In my effort to milk this for as many posts as possible to make it through EcoGeoFemme’s interview questions, I bring you this question:
How is the biking to work going?
Well, it’s going not so great. See a few months ago someone stole the front wheel to my bike. Without a front wheel and my inability to ride a unicycle, my bike riding into work was brought to an abrupt halt. I didn’t immediately go out and buy a new front wheel because, well, I bought my bike off of craigslist for $35 and a new wheel cost somewhere around $50. Last week I found one for $5 on craigslist (from a campus police auction). So, I rode in this weekend. 13 miles round trip. Worst. Idea. Ever.
My butt is so sore, it’s not even funny (ok, maybe it is). It’s not my legs that are the problem, but from where I sat on the saddle. See, the manufacturer provided seat has approximately no padding. That was 13 very bumpy miles on that seat.
Advisor has been asking me to sit down all day. I have yet to tell him why I can’t. Somehow I feel that would be over the line.
I just re-injured my back unfolding and dragging out the elliptical and am now back on my daily vicodin regimen.
That, combined with your story, is more than enough to convince me that physical activity is detrimental to one’s well-being and I am far better off forgoing the gym or my in-home elliptical and embracing a couch potato lifestyle.
LOL! I love imagining you on a unicycle!
So is the wheel you got from the auction your old wheel?
13 miles is a long ride to start with!
Hope your butt feels better soon!
Oh, bike seats. I rode a little over 20 miles on a new bike seat last summer and thought I’d never be able to sit down again! They have gel seat covers you can buy to ease the pressure somewhat — like a layer of cushion. I’d also recommend the gel-padded biker shorts that are out there (my brother-in-law is a bike fanatic, which is the only reason I know these things exist) but I imagine this might provoke interesting reactions in the lab if you wore them all day :).
EtBr: Yep, exercise is hazardous to your health. At least that’s the theory supported by my facts.
EGF: I don’t think it is, but they told me that they had just sold another wheel that came from my model of bike. As an aside, I had to carry the wheel across the campus and I was stopped by a police officer. Apparently, it looked as if I had stolen it!
Albatross: Well, today is the first day that I was able to sit comfortably. 🙂
CT: Excellent idea. I’m going to buy a new seat ASAP. The idea of gel-padded bike shorts sound like this underwear I saw online once that had padded butt inserts to make your rear look better (don’t ask how I found these, but there was booze and google involved). I wonder if the bike shorts would have the same effect?
i used to bike a lot (like, 40-60 miles in a day sometimes), and let me tell you, bike shorts are a good thing. if you don’t want to wear spandex, you can get the kind with shorts over them so you look like you’re wearing regular shorts.
the other thing is BIKE SEAT. I went from crotch-on-fire after 20 miles to sitting-pretty-after-40-miles with just a change in bike seat.
personally, i can’t stand fat gel seats because they can actually increase pressure on your lady bits by bulging up because of pressure applied. I prefer the hardnosed seats but i find the KEY is having a hole in the seat. that way your lady bits don’t get chafed. as for being able to sit down because of sore sit bones, that will get better with a bit of time and more frequent riding.
Terry makes women’s specific bike saddles that people seem to like. I don’t think they’re cheap though.
Good luck!
Phizzle Dizzle: A hole in the seat? Does that put pressure on other parts? Then again those other parts have more padding. I’m going to look for a new seat!
This is what my saddle is:
http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/specialized/saddles/PRD_334695_2509crx.aspx
you can see a hole in the middle for the soft lady parts to not get crushed :). I think it’s actually a man’s saddle so his junk can sit there but I have found it works well for me.
Here’s a link to Terry’s website – they have saddles for different activities like racing or recreational…check it out!
http://www.terrybicycles.com/saddles/womens/category/women-s-best-all-around
Don’t worry dear! You will get your butt-caluses! Really. I bike to work and back every day. For now you might want to take it in slower steps…like maybe taking a bus one way and then biking the other??
Phizzle Dizzle: Thanks for the links! I think I’m going to buy one of the (cheaper) Terry seats. It’ll be worth it if it helps with the soreness.
Wayfarer Scientista: Butt calluses! I don’t know why that made me giggle, but it did!
Hi
Tks very much for post:
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Let me show other source that may be good for community.
Source: IT interview questions
Best rgs
David