First off, I’ve had saddle sores before so this is definitely different. On Sunday I completed my 3rd 100+ mile ride preparing for IMLP in 2 weeks, and later on that night I realized that the entire right side of the area known as the grundle was completely swollen and inflamed. It doesn’t hurt per se, but it is definitely tender to the touch. Has anyone else ever experienced this and have any advice on what to do? Yesterday was a day off from training and I was supposed to get back on the bike today, but I’m nervous about the inflamed area.
In addition to helpful advice, I’m also looking forward to as many wise-a** comments as possible
First off, I’ve had saddle sores before so this is definitely different. On Sunday I completed my 3rd 100+ mile ride preparing for IMLP in 2 weeks, and later on that night I realized that the entire right side of the area known as the grundle was completely swollen and inflamed. It doesn’t hurt per se, but it is definitely tender to the touch. Has anyone else ever experienced this and have any advice on what to do? Yesterday was a day off from training and I was supposed to get back on the bike today, but I’m nervous about the inflamed area.
In addition to helpful advice, I’m also looking forward to as many wise-a** comments as possible
Can you post a pic?
Bruised and swollen tissue around the sit bones? Google ischiogluteal bursitis.
I believe this is what I have and I think mine is caused more from the “trauma” of 200+ miles on a hard-ish saddle than due to muscle tightness or weakness. I’d take it easy for a while and look at this as an incentive to effectively taper.
After some quick reading on ischiogluteal bursitis, it definitely sounds like what happened to me. Thank you for sharing! Unfortunately when I was googling “inflamed grundle after bike ride”, nothing helpful was coming up. I guess “grundle” isn’t exactly a medical term.
Sunday was my last long ride and I started my taper yesterday. I’m just hoping that this issue subsides before the IM. I’d hate to have to sit on this for an entire 112 miles.
Bruised and swollen tissue around the sit bones? Google ischiogluteal bursitis.
I believe this is what I have and I think mine is caused more from the “trauma” of 200+ miles on a hard-ish saddle than due to muscle tightness or weakness. I’d take it easy for a while and look at this as an incentive to effectively taper.
50% of STers will tell you your saddle is to high; 50% will tell you it’s too low. But since the problem is obviously your saddle, take the damn thing off. Try riding on the seatpost. I do it all the time. It’s a bit hard on the peritineal region, and if you hit a bump, you could require embarrassing surgery, but it’s better than the pains that saddle of yours is causing you. You will also take several grams off your bike weight, and who doesn’t benefit from going a bit lighter.
You can also try accupunture. Simply find a good accupuncturist in your area and ask them to “Needle your taint.” Do remember to take a bit of extra money with you. In my experience, this can occasionally lead to some misunderstandings if your accupuncturist is not used to working with triathletes. You may wind up in an altercation or ensnared in a police prostitution sting.
You could also try to use Compex on the region. E-stim has been known to help with swelling. There’s no chart in the Compex manual for this kind of swelling, but I would think you’d want each pad on opposite sides of the swelling, i.e, one directly on top of the grundle and the other along the interior wall close to your prostate gland. Be careful with the voltage. I start off at 80% and would go no higher than 86%.
You might also try try immersing yourself in a bath of ASEA water and Protandium. If it works, please let everyone know, as we will have finally found a proper indication for their usage.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, have you had your bike fitted recently? It could be that your saddle is too far forward or back, causing you to put pressure in the wrong place. Also, if it feels like there is fluid retention there, you may want to check with your doctor. I think that irritation or chaffing of an area can cause fluid to accumulate, but there are also other medical conditions that could be the culprit. I would definitely stay off the bike for a few days. It is interesting that is primarily your right side. Did you adjust your saddle recently, or change pedals or cleat position? When you start to get tired in the aero position, do you lean right or shift positions in an unusual way? It seems like something is cause a rub or irritation that I would guess is a fit issue. If there is fluid, I would think that ice would help, and that your doctor maybe able to treat with either antinflammatories or steroids.
Good luck in IMLP. I plan on being there myself. Feel free to wave (I’ll be the one riding sans saddle).
Although I would love to respond to ALL of your suggestions, I simply am speechless for the amount of creativity
I did have a fit done recently, several changes were made at the time to the saddle and cockpit. Maybe too many changes were made because I began having left hip issues. The gluteal muscle was beginning to get painful and sore on longer rides and would last for days afterward. So I thought that the saddle was dropped too much during the fit which was either putting additional pressure on my hip muscle than it was used to or more than you’re supposed to. I raised my saddle height maybe one cm, which actually helped a lot with my hip discomfort, but then this grundle inflammation happened. I am going to see my fit mechanic this week and let him know of the issues, but with being this close to the race and not having much time to adjust to any adjustments made, I’m not sure how much should really be changed.
I am definitely staying off the bike today and possibly a couple more days to let the healing continue. And I’ll definitely wave to the guy riding sans saddle at LP. Just keep your eye out for the guy only sitting on his left ass cheek.
The internet is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information.
A similar thing happened to me during my Ironman training last year. I took 3 days off of biking, and then switched to a Cobb saddle and tried it on a shorter 30-40 mile bike ride. After that I had no more issues.
Try giving your Grundle a few days rest and then do shorter efforts during your taper. On race day it won’t matter. You’ll be in pain one way or another.
Although I would love to respond to ALL of your suggestions, I simply am speechless for the amount of creativity
I did have a fit done recently, several changes were made at the time to the saddle and cockpit. Maybe too many changes were made because I began having left hip issues. The gluteal muscle was beginning to get painful and sore on longer rides and would last for days afterward. So I thought that the saddle was dropped too much during the fit which was either putting additional pressure on my hip muscle than it was used to or more than you’re supposed to. I raised my saddle height maybe one cm, which actually helped a lot with my hip discomfort, but then this grundle inflammation happened. I am going to see my fit mechanic this week and let him know of the issues, but with being this close to the race and not having much time to adjust to any adjustments made, I’m not sure how much should really be changed.
I am definitely staying off the bike today and possibly a couple more days to let the healing continue. And I’ll definitely wave to the guy riding sans saddle at LP. Just keep your eye out for the guy only sitting on his left ass cheek.
Raise your seat ONE INCH and SLANT IT DOWN as much as possible. This will solve ALL problems!
