No, it doesn't bother me. I get sore, on really long rides, in the crease where my underwear would go. I ride with the nose slightly up, too.

I don't think the gel does anything.

http://tinyurl.com/oy87m

I rode around the parking lot on this saddle for about five minutes and it was interesting. The front parts were all out in mid-air- not touching anything. I felt like it was wide, but couldn't say if that meant uncomfortable- it was just different. It felt like my ishial bones were taking all my weight- but more to the front of the bones, not the tuberosity-sit bones part. Again, not in an uncomfortable way, but really different.

The saddle itself is very well made- quality leather, ti rails. $149. Not a cheap experiment.

Blackwell also makes another saddle called the Flow, which is more traditional, which gets excellent reviews. $99.