I completed my longest ride ever at 80 miles. My previous long ride was 50. I ate along the way and stayed well hydrated and even fought off cramps in both thighs. This is was able to deal with. However, beginning at about 70 miles, i began to get a low dull pain in my sit bone. I stoood on my pedals and moved around. I tried to slightly shift my sitting position. The pain would disappear for a few minutes but would eventually come clawing back. It was very annoying and felt like Chinese water torture! I was willing my ride to end so i could climb off my bike. Afterwards it felt a bit sore and the soreness has greatly diminished.

My question is, i am preparing for my 1st century. What advice can you give for avoiding or coping with sit bone soreness to help me get through 100 miles?

Thanks.

Many here will recommend finding a different saddle.

I don't know how much you're getting out of the saddle earlier in the ride (before it starts hurting), but try doing it more. Make it a point to pedal out of the saddle for about 30 seconds out of every 10 minutes. Every hour or so, get off the bike and walk around a bit.

No matter what the Pollyannas on this board might say, when you go longer distances it begins to get painful. Think about it. Even sitting on a couch gets painful if you do it for long enough. It's a matter of toughing it out. It's a matter of getting stronger. John Nelson, though, gives good advice. Move around. Stand up. Take breaks.

However, beginning at about 70 miles, i began to get a low dull pain in my sit bone. I stoood on my pedals and moved around. I tried to slightly shift my sitting position. The pain would disappear for a few minutes but would eventually come clawing back. It was very annoying and felt like Chinese water torture! I was willing my ride to end so i could climb off my bike. Afterwards it felt a bit sore and the soreness has greatly diminished.

My question is, i am preparing for my 1st century. What advice can you give for avoiding or coping with sit bone soreness to help me get through 100 miles?

While this may suggest positioning issues or saddle issues, it may just suggest that you need more saddle time to toughen your posterior. Beyond that, John Nelson gives good advice.

On rides of 50 mi +, I get off the seat at every opportunity. Sometimes I'll stand up & pedal for awhile. Other times I stand slightly when the group is coasting downhill. For me, lessening the pressure of my buttinsky isn't quite enough. I need to get completely off the saddle to let a little blood flow through there. Kerry is also right about toughness. There's always a "getting to know you" period between your rear and the saddle. The longer you ride, the tougher you'll get. You just need to pay attention to the difference between "training pain" and injury pain.

If your butt is doing ok up to the 80 mile point I would hesitate blaming the saddle. You said it was your longest ride (your butt's longest!), so it is rebelling.