Biking and guy parts

[Kouak]

I love riding my bike. I have never had a fantastic seat. It always starts to become a pain in the rear (pun intended) about 10 miles into the ride. On long rides, I'll sometimes get tingling in my testicles--not a good tingling but more of a foot going to sleep tingling.

I usually stand up on the pedals to give the area a rest. It seems to get the blood flowing again.

I just came back from the Doctor because my vas deferens had a dull ache. He said I had a normal exam and collected my $$. :rolleyes:

A day later, it dawned on me that this could be the result of a long bike ride I had done the previous weekend. I did notice some pulling on my vas deferens on my next bike ride. I did more of the standing up than normal and don't ache now.

Has anyone had similar issues? How have you solved the problem?

[RalphVa]

On Oprah today, she had Dr. Oz. He told about the problem with bicycle seats. He pointed out that there is a major artery that goes between the anus area and the penis. Sitting on normal bicycle seat shuts off flow to the penis, and it becomes numb.

He showed a special seat that has a dip in the area where the body structure between the anus and penis would normally sit. It ensures blood flow.

I've seen other bicycle seats that are a pair of "butt cheek" pads. This would accomplish the same purpose and would likely be the most comfortable.

[Naturist Mark]

Sell your upright bike and buy a recumbent (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recumbent_bicycle). Safer, faster, more aerodynamic, and comfortable as a lounge chair.

Back in the 1930s recumbent bicycles were banned from sanctioned racing competitions because they were winning everything in sight. They were 'rediscovered' in the 70s and have been making a very slow comeback ever since.

Recumbent Faq (http://www.recumbents.com/home.asp?URL=faq.asp)

[BinCo]

Go to the specialty bike shop and tell them about it. They can get you the proper seat or a seat overwrap.

[MoonShadow]

Hey, Mark, when I open your link to the recumbent bike I get the bacon bra! LOL

I have never understood why male bikes were built the way they are with the high bar. I understand female bikes as they were built when women wore only dresses but why on earth did they design the bike for the guys with the high bar. I think the mixed framed bikes are the best. I think it is what Mark is calling the recumbent.

[Naturist Mark]

Hey, Mark, when I open your link to the recumbent bike I get the bacon bra! LOL
LOL - fixed the link - but you know ... the bacon bra is much safer than those upright bicycles!

I have never understood why male bikes were built the way they are with the high bar. I understand female bikes as they were built when women wore only dresses but why on earth did they design the bike for the guys with the high bar. I think the mixed framed bikes are the best. I think it is what Mark is calling the recumbent.

Not exactly. In a recumbent you sit in the "recumbent" position - like in a Lazy Boy chair. No skinny penis punisher supporting your weight between your legs - you sit on your butt like God intended.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Hpv-race.jpg
http://www.bentrideronline.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/front-view.jpghttp://www.bentrideronline.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/singing-in-the-rain-300x225.jpg (http://www.bentrideronline.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/singing-in-the-rain.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2493348851_937698f658.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2493348851_937698f658_b.jpg)

[Sigmund]

I have a recumbent trike like the ones in the last picture and it certainly solves the pressure in the groin problem. It is not a panacea, however, as "recumbutt" results from long times spent sitting with a lot of pressure on the sit bones. The problem seems to be the inability to change positions as much as it is the exact position you are in.

As far as a regular bike goes, invest in a good seat. If you ride long distances or long times a seat with less padding (but anatomically correct padding) may actually be more comfortable than a cushy looking one. You might also try a padded liner under your shorts or mountain biking shorts for long rides. That gives you the advantage of the padding that the spandex racing shorts have without making you look like a Lance Armstrong wanna be.

[Redtan]

I'm anxious to try out a recumbent bike one of these days.

If you don't go that route you should definitely follow up on getting a proper 'split' seat and decent biking shorts with padding. I got a good seat quite a while ago but found that I wasn't using it correctly because I tended to sit too far forward on the seat resulting in the narrow forward part of the seat pressing right on the perineum area (the root of your penis). Make sure your bike fits you properly and that you are properly sitting on the wide part of the seat. Of course, where you sit is difficult to focus for more than a few minutes at a time so you will have to remind yourself to check every mile or so.

[RalphVa]

I wonder if biking shorts aren't responsible for testicular cancer. The testes are outside of the body to be cooled down. Put them in the pressure cooker of bike shorts, and that cannot be good for them.

Lance Armstrong had testicular cancer. Wonder how many other bikers have had it.

[WriteNaked]

Leave it to Naturist Mark to advocate for a recumbant bike!

I've been thinking for a long time I need to take mine along with to the Nudist place I'm a member of and try it out up there. I tell you, just from the point of view of the seat it's a lot more naturist-friendly than the old racing style bikes!

WN

[mark_dee]

Recumbents are nice! No middle area discomfort. If you definitely want to ride a conventional/upright bicycle.....Trying a Brooks saddle may be helpful. You sit on your sitbones instead of straight on the plumbing. It takes a lil' pressure off but it may take time to get used to. People usually have sore sitbones after switching to Brooks but it usually goes away and they sell all their other saddles. Wallingford Bicycle used to have a deal where you can try the saddle and return it for a refund if you don't like it. The website is >> dubya dubya dubya dot wallbike dot com <<

Recumbent is still more gentle on the man-parts though.

[steve-o]

Kouak, I'm a cyclist also. I ride an average of 70-120 miles per week. If I experience any pain in that area I adust my seat and keep adjusting until it feels right (after testing for 20+ miles).

If you consistently have pain in that area when you ride you either have the wrong saddle or it is not fitting correctly on the bike - height and angle.

It does sound like you need a new saddle (spend around $100-$150 for a good new one) and go to a pro bike shop and have them fit you for it on the bike. I use one that has a cut-out in the center. You can find really good (normally expensive) saddles on Craiglist for a cheap price.

I hope that helps.

RalphkVa - tight bike shorts do not keep our testes hot -- well, no hotter than any other athletes in other sports; probably much less so. Good quality bike shorts are verrry thin (and ahem, almost see-thru when they're wet from perspiration) so they breath airy well!

[Naturist Mark]

RalphkVa - tight bike shorts do not keep our testes hot -- well, no hotter than any other athletes in other sports; probably much less so. Good quality bike shorts are verrry thin (and ahem, almost see-thru when they're wet from perspiration) so they breath airy well!

Bike shorts are also very tight, especially in the crotch where the chamois padding is. Between being squeezed by the shorts and the bike seat being in exactly the wrong place, the "boys" are often bruised and abused. Even in the best of circumstances and perfect fitting, it is not a comfortable environment.

On a recumbent you can lay back, wear loose shorts (or no shorts), and let'm hang loose and free.

But its your call.

[Naturist Mark]

Recumbents are much safer in traffic - mostly due to their still unusual appearance, motorists tend to pay attention rather than dismiss them from their minds like they do regular bicyclists. Still many recumbent riders do use a flag for extra visibility.

Recumbents are not wider than upright bikes. The widest part of any bike is the handlebars. Motorists tend to ignore the handlebars and get too close with often disastrous results. The wide seat of the recumbent is never wider than the handlebars of an upright bike.

Except for a few high seat recumbents the rider does sit much lower in most recumbents, which can be uncomfortable for the rider in traffic because of not being able to see from a higher viewpoint. The bike is still more likely to be noticed by motorists than a regular upright.

[JWesker]

I agree, good dilemma

[beachboy]

will be investing in a trail bike in a couple of weeks, thanks for all the info posted here. Haven't done much cycling of late. Had very sore buns for a couple of days last year after cycling 20kms...it was my first time on a bike in years!!!

[mrm]

Someone I asked told me that it was the kind of seat I was using. Bottom line (no pun intended) try different seats until one works.

[gefench]

Improper seat may also cause nerve damage in that area

[snello_cal]

I agree with the folks on here suggesting different seats. I too had the same "pain in the rear" after about the 10-12 mile barrier. After that, it was quite uncomfortable. Certainly, going to a completely different riding experience with the recumbent bike is the most expensive solution.

I would definitely talk to a good bike shop and find a saddle that will work for you. I had to go that route and found that the right saddle and the right shorts with appropriate padding works. I can now ride without that pain.

You are right to talk to your doctor too in case there might be some other thing going on that would be related, but it sounds like you went that route.

Good luck.

[David77]

I replaced my skinny (narrow) seat for a wide seat and that took care of the problem.

[Natural Lee]

I ride my road bike a lot of miles every week, and I use a saddle with an anatomical cutout.
The cutout reduces pressure on the Perineal nerve bundle area.
It prevents crushing of the prostate, dorsal vein and artery of the penis, scrotum and testicles in men, and the labia majora and minora, in women. Even with the cutout, you will need to try several saddle to find one that is right for you.
I think a lot of people are reluctant to invest in a good saddle, and that is a mistake, because if you are in pain after 20 miles, you are not going to enjoy your ride.
Lee

[calinaturist]

I'm really grateful for this thread.

A few months ago I attempted to get back into biking, but due to my excess weight I found the experience to be quite different. One of those differences being a certain discomfort in my guy parts. When I got off the bike it felt as if I had a constant need to pee, however after reading these posts I see it is a whole different problem. Thankfully I stopped riding the bike, and if I ever do go back to it I'll know better.

[Kouak]

I'm really grateful for this thread.

A few months ago I attempted to get back into biking, but due to my excess weight I found the experience to be quite different. One of those differences being a certain discomfort in my guy parts. When I got off the bike it felt as if I had a constant need to pee, however after reading these posts I see it is a whole different problem. Thankfully I stopped riding the bike, and if I ever do go back to it I'll know better.

Don't give up. Biking is too much fun. One other thing I have been doing is to stand up on the pedals when I am going downhill or coasting. This releases the pressure on everything and works fairly well.

[BeachBum]

I'm really grateful for this thread.

A few months ago I attempted to get back into biking, but due to my excess weight I found the experience to be quite different. One of those differences being a certain discomfort in my guy parts. When I got off the bike it felt as if I had a constant need to pee, however after reading these posts I see it is a whole different problem. Thankfully I stopped riding the bike, and if I ever do go back to it I'll know better.

I agree... don't give up on biking. I encountered this problem years ago and quit riding because I didn't know what the problem was and I was too stubborn to ask anyone. A few years later, I found out why and how to prevent it. Got a great saddle on my bike now and I never get that tingling sensation any longer. Hang in there Cali -- it'll be OK.

BB

[Natural Lee]

[QUOTE=Kouak;254772 One other thing I have been doing is to stand up on the pedals when I am going downhill or coasting. This releases the pressure on everything and works fairly well.[/QUOTE]

So true!
Even if you find the perfect saddle, you should get up off the saddle and “dance on the pedals” for a couple minutes every few miles to relieve the pressure.
Standing also works a different muscle group.

Get off your butt, and sprint occasionally!
Lee