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The Trochanter Trials: A Sore Story of Seating Snafus in Cycling

12.03.2023 by Scott Jangro // Leave a Comment

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!

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Categories // Bike fit, soreness Tags // anatomy, posture, saddle sore

Riding Away A Saddle Sore

03.13.2012 by Ray Niekamp // 2 Comments

Last week, while I was not riding because of my head cold, I developed a bad saddle sore. How could that happen? Well, I assume I contracted it during that metric century I did on my birthday. After all, it was my longest ride of the year by far, and there was probably some rubbing going on down there. But I wasn’t bothered during the ride. Or after the ride. It was only as the following week wore on that I realized I had a problem. Even walking was painful.

I took a look, and sure enough, there it was — only bigger than saddle sores I’ve had in the past. Typically, they’re about the size of a pimple. But this one was el zitto supremo! I waited for it to diminish, and even got two extra days for that to happen when my Friday and Saturday rides got rained out.

On Sunday though, my wife wanted to ride. I was leery about going with the saddle sore, but I threw caution to the winds and joined her for a nice 16-miler. The ride was comfortable for me. I felt no rubbing, no soreness. Nothing like I’ve gone through in the past when I’ve ridden with saddle sores.

Back home, I found the sore had almost disappeared. Just that one ride took care of it.

I’m baffled as to why. I’m guessing that it must have popped during the ride, but I would think that that would make it even worse because rubbing would aggravate it. So I’m not entirely sure what went on, but I’m glad it did. Today’s 25-miler went off without a hitch.

I think I’ll still be careful about riding with saddle sores in the future, but at least I know now that riding with those little buggers won’t necessarily knock me off the bike for several days.

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Categories // Injury Tags // saddle sore

Riding With a Saddle Sore

05.08.2011 by Ray Niekamp // 5 Comments

Sometime after last Tuesday’s ride I felt it. Another saddle sore. It could have been caused by the thin pad on the shorts I wore, but it was one of those pimple-like things that’s probably caused by a hair follicle. I didn’t think much of it, because in the past, these things have always gone away quickly.

Then on Thursday, I got the chance to ride again. I usually can’t ride on Thursdays, because of my work schedule. I took the bike out for an easy 15 miles. Although I could feel the saddle sore, it actually lessened once I was on the bike. The ride was comfortable.

I wound up working late Friday, and didn’t ride. During the day, I could feel that I had irritated the sore Thursday. It had swelled up some, right in the crease between my butt cheek and my thigh. Walking was not comfortable.

But Saturday morning, Pat said she wanted to go for a ride. I wanted to go along. “Where shall we go?” she asked. “Are you up for a Mopac loop?”

“Not really,” I answered. “Let’s go out to 1826 [about 9 miles round trip]. This isn’t good.”

She was disappointed, because she wanted to get some miles in. Her work had kept her indoor all week, and she was ready for action. We started pedaling through the neighborhood. After about four miles, I asked her if she still wanted to do Mopac.

“I would,” she said.

“Okay. I feel a lot better now,” I replied.

In fact, I did. Maybe the pimple had popped during our short ride, but I wasn’t feeling any pain or even discomfort. We took some side streets to Mopac, and out on the highway, I started pedaling with more vigor.

We finished up at the Veloway entrance, and Pat said she wanted to do a lap there. By then I was ready for more. But I decided not to push my recovery. We did our lap and headed home.

After showering, I noticed the sore was still swollen and ugly – darker than it had been. It still hurt to the touch. I covered it with Bag Balm, and went out to cut the grass. Walking irritated it. Inside, sitting and watching TV, I was okay, depending upon my position in the chair. I Bag Balmed it again (is that a verb?) before going to bed — hoping it would let me ride Sunday morning.

No dice. I think I could have done a repeat of Saturday. I don’t think I could have done the 30 miles I had planned to do. I decided to give it a chance to heal, and skipped today’s ride altogether.

Athletes talk about playing through pain. Running even with a cold. But some things just get worse with activity. Staying off the bike today was a good idea. I couldn’t feel the sore tonight when I walked the dog, but it still hurts when I touch it. I’ll be off the bike for another day or two as we wrap up the semester at school, and then I’ll be on the road for two more days. That should give the sore plenty of time to heal and even disappear.

I’m sure I’ll get saddle sores in the future. When I do, I’ll grudgingly be still for a few days.

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Categories // Odds 'n ends Tags // saddle sore

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