This article is going to discuss some of the causes of taint pain, and how to make it better. The 'taint' is a general term to refer to the area of the body that sits on the bicycle seat. Two issues here: 1) Point tenderness pain while riding due to components and set-up, and 2) Keeping the taint happy with certain products.
When riding on your bike there are 3 places in contact with the bike: your feet, your hands, and your taint. The interface between the saddle, bike shorts, and taint determine whether you ride comfortably or in suffering agony.
First off make sure your saddle is positioned correctly. If you feel a lot of pressure on the tender parts in all likelihood you need to adjust your saddle nose-down. Just a small adjustment will make a big difference. If you feel like you are sliding forward or have a lot of pressure on the hands, then the saddle nose is too far down. Usually a level saddle is about right but most people need to adjust it nose-down or nose-up for it to be perfect.
Another trick is to angle the saddle 1-2 degrees to one side. This corresponds with the strategy to sit ever so slightly off-center on the saddle. Keeping the pressure off the tender parts makes all the difference in the world.
While we are talking about saddles, make sure you are happy with yours. Try various adjustments to the saddle position, but if you can get comfortable on it consider an upgrade. Some saddles have stitching right down the middle of the nose or other uncomfortable designs. If you ride a tri bike consider using a tri-specific saddle as these are intended for a more forward riding position.
When it comes to riding, it should go without saying that you should wear padded chamois cycling shorts, and nothing underneath. Would you expect to see a football player wearing a tutu? Or a surgeon wearing doc martens and a flannel shirt? Cycling shorts are the appropriate apparel for fitness riding and you risk some serious taint pain if you wear gym shorts. And go commando under those cycling shorts; Team Magic's Therese Bynum will tell you the horror story of her friend who can no longer bicycle because she used to wear underpants under her bike shorts.
Photo: This pair of bike shorts has 3 layers of padding. Prepare to drop some coin on a great pair of bike shorts...your taint will thank you.
By far the best pair of bike shorts I have ever worn are DeSoto Sport's 400 mile Bike Short. They are made out of a compression lycra which supports your quads against road vibration, and the pad feels great. Check them out [link here.]
Put a thin layer of friction-reducer on your taint or on your chamois (the pad in the bike shorts) before you start riding. Sport Slick, Chamois Butt'r, Bag Balm, or some other lubricant will eliminate the friction that occurs between your skin and the bike seat. It may feel like taint pain comes primarily from pressure, but friction is a big part of the problem. Bike shorts will provide the smoothest interface possible between your body and the bike seat, but a lubricant will add extra comfort.
If you deal with chronic taint pain hopefully some of these adjustments help. But how should you actually take care of your taint? It is all about the hygiene habits. You need to have very high standards when it comes to taint care.
Photo: Don't re-wear bike shorts, wash them after every use.
First and foremost this means NEVER, EVER wear a pair of bike shorts more than once. Even if you had them on for 20 minutes, they go directly into the washing machine. After a ride don't stand around, drive home, or do chores in your bike shorts. Get out of them so that your taint can air out.
The next step is to get into the shower as quickly as possible. The crux is your choice of soap: I recommend Dial Two-In-One liquid soap. The antibacterial ingredients kill the bacteria that irritate skin and create saddle sores. The moisturizer ingredients keep your skin soft and supple. Harsh soaps will irritate the tender taint skin, and non-antibacterial soaps don't kill enough germs. Also make sure you use Dial Two-In-One after you swim as the chlorine in the pool can irritate taint issues you may have.
Photo: I keep a big stash of Dial. On right is my favorite friction-reducer, SportSlick.
I have had saddle sores so bad that I wasn't sure if I could race. And I have suffered through many long miles of cycling after being careless with my taint care habits. Most of us participate in cycling because we want to be healthy people, with fulfilling lives. Pain in the nether-regions can be a big detractor from that goal, so follow the tips in this article.
See you out there on the road riding, hopefully with a happy taint!
Stephen Taylor, Nashville Triathlon and Cycling Coach
No comments:
Post a Comment