Groin numbness

gman0482 said:

About 2 weeks ago, I started getting a numbness, tingling feeling down below, after 20 minutes on the trainer. I am very worried and concerned about this. I have been riding for a year, and on the trainer for at least 4-5 months, and it never happened before until now. I am soon getting a new seat ( most likely a Saddleco[FONT=Arial] Flow mesh saddle from a friend). [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]I also wear 2 pairs of cycling shorts just for the trainer sessions. Is there something else I should be doing ? [/FONT]

It could be doubling up on cycling shorts, and thus chamois, could be your problem. Too much padding can cause that issue. Did you raise the front wheel to the level of the rear wheel? If not, that'll put pressure on your gooch and bread basket. Have you changed anything in terms of bike fit?

I agree two pair may be a little much. The other problem with the trainer is that you are reluctant to change positions as opposed to road riding. The terrain is always flat on the trainer and you tend to lean forward on the bars a lot more. Try sitting up some or even standing momentarily and if this persists you may want to consult your doc. Mine warned me about nerve irritation in that area from cycling that can be brutally painful. Fortunately I have been lucky so far and have a good match with my saddle.

gman0482 said:

About 2 weeks ago, I started getting a numbness, tingling feeling down below, after 20 minutes on the trainer. I am very worried and concerned about this. I have been riding for a year, and on the trainer for at least 4-5 months, and it never happened before until now. I am soon getting a new seat ( most likely a Saddleco[FONT=Arial] Flow mesh saddle from a friend). [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]I also wear 2 pairs of cycling shorts just for the trainer sessions. Is there something else I should be doing ? [/FONT]

Why wear to pairs of shorts?
Keep out the cold? Is you trainer on a cold garage?
If so you would be better off buying a set of leggings.

Like the others here have said it sounds like the blood supply may be restricted due to too much layering.

have you changed the set up of your bike on the trainer recently?
Adjusted the handlebar position perhaps?

You've got to consider that when riding the trainer you're going to be in a static position unless you consciously shift body position : so any adjustment to you handlebars/saddle will have altered your existing trainer position and your body may be under pressure.

If you haven't adjusted your bike in any way - try pedalling with one pair of shorts on and see how you get on.

If the pain persists, go your physician though.

limerickman said:

Why wear to pairs of shorts?
Keep out the cold? Is you trainer on a cold garage?
If so you would be better off buying a set of leggings.

Like the others here have said it sounds like the blood supply may be restricted due to too much layering.

have you changed the set up of your bike on the trainer recently?
Adjusted the handlebar position perhaps?

You've got to consider that when riding the trainer you're going to be in a static position unless you consciously shift body position : so any adjustment to you handlebars/saddle will have altered your existing trainer position and your body may be under pressure.

If you haven't adjusted your bike in any way - try pedalling with one pair of shorts on and see how you get on.

If the pain persists, go your physician though.

Sorry for the detour from the subject. Lim, no answer from Jan. He may be in Germany and use adifferent phonr there.I am very curious about where he is going with his career now.
I will let you know if I hear anything.

Thanks gentlemen.

I wear 2 pairs just because of the combined padding for the non-movement of the bike and seat. I will definitely try it out with one. I was also thinking that the padding could have just worn down or compressed from constant use, since these are my first and only shorts. I wouldn't wear 2 pairs on the road.

My front wheel is the same height as the back. I changed my bar angle a bit, but about 4 months ago.

It's just so dicouraging to have this. I get on the bike 5 days a week religiously, and now barely at all for last 1-2 weeks. My friend is selling me a Saddleco Flow mesh saddle for $20, so I'll give that a try, eventhough reviews are mixed, price s right. I just hope that once the good weather comes, it won't happen on the road.

Thanks again,
-Greg

Gman, I bet you won't have that issue once you can ride outside again.

Riding on a trainer just causes a lot of issues, IMO. I thought it should be easier because:

1. You are in a climate controlled enviroment

2. You don't have to dodge cars

3. You don't have to take a pounding from rough roads/paths

4. ( Add your reasons here 😄 )

I thought the only negative would be that you don't ever coast.

But my reality is that after about 45 min on a trainer; my butt hurts, my back hurts, and I'm bored.

Anyway, I bet you'll figure it out. Maybe wearing 2 sets of shorts is cutting off , or contributing to cutting off, your circulation in certain areas that is creating the numbness.

I'm thinking that the seat change will help, if it takes the pressure off of the afflicted area.

Hang in there, you'll get it fixed.

9 out of 10 dentists say that 3 out of 10 cyclists that use trainers actually have their entire soul sucked out by the trainer.

Yea I'm thinking/hoping that on the road it won't be a problem. I honestly love the trainer (for what it's worth and what it is). Ever since I started training with the power meter, it gave me some purpose. Without building on my watts, monitoring them, and scheduling some structure, I would probably not enjoy it as much.

I'll give wearing 1 pair of shorts a try.

My dentist just told me today that I need a root canal on my #1, and possibly done surgically, under my gums. Life's a ***** at times....

Thanks,
-Greg

gman0482 said:

Yea I'm thinking/hoping that on the road it won't be a problem. I honestly love the trainer (for what it's worth and what it is). Ever since I started training with the power meter, it gave me some purpose. Without building on my watts, monitoring them, and scheduling some structure, I would probably not enjoy it as much.

I'll give wearing 1 pair of shorts a try.

My dentist just told me today that I need a root canal on my #1, and possibly done surgically, under my gums. Life's a ***** at times....

Thanks,
-Greg

Root canals are no big deal except for being expensive and time consuming.
I however prefer other passtimes to occupy myself.

Man, I just found your answer. I don't know I didn't think of this before.

Simply put, you're leaving the thing on too long. It's not meant to be worn 24/7:

What can I say, pain is great. 24/7 is impossible, I take it off for bed. Plus you're not a real cyclist if you don't wear one.

I just did a 40 minute L3 session with 1 pair of shorts, and did not have any numbness. I was rather cautious though, as if I was expecting it, plus with a 2 week break I didn't go as hard as usual.

Thanks,
-Greg

Two pair of shorts... that's a new one.

If you're ever thinking of another saddle - I could heartily recommend Specialized, after getting your rear end measured on the 'butt-o-meter' to get the correct "sit bone" width.

gman0482 said:

I just did a 40 minute L3 session with 1 pair of shorts, and did not have any numbness. I was rather cautious though, as if I was expecting it, plus with a 2 week break I didn't go as hard as usual.

Thanks,
-Greg

Sorry to hear about your recent troubles Greg. It seemed you weren't posting as much (at least in the killing me thread) and now I can guess why.

I've got nothing remotely scientific or clinical just anecdotal stuff. However if it is of any help or consolation, just 5 months ago or so, my max tolerable seat time on the trainer was 20-25 minutes tops. I even asked a question here of whether one could do SST type intervals on the trainer.

These days I am doing 2 hour sessions on the trainer about 4-5x/week. It didn't happen overnight though. Rather it was a combination of: a) getting the best bike shorts I could get, b) gradual increases over several months, so that meant going from 20 minute sessions to 25 to 30 to 45..........to 120, c) making it a habit to stand and pedal at least every 3-4 minutes, d) incorporating some surge/variable power workouts where you more or less have to stand and pedal at short, frequent intervals.

Since you had some success with your most recent workout, perhaps it is worth sticking with intervals of 25 minutes and under, meaning L4 or L5 (or L6 if you like to hurt yourself!). Just do as many "reps" or "sets" of those as you want. Nothing wrong with doing 3-6 x 15/20/25 or 5 x 5 or 6 x 4.

It might even be worth getting off the trainer between intervals. There's a whole lotta fitness to be gained from the above type of training.

Keep the faith and best hopes for a quick recovery 🙂

swampy1970 said:

Two pair of shorts... that's a new one.

If you're ever thinking of another saddle - I could heartily recommend Specialized, after getting your rear end measured on the 'butt-o-meter' to get the correct "sit bone" width.

I found that the foam in the Toupe I had broke down pretty quickly. It was a comfy saddle while the foam lasted.

Next in my saddle search is an SSM Regal.

Gman, it's good you may have found your solution to the numbness in your bald headed yogurt slinger.

Thanks Swampy, I will denfinitely measure my a$$ and shop around. My buddy is selling me his Saddleco Flow mesh sadle for $20, so that's a small start temporarily.

DM, good to hear from you. Yea I have been off the bike for a short while and MIA because of this. The bad part is that I was already used to doing everyday 1 hour and sunday 2 hour trainer rides no prob, and had no complaints at all, so I figure it's not about getting used to it. My fit was set up long ago as well.

I was thinking that my shorts got worn out or compressed down from everyday use. Also, my seat seemed to be more flimsy rescently.

But as of today, this 40 min's went ok, so hopefully I'll be back to normal. I just hope that 2 weeks off didn't set me back too much.

Thanks,
-Greg

alienator said:

I found that the foam in the Toupe I had broke down pretty quickly. It was a comfy saddle while the foam lasted.

Next in my saddle search is an SSM Regal.

Gman, it's good you may have found your solution to the numbness in your bald headed yogurt slinger.

LOL, thanks, do you think that the seat got worn down ? It does seem 'not as it should be'.

It could be a contributing factor, but I think the primary cause of your numbness was likely wearing two pairs of shorts. This idea would be supported by the experience of some riders on more liberally padded saddles or even comfort saddles. For a short time, they're comfortable, but over longer periods, the softer foam in these saddles compresses, allowing sit bones to sink, while putting pressure on sensitive bits.

Maybe I missed it, but what saddle were you using?

I have the factory Felt saddle. It wasn't bad but now it feels like it's loosing stiffness on the bottom plastic base.