greetings! I am a new mountain biker and was previously an equestrian for 35 years. I had to stop riding horses because of back troubles so I have some background about saddles and saddle bags but of a different nature. I rode in a hard seated saddle ( for horseback) and when I went to the LBS for a saddle for my Trek 820, I said I needed a good fit and a fairly hard seat. (It seemed to me from these posts most ladies had difficulty with excessive size and padding.) I had my seat bones measured 155mm and left with a Bodygeometry saddle to fit. I like it but...directly on my seat bones I am pretty sore. The wonderful thing is my back doesn't hurt at any time and I am having a lot of fun on this bike being able to [I]ride[I] again!!!. Usually, on previous dressage saddles, if a saddle was bad it might feel god while riding, then I'd have debilitating pain, later, off the ride. I am wondering, do I need to build up some sort of seat bone "callus" ? Will this discomfort from the harder seat diminish?
I am in pretty good shape, ride about 5-10 miles, 4 to 5 times a week. 119 lbs 5'4" Many many hills, mountains and trails here. If I lose more body fat, this may get more uncomfortable??
Also, on the horses we have sturdy, leather or deerskin bags. Would the weight of those be awful to convert for the bike? How is best to carry heavier items- panniers or backpack or on the riders body somehow? There is MUCH less to carry without the horses!! I am looking forward to biking for our family outings of camping, hunting, fishing but am uncertain without a packhorse to help.
I have benefitted much from this forum as a visitor and am sooo excited to join and participate now as a member! Thanks in advance....