bike butt, crotch - LADIES(and gents) HELP

some of you know I went on my first bike ride since I gave up my Huffy dirt bike 25 years ago.  My boyfriend put me on his Mountain bike, lent me a helmet and we rode to breakfast yesterday morning.  (after I went up and down the driveway and decided I could probably do it).  I don't know how to change gears and I can't really look behind me without steering myself into a tree (he rode with me to spot me) but I made it without any close calls or crashes, stops, etc.

I'm trying to decide how I feel about riding.  It's very physically uncomfortable, I believe I told him that I didn't think sexual assault was a normal part of the riding experience, and while my choice of words was distasteful, personally, I think it was accurate.

I woke up this morning and feel very tender on my butt, in the bike seat area. I almost feel like I've got bruised bones or something (though I'm sure that is not true).  Today I found some discounted bike shorts online, so I'm going to get those and hope that improves the next ride, since there is much I liked about biking and would like to give it a try more since once is not enough to decide anything.

I'm just wondering if other ladies have had pain in their "lady parts" while cycling, and if the bike shorts cushion some of that, and I suspect some of it you just get used to?  My boyfriend told that the shorts make some of it better, and some of it is just uncomfortable, but he doesn't have post WLS lady parts (of which I'm grateful).

He'd like to sign us up for a 25 mile ride in August, and frankly, I don't know if that's long enough for me to learn to tolerate this discomfort (especially since I don't have a bike at my house and we don't see eachother during the week).

actually Sue, you are spot on when you said it felt like bruised bones.  Your sit bones are at the base of your pelvic floor and they, along with all the tissues, are what get sore the first few times in a bike saddle.  That will get better with use.  Promise. 

Yes, if your are going to be doing any riding, invest in the bike shorts with padded chamois; all your 'girly bits' will thank you for it.   (and may be TMI but I didn't ask and paid the price - you do not wear underwear between yourself and the bike shorts, the elastic binding can cause unbearable chafing...)

Have you tried spin classes?  Alot of cyclists use them during the off season to keep their bike legs and endurance.

#1.  If you are going to start riding seriously, get a nice seat.  Put the cash in for a good one.  You probably will not find a quality one at WalMart.  I spent $70 on my first seat, $55 on the smaller one I put on my new Trek about a month ago.  Most good shops will let you try out a seat for a few rides and then exchange if you want something different.

#2.  There are padded shorts that can help with your naughty bits.  That will be mostly trial and error.

You can also try some shammy cream or shay butter.
I use both on really long rides.  I still get friction when riding because of the extra skin, so I lotion up before any long rides.

They make anatomical seats for guys and girls to relieve the pressure, and as mentioned before, a good store should have some demo models  that you can rent and they generally apply the rental fee towards a purchase.

Scott

Oh yeah as to being assualted, I saw a recent twitter post from a professional triathlete, she equated the discomfort she felt after her first long bike ride to being punched in the privates.

So it's not just you.

and y'all do this for fun?? 

SUCH a newfound respect for you.  or fear of you.  not sure which.

Bike seat, bike shorts and bike...You need to look at all 3.  When you find the right bike (and bike seat) it is like a hand in glove fit...You'll know it in seconds and it will "just feel right".  I'd go to a quality bike shop and test drive different bikes.  See what works for you...  Not saying to buy there...You may want to be used till you know if you'll continue to ride.  If you do end up enjoying riding...Go with a quaility bike shop for the new bike...Comfort level needs to be with them also...

One thing about the bike seat: bigger is not necessarily better.

You need one that is the right size for your sit bones. The seat that came with my first bike was too big and when I swapped it out for a smaller one, riding was actually *more* comfortable.

I think the big thing we WLS people have to deal with that others don't is the loose skin. I still get a pinch happening down in that area from the skin. It's not chafing because it's not rubbing. But by the end of the ride, I actually have a bruise there from the skin being folded over on itself and then sitting on the fold.

What works the best for the pinching is to make sure my bike shorts are on the small side. When I wear my comfortable pair, I'm more likely to get crotch issues than when I wear my tightest pair.

I believe I used the same distasteful words to describe my experience sitting on a spin bike at the gym. I lasted all of 2-3 minutes before i went running out. And that was with all my fat layers still attached :-/

it definitely takes a bit of time to get used to.... i don't really notice it anymore, unless i'm putting in some serious miles and i haven't "buttered up" properly.  in addition to what everybody else has said.  the way you are sitting on the seat can affect your discomfort as well.  if you are riding your BF's bike and it is much more suited for him size wise, you may find yourself leaning in a particular direction (i.e., maybe leaning forward a bit too much affecting your lady parts more than normal as it may have more contact with the seat than intended.  you should have most or all of your weight centered on your sit bones).