I’m hoping someone can offer some advice.
I love long distance cycling, and plan to do a 200 km brevet within the next year (with plans to do 300 km, 400 km and beyond as my schedule allows).
I’ve done 180 km+ and regularly ride 80 - 100 km+ at a time (multiple times a month).
My ass, hands, and legs are totally fine until around 130 km, then saddle pain creeps in.
I will admit that doing these distances on a folding bike with 20" tires isn’t ideal, and perhaps that’s just the limitation I have to work with. I do have a suspension seat post and wear padded shorts on those long rides, but again, everything is quite comfortable until around 130km.
Is this a bike fit issue? A padded shorts issue? A small tire issue?
Yes! But it’s not friction soreness, just this uncomfortable soreness after hours in the saddle.
and I understand you do your resting stops to drink and eat, isn’t it?
For most recreational rides, yes. I’ll stop to eat/drink, take photos, etc.
But I’m training myself for endurance rides, which means stopping only to use the bathroom or for maybe one meal. The majority of eating and drinking is done on the bike to save time.
if you also train to not rest so much then it seems a fit issue, these distances on a folding are amazing to me