– I didn’t have any previous experience with sciatica, says Rune Helgesen (56). Now he has it. And to that extent. Seat sores are part of the harsh reality for many cyclists. During long rides, things can get really bad if measures are not taken early. You know when the water blisters burst and turn into open flesh wounds. The year’s “point of no return” and a few days without shoes await. Imagine that exactly this happens, but in the abdomen. This is what many cyclists risk these days, with big races such as the Arctic Race of Norway, Offroad Finnmark, Cykelvasan, Birkebeinerrittet and Grenserittet. Swollen, oozing sores had developed in Rune Helgesen’s abdomen. Bacteria, which probably came from dirt from the ground, caused a severe infection. Rune Helgesen was quickly flown from Alta to the hospital in Hammerfest for treatment. Rune Helgesen was clearly bruised after the finish line and immediately went to the emergency room in Alta. Teammate Geir Lien on the left. Helgesen from Råholt in Eidsvoll had his stay in Finnmark extended by five days in hospital, after taking part in the Offroad Finnmark race. He had been advised to change his cycling shorts often. In addition, he had rain trousers over the muddiest parts to avoid getting too many stones and dirt in his trousers. Nevertheless: – After 550 kilometres, I started to smear myself with ointment to prevent it, but by then it was too late, says Helgesen. Rune Helgesen gained speed on the plateau. At the start of the race, he fell over the handlebars. The result was a broken nose and ribs, but he persevered. Photo: Rune Helgesen An arduous journey The ride was 700 kilometres, spread over almost a hundred hours in mud and bog over the Finnmarksvidda. Once the accident was over, the solution was to put on a few layers of pain-relieving cream, and in addition a quill by the trail. – I wondered a bit how I was going to get started again. When the effect of the cream set in, it was fine to move on. In retrospect, I have heard that it is not a good idea to apply ointment to open wounds, says Helgesen. He and teammate Geir Lien completed the race, but after the finish Helgesen was worse. A check at the emergency room in Alta found serious, infected sit sores. He was quickly flown in an ambulance to Hammerfest Hospital for intravenous antibiotics and subsequently an operation. Two different variants of sciatica Stein Ørn is a senior physician at the heart department at the hospital in Stavanger, and has extensive experience in cycling. Ørn has, among other things, been involved as a national team doctor in both the Olympics and the World Cup. He explains that the term saddle sore is used for various ailments that can occur “between the legs” when you sit on a bicycle seat for a long time. – The most common form is that the sebaceous glands in the crotch become irritated, swell and become painful. This can cause an inflammatory reaction afterwards. – The other type are wounds that come from the skin being torn up gradually. Such damage comes from friction being created, either against seams in the cycling trousers or the seat, explains Ørn. According to Stein Ørn, sciatica also occurs in top cyclists, but often it does not develop as badly because elite athletes have more hardened skin. And because they don’t sit as long on the bike seat. Photo: Frida Ripland Moberg / news – The bacteria get plenty of time to develop Ørn imagines that those who cycle races such as Offroad Finnmark are extra exposed to both saddle sores and infections. Sand and gravel sneak under the clothes and act like sandpaper against the skin. In addition to the body being broken down by physical exertion and little sleep, damp cycling trousers full of dirt and gravel are an oasis for bacteria. – In addition to getting a lot of shaking, you may be cycling through areas with poo from animals or bacteria on the ground, which are whipped up and drawn into the shorts, he says. – Sit in it over time, and the bacteria will get good conditions to develop in the skin. Once the bacteria have moved into the tissue, it is often too late. He believes that several measures can be taken to avoid saddle sores: – One is that cyclists should ensure that they add enough fat and change their shorts often. Both to avoid friction and to avoid the accumulation of bacteria. In addition, it is important to adapt the seat so that frictional damage is avoided. – Finally, it is essential that you sit a lot on the bike so that the skin becomes hardened and tolerates more. Had to break the race It wasn’t just Helgesen who was seen out from seat sores during this year’s race. The married couple Thorbjørn and Gry Hauge Merkesdal (50) also cycled. About halfway into the race it stopped. – I really started to feel that something was not right after 27-28 hours. The nature in Finnmark is wild, beautiful and full of rocks, something that causes a lot of bumping and rubbing on the seat, says Gry Hauge Merkesdal. A five centimeter long, painful flesh wound on each seat made it impossible to continue. – I had a plan to change cycling shorts and lubricate myself often, which for various reasons was not followed. I got burned for that, she says. Gry Hauge Merkesdal during the race on Finnmarksvidda. She experienced getting good help from the ride management when saddle sores were a fact. At the next checkpoint, all the necessary first aid equipment was ready. Photo: Thorbjørn Merkesdal – It was really sad to break something we had invested so much in, but anything else would be indefensible. – We never have any guarantees. Ride owner Kjetil Johansen has never before experienced that someone has been hit as hard as Rune Helgesen was, neither as an athlete himself nor as an organizer. Nor can he say that saddle sores are a widespread reason for riders to break. He accepts all encouragement from the participants that can improve the experience of the ride. – The most important thing is to avoid friction, use antibacterial creams adapted to the treatment of the abdomen, and also be careful about hygiene. Peeing in your shorts, for example, is very unfortunate in terms of friction. – In addition, you can use something we call “ass savar”, which is a small screen on the seat that will reduce the splash of dirt from the ground, he says. Riding instructor and hobby cyclist Kjetil Johansen has never experienced that someone has been as badly affected by sciatica as Rune Helgesen was. Photo: Trond Odin Myhre Johansen / news – We have many things we can advise our participants about to avoid such incidents, but we never have any guarantees that it will not happen, Johansen announces. Uncertain about repeating Before Rune Helgesen dares to get back on the bicycle seat, he must get well enough to go to work. Although the cycling season had to end earlier than planned, he does not regret taking part in Offroad Finnmark’s longest distance. – Apart from the seat sore, the trip was absolutely great. When the accident was over, I received good help and follow-up both from the ride management and from the health personnel in Alta and Hammerfest. – Now I’m not going to provoke anyone and aim to get back to the winter season and indoor cycling, says Helgesen.
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Got a severe saddle sore during the Offroad Finnmark bike race – had to spend five days in hospital – news Troms and Finnmark
