You know those secret glances we all share after a long ride? The kind where we gingerly dismount our bikes and sneak a hand to the back of the shorts, checking if our derrières have gone on strike yet? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s a bumpy ride in the world of cycling, and it’s not just the potholes we’re talking about.
Today, let’s talk about a common but lesser-known seat sore: the dreaded discomfort from sitting on the lower trochanters rather than the good ol’ sit-bones. Plop down comfortably at home, (we promise, no bike seats involved this time), and let’s explore the contours of this pain in the… well, you know where.
Anatomy Lessons Interrupted: Where are these Trochanters and Sit-Bones Anyway?
Before we unravel the twisted tale of sitting amiss, let’s make sure we’re on the same page anatomically. The sit bones, AKA the ischial tuberosities (doesn’t that roll off the tongue?), are the bony protrusions at the base of your pelvis. Quite literally, your built-in cushion for sitting.
The trochanters? Not so comfy.
They are two bony processes located on the femur (think part of the hip-thigh crew) right near the top. It’s where your gluteus maximus muscles attach. Bottom line (pun obviously intended) – your trochanters are great for moving around but terrible for perching your cycling self on them.
The Crux of the Problem: It’s Like Sitting on Stilts
Imagine trying to sit on top of two round-ish peaks (your lower trochanters) rather than settling into a stable base (your sit-bones). A precarious balancing act, right? That’s basically the issue.
Riding seated on your trochanters is like trying to balance two bowling balls on top of two golf tees. Possible? Maybe. Comfortable? Definitely not! Safe to say, it’s not winning you any brownie points with your bum.
The Why-dunnit: Poor Bike Fit, Posture, and More
“What’s pushing my cushion away from its throne?” I hear you ask, eyes glistening with desperation and ass-sociated discomfort. It’s a mix of factors. The main culprits? An ill-fitting bike or a saddle not suited to your divine derriere dimensions; poor cycling posture (yes, that dreaded slouch); a too-high saddle or handlebars, encouraging your pelvis to roll forward.
The Fantastic Fix: Getting to the Bottom of It
Now that we’ve got a grasp on why you might be sitting funny (and feeling funnier), let’s rectify this rear-end ruckus:
1. Bike Fit: Invest in a professional bike fitting. It’s like couple’s therapy for you and your bike – ensuring everything between you two aligns just right. Even if you think you have your bike fit properly, you may not. At the very least you stand to gain some power in your stroke. Not only will they check your position on the bike, they’ll often have you sit on a bit of memory foam so you can see what size saddle is best for you.
2. Saddle Selector: Experiment with saddles. What works for one behind might not work for another. You have to date around before committing to the right saddle.
3. Perch Properly: Keep a check on your posture. Hint: cycling should not resemble a Quasimodo impression. Aim to keep your back flat and sit back onto your saddle, anchoring on those sit-bones.
4. Technique Tune-Up: When you’re mashing pedals like there’s a bull chasing you, consciously remind yourself – “Sit bones, folks, sit bones!”
So, folks. Here ends our tale of trochanter trouble. Let’s promise our dear sit-bones that from this day forth, they will be the rightful king and queen of the saddle throne. And as for those trochanters – only walking and dancing duties henceforth!
Remember, in the grand dictionary of cycling, comfort is not a dirty word. Adjust, adapt, and soon you’ll be gliding rather than grimacing. Until next time, happy (and comfortable) cycling!
The post The Trochanter Trials: A Sore Story of Seating Snafus in Cycling appeared first on Bike Noob.