Fit probs, maybe.

[pooks]

So we had a break in the heat and on Monday I rode 10.5 miles and totally loved it -- wanted to keep going! Except, my tailbone was aching. I shifted several times and would get a little relief, but then it would start again.

I can't express how much I loved riding that morning! Late in the day I tacked on three or four more miles and wished I could keep going. Sigh.

So yesterday because it was still cooler than normal, I couldn't wait to ride again, except I kept putting it off because my tail was still a little achey --

And that's when I decided to go to the LBS and get my seat adjusted.

Well, the woman there lowered the seat, moved it back as far as it would go (not far enough, I don't think, but as far as it would go) and lowered the nose a bit, and said that should take care of it.

She also determined that the (um) post the handlebar is on? Was too high, way too high for safety, and lowered it. So she ended up making all kinds of changes. I wasn't sure what to think, but just looked forward to getting back on my bike.

This morning I got back on -- tailbone still hurts. (Maybe that's just from the other day, though, not sure. But I'm suspecting the seat still isn't adjusted well.)

And my thighs were just a little when on the first mile or so, which they hadn't been before, so that made me question all the changes that had been made. But they got a little better and by the time I'd ridden five miles, I wasn't thinking about them --

But I had to quit. Instead of keeping going, I had to quit because my tailbone hurt and the riding just wasn't fun. I don't know whether to blame it all on a sore tailbone that hasn't had time to recover, or whether the various adjustments just took the bike out of what was comfortable for me.

All I know is that Monday I didn't want to quit riding, even though my tailbone hurt. And today I couldn't force myself to keep going because my tailbone hurts.

And I still feel like I'm having to shove myself too far back on the seat trying to get relief from it.

Sidebar: I tend to slump in chairs and sometimes find myself sitting on my tailbone and when I get up, it's sore. When I first started cycling I was pretty sure my tailbone wasn't bothering me at all from cycling, but was aware sometimes it did from sitting. I'm going to see if Bed, Bath and Beyond or one of those stores has one of those memory foam cushions for a chair that will maybe remove the chair issue.

[Kano]

This morning I got back on -- tailbone still hurts. (Maybe that's just from the other day, though, not sure. But I'm suspecting the seat still isn't adjusted well.)

Once that tailbone hurts, Pooks, it can take a while to quit hurting, no matter how much adjusting happens! Before you decide that the seat still isn't right, be sure you don't hurt, even a little, when you get on the bike. Then see how it feels. Now, I don't mean stay off until it quits hurting -- I didn't! That may have prolonged the ouch, but I still wanted to be on my bike...

And my thighs were just a little when on the first mile or so, which they hadn't been before, so that made me question all the changes that had been made. But they got a little better and by the time I'd ridden five miles, I wasn't thinking about them --

That's not too surprising -- she changed the way you're using your legs when she changed the position/angle/height of your seat.

All I know is that Monday I didn't want to quit riding, even though my tailbone hurt. And today I couldn't force myself to keep going because my tailbone hurts.

And I still feel like I'm having to shove myself too far back on the seat trying to get relief from it.

It COULD be the saddle itself, Pooks. When we got our bikes, they came with "plush comfort saddles" and until I got that danged thing off my bike, I hurt like the ****ens! Things got MUCH better as soon as I put a harder, smaller saddle on my bike (specialized dolce). Now I'm not entirely sure that's the perfect seat for me as I'm riding longer distances, but it sure made a difference compared to the spring-loaded "comfort" thing! (which also squeaked when I rode, and boy, if you don't feel like your butt is big enough to begin with when you're riding a seat that's huge, when it squeaks besides, like you're hurting it or something... Let's just say I probably would have gotten rid of it even if it had been comfortable!)

Karen in Boise

[pooks]

Well, I do have a secret lust for a Brooks saddle.

Mimitabby has sucked me into her cult!

Thanks for letting me know that the pain may not go away quickly. I'll just ride anyway!

[Kano]

You could keep aggravating the problem if it is the seat, Pooks, but if it's not the seat, it should go away in a while, if they've got you adjusted properly now. Good luck, and happy riding! (but don't ride long ones if it hurts bad! That makes it hard to go out the next time!)

Karen in Boise

[emily_in_nc]

I ride with a gal who injured her tailbone badly in a mountain biking fall. She didn't cycle for several years after that! I suggested one of the saddles that is split in the back, which she purchased and is now riding pain-free (after her tailbone healed completely; she must have broken it!) since her tailbone never comes in contact with her saddle.

Another tip - if your body will tolerate it, lower your handlebars slightly. Sitting in a more upright position puts you right on your tailbone. I tend to lean forward quite a bit on my road bike and my tailbone isn't even close to being on the saddle.

Good luck!

Emily

[pooks]

I'm on a hybrid so I'm sitting upright. I wonder how it would work if I try to make it so I lean forward more, or if that would just be counter to everything the bike is built for ....