In just about 8 weeks (June 16), I’ll be heading out for
a 50 day, 3,667 mile bike ride across North America – starting in Oregon and
ending, God willing, in New Hampshire. And I’m travelling first class. Here’s a
picture of my seat, or as known to cyclists, my saddle. When I’ve shown this to
others, most have reacted by saying, “OUCH!!”
While I admit, the saddle can, at times, get to be a pain
in the you-know-what, for the most part, it is pretty comfortable, despite the
lack of padding. Granted, it does take some getting used to and it helps if you
ride a lot. You have to develop all the
muscles you use and the glutes are the major muscle group used in cycling. My
saddle measures 6 inches across at its widest point and 11 inches from the back
to the tip of the nose. I figure it gives me just a little less than 30 square
inches to ride on. Not much for such a
long trip.
Perhaps the first thing you have to realize is that it’s
not going to be like a first class seat in a jet (not even coach) and it’s not really
there to nestle into like you would in an easy chair. Where a seat is designed
to support all your weight, a saddle is made to support part of your weight. It’s
actually there to provide one of 3 points of balance – saddle, handlebars and
pedals. Believe it or not, a lot of
science has gone into the development of the bicycle saddle. As uncomfortable
as it might look, it has taken nearly 150 years of ongoing improvements for the
saddle to evolve into its present form. It is designed to provide just enough surface
area in the back for the “sit” bones (the ischial tuberosities) to rest. While
the rear of the seat supports your sit bones, the front (nose) of the seat is
designed to help control the bike with your thighs and support some body weight.
Because the legs are up and down thousands of times on a ride, the nose of the
saddle is as narrow as it is so there is as little as possible to get in the
way – otherwise there can be a lot of chafing!
And softer is not always better. Softer saddles actually provide less
support for the muscles. It’s the same as a bed. I much prefer a harder
mattress.
I will admit that riding day after day, mile after mile
can, at times create some problems for the back side. I do wonder how I will
hold up for 50 days. I’ve known a few guys that have had some problems along
the way. There are some tips I’ve learned over the years, but I’ll spare you
the details. I just hope they work. The
biggest thing is to prepare. For the next few weeks I hope to be in the saddle
at least 3 to 4 days a week. After I retire (May 10), I’ll be on the road 5 or
6 days a week, trying to get both my legs and my rear “point of balance” in
condition.
