A numbing effect!!! - Triathlon Week

plannerman2001 · 06-11-2005, 11:56 PM

I did my first century ride last weekend. Did the Tour de Cure in Brigham City, UT. It was also my first ever organized event since wrestling in high school. WOW!!!!!! Am I ever hooked. I cannot wait until my next event.

However, I did the 100 on Sat. and noticed a numbness in my private area. I've heard of this problem in my readings. It seemed to go away, and I went ahead and rode the 40 on Sunday with my brother and sister in law who had opted for the 60/40 split rides. When I got my bike after the 40, I was numb again. Here I am a week later and, though not as numb, am still numb on the outer edge.

Any male out there that can advise me on this, I would greatly appreciate it. Is this something that will occur and it takes a week or two to come back, or do I need to get to the doctor's office pronto?????

Thanks for your help.

Smartt/RST · 06-16-2005, 10:20 AM

I recommend two things: 1. get to the doctor pronto: I've experienced numbness at times over the years, but never has it lasted more than perhaps a minute after getting off the bike (and more usually was relieved just my standing on the bikefor a few seconds); 2. try some different saddles or alter the tilt/position of your saddle (a saddle that fits you well should be ~level - if you have to tip the nose down a significant amount to make it comfortable..i.e.: not make you numb...then either the saddle itself is not good for you or there is something about your bike fit that needs adjustment - possibly your saddle is too far back and you regularly slide forward onto the nose of the saddle, causing too much presser where it ain't supposed to be).

moabrunner · 03-19-2006, 08:02 PM

There is a blood vessel right where you sit on the saddle and it gets compressed while sitting. This can slow or reduce the blood flow which causes numbness. The problem comes in when this happens repeatedly and the vessel becomes like a straw that has been squeezed over and over again. It doesn't return to its original shape and may stay narrower. This is what leads to impotence. See a Dr. pronto because the numbness usually goes away very fast for me also.