Cycling and Prostate Health: What Every Cyclist Should Know! Fatbiker journey with a prostate issue

[@keithpearson1552]

Went through the same after a bout of Prostatitis that had me searching for ways to continue cycling including changing saddles to tri-saddles and other nose less saddles….take the meds and landed on the Selle-SMP saddles along with lowering the seat height slightly….. that has helped tremendously and any long lasting issues are just part of the aging process and our lucky genetics… thankfully the seat changes and positioning have helped and I bike with no issues. Great video and thanks for sharing

[@fatride]

Thanks for sharing! Im glad you found a way to continue cycling. I also purchased a ism noseless saddle. I was and am still so freaked out that it might come back I have been standing since May 2023.... This summer I even did a hundred mile ride standing. How long did it take you to get use to the noseless saddle?

[@keithpearson1552]

@@fatridei also purchased the same ISM saddle….. it was ok, but like others may report you may wind up with it being too wide in the nose and found it applying more pressure….. I wound up on the Selle-SMP Trekker gel and followed the setup guidelines that have the nose about 2cm lower than the tail and the shape of the nose slopes away from the sensitive bits…. While the shape of the saddle does a good job on the sit bones and as you rotate forward opens up to relieve pressure…. My sit bones are 150mm so having a good measurement will help you find the right saddle to keep the weight on the bones and less on the perineum which can aggravate the inflammation….. probably a few weeks getting used to riding before it started to respond

[@fatride]

@@keithpearson1552 Thank you for great info on the Selle-SMP Trekker gel! I have been riding standing up for over a year now... I don't know if I could pedal sitting now...

[@samluc058]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am very sure it is helpful for many others who have similar conditions. Here is my story: I am 62 yr-od male who cycles regularly and also does cycle-tourings. Had BPH since 2022 when I did TransAm (ACA route). Had been seeing urologist and prescribed pills for treatment. Decided to do GDMBR in June this year. Too cocky and negligent to take pills with me on the tour. On 10th day of riding from Cuba, NM to Abiquiu, NM, had a great day of riding, 70+miles and very steep climbs (6000+ft elevation gain), felt really good. then the most miserable event struck me. It was a cold and rainy night in lower 40s. Throughout the night, felt urgent need to pee but no single drop came out, many times, leading to a virtually sleepless night. Thinking and hoping daytime physical activities may relieve the symptoms, got up early in the early started riding on wet and rocky trail. Struggled for 3 hours for but only a few miles. Stopped and tried to pee many a time and could not get out one drop. Struggled for over 2 hours deciding whether to call SOS, which meant my tour would be over. Finally press the SOS button on my Garmin InReach device after feeling my bladder was about to explode. Took over 6 hours (most miserable and painful ones) before a catherter was applied and got relieved in a hospital in Albuquerque. Managed packing up the bike and rest, and flew home with catherter on. Went to emergency room a second time because of infection and potentally sepsis in the coming weeks. It was most miserable and painful experience I have had so far. No one should go through it. The good news is: after 2 months of rest and on medicine, symptoms subsided significantly and I decided to restart and to finish the great divide tour at the beginning of August. With prescribed pills and a keen awareness of my condition, I flew to Calgery, CA and restarted the tour in Banff. finished the rest of the ride (a little over 2000 miles) without major issues. I am still battling this condition, and still considering doing long distance tourings in the coming years.

[@fatride]

@@samluc058 WOW! Thanks for sharing! I can’t imagine how bad this must of been. It’s amazing you finished the tour later… you’re a rockstar! So you are doing better now?

[@samluc058]

@@fatride Thanks! Managable with prescribed pills. Scheduled a PAE procedure in Jan. 2025, and hope it will give me a few years of good riding time, i.e., no need to go to emergency room while doing long distance tours, haha.

[@rafaelregalado]

im 42 and i have have some issues with prostatitis, did you get to solve those issues by changing your saddle or doing a bikefit? i am still looking for the cause and how to avoid it, as you can feel good after taking your treatment, but some time after i've had prostatitis again a couple times

[@fatride]

My doctor didnt mention prostatitis. I'm going to read about it tonight. For me taking flow max, exercise, diet, along with standing up when I ride have put in a good place. If you are interested I could a simuliar video but based on what I changed in my life along with where I'm at today with it.

[@rafaelregalado]

@ that would be great! I do xc and enduro on my bike so pedaling standing up would be kinda hard sometimes

[@fatride]

@@rafaelregalado I thought there was no way that I could do it. MTB trails were tough but now I stand the whole lap. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it :)

[@rafaelregalado]

@@fatride so you never get to ride sitting?

[@fatride]

@ I haven’t sat on saddle since MAY 2023 I don’t know if I could even pedal sitting down anymore.

[@btudrus]

LOL, the best medicine against prostatitis is a sugar-free diet !!!

[@fatride]

As noted in my reply above my urologist didnt align me to prostatitis based on my symptoms. I'm going to read up on that condition tonight. Thank you for the comment. RIDEFAT and have a great week.