Some newbie things

wiggles said:

Alright, these things are a little embarassing to me, so I figure the best way to get it "out there" and answered is to just ask, so here goes (and please be gentle!)

...Does it mean that I'm using my butt muscles and they're slowly chiseling into that glorious cyclist butt that I always wanted? Will it stop hurting?

Can't help you there - if it isn't gone after the first week you may have an issue with your saddle.

wiggles said:

Secondly and somewhat related, ever since I was really little and I had my old single speed bmx, I have never been able to stand on a bike. Only recently have I REALLY started riding. I plan to get rid of my Jeep soon, since it constantly breaks down, and just ride my bike. I've been making strides towards that out of necessity. Everywhere I go riding, I see kids standing on their bikes, or experienced cyclists. However, when I attempt to stand up, my legs get extremely shakey, and I sit right back down. Most of the time I don't even have control over it, its like a reflex. Is this something that comes with time? Or do I just have to keep forcing myself to try it until eventually I can stay standing?
Thanks guys... I appreciate it.
~wiggles~

Lean forward over the handlebars when you're standing - most people do it to climb hills or sprint - I'd keep practicing, it might be easier to try it on uphills, leaning forward, to get your confidence up. If you've got enough leg power to go up a hill, you've got plenty to stand I think.

cheers,
dave.

Regarding issue 1. There could be many reasons why your butt hurts, but is it a muscle (Gluteus Maximus) problem or does your butt feel like its been hit with a bat? If its muscle related, one problem may be an oversized bike. My forst bike was too big and I sat strange in the saddle and subconsciously, I was taking weight off my butt by clenching my butt muscles and hamstrings. I noticed that after I bought a better fitting bike this went away.

As for issue 2. Practice will cure that. I remember standing on the bike trying to sprint for the first time and I thought the entire bike was gunna end up a twisted wreck around my neck... Nothing takes the place of time on the bike...

Well for number 1, it mostly feels like I got wailed across the bum with a bat, as you put it. Its sort of a bruised feeling I guess. Maybe I should take a look at a new saddle? I'm also a bit heavier than the average cyclist (250 on the dot... still 30 lbs til I hit my goal weight).

I'm guessing for number 2 I'm just going to have to wait until I can get my confidence up. Then maybe I won't have to take 6 minutes to go up a medium grade hill, lol. I had to ride back and forth from school and work about 4 times today (like I said, its replacing my car since I do almost all small commutes - maybe 1-2 miles; plus its also helping me to lose weight), so every time I went I tried to stand at least a little bit. I noticed its a good bit easier to do it while I'm going slower than when I'm breezing down hill.

Your weight is a factor in both issues.

Your sore backside will also be to do with your position on the bike and your saddle. When you sell your car use some of the money to get a professional to set up your position and find a saddle that suits you. If you don't get these two things right you will never be comfortable and will probably give up riding.

The standing up thing sounds like a confidence issue. When you relax and get used to it, it will get easier.... But everything will start getting better when you stop being fat.

Good Luck. Jay

As for the sore rear issue, When I was only doing 5 mile rides, I didn't have any problems. When I started doing 10 mile rides, it became a real issue. After making several seat adjustments (moving seat forward and back and adjusting the angle) it became very tolerable. And then improved with time. Then when I doubled that distance it once again became an issue, This time the fix was another saddle.

Then I got a new bike and the saddle became an issue again because I increased my distance again. I first went with padded shorts. That helped for 30 mile rides. But when I started 50 mile rides the pain returned. I shopped around and bought another saddle. This one fits me perfect. very little discomfort on long rides. Although for the first few miles I didn't think so. It needed some break-in time.

But in order to get rid of all pain it takes several things. First: you need the right saddle for you. It has a lot to do with fitting your "sit bones". This is more trial and error, although I hear some "specialized" dealers have a device that measures the distance between you sit bones for a more customized fit. Second:Try a little extra padding by using padded shorts. Third: the right adjustments to your saddle. Forth: the way you ride your bike. You have to get off the saddle once or twice a mile starting with the FIRST MILE. Don't wait until you feel discomfort to start. Even in the most comforable chair gets hard if you don't change position every once in a while. When you're going downhill, pedal the top third, then stand and coast the middle of the hill, and then sit and start pedaling torwards the bottom of the hill to gain speed to help carry you up the next hill. For up hill, standing and pedaling with too high a cadence is tiring and you feel unsteady. I sit until I'm around one third of the way from the top or 100-150 feet from the top of the steep ones. Then I upshift 2 gears and then stand and pedal. I'ts a slower cadence in that higher gear, but I get good acceleration and the pedaling is more rythmic and steadier. Try practicing by standing and pedaling in higher gears. mean if your maintaining speed in say fourth gear, upshift to 6th or 7th and stand and pedal for 3 or 4 pedal strokes, when you start getting comfortable with that try it for 5 or 6 strokes. And very quickly you'll find yourself strating to get a and rythm and using more power. Also getting clipless pedals may make you more steady when standing (but that's another thread).

I hope it goes well for you, remember. What counts is you are enjoying yourself.

RussB