English Tack For Sale

How do I (40 year old female) keep from becoming (saddle) sore while going on long bike trips?

I am biking through Napa for 4 days at the end of the month, and have found, while training, that I tend to bruise easily "down there". Any suggestions to increase my comfort from the "saddle"?

The bones that come in contact with the saddle are two ischial tuberosities ("sit bones") and two ischium bones which are joined in front by the symphysis ligament. The area between the ischium bones the labium is what suffers most, especially if you spend a lot of time on the "drops" (low handlebar position). Women report vulvar tissue problems that range from numbness, swelling, and boils, to blisters, abrasions, and bruising.
It is not necessary for a saddle to have thick padding. The most important consideration is shape. It should match your bone structure. Your ischia and ischial tuberosities should be perched squarely on the saddle, and they should bear the majority of your weight. Bike fit is important, if your saddle is set to high you will rock on your sit bones as you peddle causing bruises.
"Pubic bone structure does not vary that much from one woman to the next, but the amount of vulvar tissue does," says Dr. Wegner.

Saddles are personal. My preferred saddle was once a Brooks. Now it is a Giro Fizik. However two years ago when I was at Interbike a new company was showing their developmental designs. I tried one and it is the first saddle since Brooks stopped making 'my' model that I fit a leather saddle. This company have a good product worth looking for. http://www.selleanatomica.com/
I have used Giro's Fizik Vitesse for the last decade but I still try other saddles. I can't use Terry's, the O2, or most other saddles for female anatomy but I hate a short nosed saddle. It is to limiting in position.
You need to go out and try some after you go to a PT or bike shop known to help women and get your position evaluated.
If you are in the Seattle area talk to Eric Moen, Julie Johnson, or Sammamish Cyclery's Rick Olson. They know how to help women with fit problems.

"Have a Seat" by Carlotta Cuerdon
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/51/10.cfm
For women's saddle review try; http://gorp.away.com/gorp/gear/features/bikesad3.htm
Avocet 02 Air 40
Giro's Fizik Vitesse
Serfas ARC Dual Density
In Motion Women's
Terry Light Sport
Terry Liberator and Liberator Pro
Sella San Marco Women's Race Day
Vetta Sports Shape

(more...)