Cycling and overdoing it

I expect it's an unrelated over-use strain/injury. Have a rest then build up again gradually.

Did you spend all that 2.5 hours in the sitting position? It's a good idea to get out of the saddle every once in a while (hilly or not) to shift position. Do you vary positions on the bike? On a long ride I would shift from hoods to drops to tops many times (I also have aero bars, which gives another position).

I suppose it could also be a poor saddle fit/bike fit? Have you measured your sit bones? 

I'm also 2 years post-surgery. I do quite a high volume (~700-800 miles/month) but only really once a week do >50 miles, 3 hours. Mostly 20s, 30s and off-road gravel rides, which are shorter but harder work.

Definitely unrelated.

I was back on the saddle within days after having my catheter removed post-surgery. Paranoia had me putting every twinge down to riding too soon. It's been 8 weeks now and it's like it never happened.

I was advised no cycling for 6 weeks. Others have been told longer. But the important things is to do what YOUR surgeon says 😀

As per doctor's advice, I begin cycling stamina build-up 6 weeks post RARP of 13 oct 2022. I had done Santiago de Compostela 2x, a triangle ride of France to Mont Saint-Michel, the Jura, Paris and back home. I plan to bike to Rome then Puglia (the heel of Italy) on the Via Francigena starting from Antwerp, Belgium come April or May 2023 and back. Good or bad idea?

As Lyn says, the key is to take your surgeon's advice. If that's what you're doing, great.

My suggestion would be to start gently and build up quite slowly at first. My surgeon advised that my perineum would let me know if I was doing too much. I started with 20 minutes at 6 weeks and within a month had built up to 30 miles. Celebrated the anniversary of surgery with a 100 mile ride (which is about as long as I tend to do).

I had partial nerve sparing on one side and full on the other. I use a saddle with a large perineal cutout. No erectile issues.

Edited by member 30 Oct 2022 at 12:45  | Reason: Not specified

Like others I think you are best not overdoing things until your body is fully over the surgery. But work up slowly and you will have a fair idea of how much you can take on come March. It might be best to tackle your planned expedition in slightly shorter legs than you would have done previously, if it all works out I am sure you will have many further future trips to look forward to.