops have fizik test saddles. I would recommend taking 4 with you and testing them all on a weekend. The same with other brands. I had a Prologo Nago saddle which felt like I was sitting on clouds for years. No sores or chaffe etc through Freedom Challenge and multiple AR's... I bent a railand after much testing fell in love with the WTB hight tail AM saddle. Apparantly it is hard as concrete but feels like heaven to me.... Don't be afraid to test.... It isnt working now and not doing anything won't suddenly make it work.I have been on three different specialised saddles, two sella italia, and am currently waiting on a test scoop. I went to a local physio who also cycles, and she pointed me to a biokinetist who also cycles. He heard what I had to say, and asked to look at the areas (lucky could leave my jocks on) and has made me an appointment for an xray. They both said, that something is not right, and it might have nothing to do with the saddle. With less than 6 weeks to go things are looking very bleak and I am not a happy camper right now. Kranswurm may have called it right. Time is very much against me right now. Physio is working on the knee and said it should be ok, but will need strapping of I am going to ride 1100km on the trot. I have some big decisions to make.
Sepia Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 Not nice Slowbee.Bum (excuse the pun) situation to be in. Hope you find out what is the best option?
Pulse Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 I have been on three different specialised saddles, two sella italia, and am currently waiting on a test scoop. I went to a local physio who also cycles, and she pointed me to a biokinetist who also cycles. He heard what I had to say, and asked to look at the areas (lucky could leave my jocks on) and has made me an appointment for an xray. They both said, that something is not right, and it might have nothing to do with the saddle. With less than 6 weeks to go things are looking very bleak and I am not a happy camper right now. Kranswurm may have called it right. Time is very much against me right now. Physio is working on the knee and said it should be ok, but will need strapping of I am going to ride 1100km on the trot. I have some big decisions to make.Slowbee, perhaps also look at getting some descent ultrasounds done. X-rays may pick up something, but if its soft tissue related (which sounds more likely), c-rays won't show anything. Don't know where you're based, but perhaps look at seeing a Sports Physician to help diagnose.
Bloukrans Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 Ag no man! Slowbee, I really hope they fix you in time. Just reading your updates made me excited about the Munga! Sterkte!!
Grantc Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 Slowbee....have you tried a Brookes saddle. I used one on RASA. Best move I made with regards to comfort on the bike
RocknRolla Posted October 25, 2016 Posted October 25, 2016 Ai Tog slowbee, not nice to get news like this so close. Hope you get it sorted.
Slowbee Posted October 26, 2016 Author Posted October 26, 2016 I have been given a life line. I called an expert long distance rider and it was suggested I get a WTB saddle. Something with loooooooong distance in mind. Not long distance as in it is over in a day. Get a saddle designed for ultra long events. Someone else advised to buy new shorts. Move away from the brand I am on, to another brand. So going to go with Santini. But have Ciovita shorts being delivered as well. There is hope. Lets see how the weekend goes.
SilverRider Posted October 26, 2016 Posted October 26, 2016 Hi Slowbee Which saddle from WTB do you have in mind?
Kranswurm Posted October 26, 2016 Posted October 26, 2016 I have been given a life line. I called an expert long distance rider and it was suggested I get a WTB saddle. Something with loooooooong distance in mind. Not long distance as in it is over in a day. Get a saddle designed for ultra long events. Someone else advised to buy new shorts. Move away from the brand I am on, to another brand. So going to go with Santini. But have Ciovita shorts being delivered as well. There is hope. Lets see how the weekend goes.They are fairly soft saddles.Had one moons ago and it was comfortable.Bit soft for my liking.Sella you can keep.FIZIK Gobi s the best for me...and the Ariane i think it is Oh..and Spez saddles break which you do NOT want on your little jauntHappened to me one third of the way into Hell and Back
Eddie Stafford Posted October 26, 2016 Posted October 26, 2016 I have been given a life line. I called an expert long distance rider and it was suggested I get a WTB saddle. Something with loooooooong distance in mind. Not long distance as in it is over in a day. Get a saddle designed for ultra long events. Someone else advised to buy new shorts. Move away from the brand I am on, to another brand. So going to go with Santini. But have Ciovita shorts being delivered as well. There is hope. Lets see how the weekend goes. Slowbee, I fully agree with the WTB saddle choice. A friend and I went through a number of saddles last year to find the right saddles for the R2R, 361 and the Desert Dash. I ended up with the WTB Volt and he is using the WTB Rocket. The WTB Pure is also worth considering. The cheaper models are soft, but from the Pro level upwards they are firm. The Volt is also available in different widths. I think the WTB together with Brooks are the most used saddles in the Tour Divide. Salsa bikes also uses WTB saddles for all their bikes. As far as I know, the WTB distributor is based in Durban or PM and he was happy to send saddles to my mate in Cape Town to try out. Good luck.
Slowbee Posted October 26, 2016 Author Posted October 26, 2016 Hi Slowbee Which saddle from WTB do you have in mind?I am going to try the rocket, maybe even the comfort, just depends on the stock. Spoke to the CT rep and he is busy looking around for me. Why ?
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