Diving into the world of professional cycling, we rarely get to explore the more personal and often overlooked aspects of the sport. Then, I had the chance to interview Dutch pro cyclist Mareille Meijering about the importance of bike fit, saddle comfort, and wearing the correct kit. I was excited to talk about saddle comfort, which is crucial for performance at any level but typically taboo, especially among women. Mareille, who currently rides for Movistar, shared her insights on the topic.
SHERI: Women tend to suffer in silence, embarrassed to talk about their “southern regions,” including pain, saddle discomfort, saddle sore treatment, and even chamois cream. I applaud the Movistar team members for discussing these issues openly. Why is it important to you to be open about this topic?
MAREILLE: I think it is a very common issue that a lot of (female) cyclists face. However, it is not something that we usually speak about. This makes it sometimes harder to speak up about it, I think when we speak more about this, we can tackle any issues sooner and resolve them quicker.
SHERI: What are typical bike fit issues for women, and how can they be addressed to improve comfort and efficiency?
MAREILLE: A lot of the material is made with male physiology in mind, but the female body differs a lot from this. I think it’s a good development that more and more brands make more specific saddles for women, for example, because the pressure points are very different.
SHERI: Saddle discomfort is a frequent complaint among women cyclists. Could you share your personal experience with finding the right saddle? Any tips you can share?
MAREILLE: Start with measuring the width of your sitting bones to find the right saddle. And then I think it’s important that you just try different saddles, ride a couple of times with them, and find out which one you feel most comfortable with.
SHERI: What are your experiences with 3-D printed saddles?
MAREILLE: Personally I have never tried one, but I’ve heard a lot of good stories about this. Because you can create the perfect saddle for your body.
SHERI: How do you choose the right cycling clothing, particularly for long rides or races? What are your must-have items?
MAREILLE: For longer rides the most important thing is that your clothing is comfortable. You must be able to move freely and be comfortable on your saddle. In races, of course, aerodynamics are very important, so for races, I would wear a racesuit which is a little bit less comfortable because it is tighter, but in a race you will not think so much about this.
SHERI: Discuss the importance of bibs versus shorts for women. Are there specific features you look for in a bib short?
MAREILLE: To me, the most important thing to look at in a bib short is the padding of the short. Because this is in the end, what you’re sitting on and what should be comfortable for you. It should be a nicely fitting pillow that you are sitting on.
SHERI: Have you ever had to significantly adjust your bike fit, saddle shape or clothing choices due to injury or discomfort?
MAREILLE: In the past I had quite some issues with saddle sores, but I initially never took action on this because I thought it was ‘part of the game’ and it was never really a topic we discussed. However, later on when I started to try different saddle it got so much better. In addition, good quality bib shorts make a huge difference here.
SHERI: What advice would you give to women new to cycling to enhance their comfort on the bike?
MAREILLE: Start with buying good quality cycling clothes, especially bib shorts. And then, go to a professional bike fitter to make sure you are well positioned on your bike and with the right saddle for your body. This can prevent a lot of discomfort on the bike.
SHERI: How do you see the cycling industry evolving in terms of catering to women’s specific needs for bike fit and clothing? Are there any brands or innovations that you’re particularly excited about?
MAREILLE: I think the industry is slowly adapting and making more material that fits better to the women’s body, which, in my opinion, is a very good development.
Sunflowers and Pedals 