I heard Connie Carpenter Phinney speak about a month ago. She said to think of your abs as part of your back. Now when my shoulders get stiff or I feel some irritation from my saddle I tighten my abs slightly. By doing this it improves my posture on my bike, relieves any tightness I may have on my handlebars and takes the pressure off my saddle.

I didn't realize how much weight I was putting on my handlebars until I started tightening my abs and paying attention to my body.

But, Connie says, your bike must fit properly for this to work.