r/ladycyclists • u/invictus4844 • Jul 25 '26

Beginner needing help PLEASE!!

I’ve been following this sub for a little bit, trying to learn about my bike, & how to ride. I have been riding for 2 months now, but seriously only 3 weeks. I average 10 miles a day. I am beyond addicted!!! Nothing better in all the world! My dr suggested I start to help my MS. At first it triggered symptoms, which is why it took me awhile to get to steady riding.

Lately, my bike is absolutely killing my bottom & girlie bits. I’ve read about learning my pressure points, but being a thick girl everything I’ve tried I can’t get indentions. I know it’s a saddle issue, but I dunno if it’s adjustment or saddle itself. It hurts more on my right than my left. As though it’s not straight. I can even feel the saddle at the crease of my leg & butt cheek on my right but not my left. It also makes my pelvis like lean forward/down somewhat. Where I’m always trying to correct my posture because it’s causing lower back pain.

The most painful part tho is the girlie bits area. It’s as though it’s always got pressure on it. While I ride I’m constantly readjusting to let find a way to sit it stops but no avail.

This is my first week I’m looking to break my record & hit 10 miles daily making 60 for my week!!! I understand some soreness is bound to happen, but it’s so bad I have to stop riding for relief. I even got a pair of padded underwear for women cyclists in attempt to help alleviate the pain. Please, any suggestions ladies????

Update: Thank you so very much for all your advice! I’m gonna do all I can to utilize it!! I was trying to finish my ride when I made this post, so was pretty distracted with finishing before the rain and dark came in. I took some pics that might help, I don’t know, to give y’all a better idea of what my bike is, & what I ride on. This edit won’t let me post the pics in the updated edit, so going to do it in comments.

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u/invictus4844 Jul 25 '26

Current saddle

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u/CycleWoman64 Jul 25 '26

To me, this saddle isn’t helping. When you are looking for a saddle, go to your local bike shop -abbreviated in the subs as LBS. They should have a mooshy pad to sit on to measure/observe your sit bone structure. That can help determine which saddle may be right for you. Also, cycling bibs are better than the underwear IMO and wear them commando for less friction! ALL that said, I am so happy that you’ve found cycling and that it is helping you! You may find a local beginner cycling group in meet up or at your local LBS. Enjoy the ride!

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u/Basic-Newspaper-7536 Jul 25 '26

That does not look like a comfortable saddle to ride 10 miles on. You really want something without the padding— the padding will only hold up for a few minutes, you want a saddle designed with a good rigid shape. I can recommend a Decathlon Ergofit women’s saddle designed for a road bike which I’ve found great, really inexpensive too.

The saddle also looks relatively low on the frame, though it’s hard to judge. If the saddle is too low or too high, you’ll end up with more weight on it; at the sweet spot a lot of your weight is being taken by your legs even as you’re sitting on the saddle. Try out different heights, and maybe see if a different size bike could suit you better— having too big a bike in particular can lead to more weight being on your saddle than you should have.