Oh my aching tailbone!

[KnottedYet]

Nope... I actually don't feel it when I am riding. It isn't until afterward that I noticed it even hurt. Are there exercises that I can do to strengthen the ligaments or is this something that will improve as I ride more?

No, they don't strengthen like muscles would. You are stressing the ligaments and stuff. Something is pushing on them, and they are yanking on the tailbone. (unless the padding is giving as you settle into the saddle and the over-padding is actually pushing on the tailbone itself or is so thick that it does stress the connective tissue.)

I'm guessing it's ligament/tendon irritation at the tailbone, more than a padding problem, cuz you say it didn't hurt on the saddle but did later when you were off the saddle.

I could be completely wrong.

My suggestion would be to go to the favorite saddles and most hated saddles sections and read up on all the fun and creative ways of measuring your "sit bones." Then measure the part of the saddle where you feel you are putting most of your weight. If the saddle isn't a couple cm wider than your bones (and flat) at that point, maybe start looking for a wider saddle to test.

Honestly, a well fitting saddle should be no more uncomfortable to your tush than a wooden church pew.

Edit: oh, hey, I didn't even ask what saddle do you have?

[Nokomis]

I've experienced significant tail bone pain on saddles that are too narrow for me. This is usually also combined with some degree of numbing toes or loss of bloodflow to the sensitive bits.

My theory is that a too narrow saddle causes your body to be suspended by soft tissue over the saddle - and that soft tissue is pulled taut across the tailbone. On shorter rides this might not be noticable - but once you exceed a certain amount of time on the saddle, it can result in a bruise that is noticable for days after, especially when sitting.

My reccomendation is to make sure it's your sit bones being supported on the saddle - and there are tons of posts around here on how to do that. If they are, then all of the above can be ignored

I hope you heal quickly - if you need to do your ride on this seat, get out of the saddle frequently to help keep blood flowing thru that area.

[tulip]

how's your core strength? If you are not holding your body properly because of core weakness, you could be putting stress on your tailbone.

I could be completely wrong, too. It's just that I have found that strengthening my core has helped a myriad of aches go away.

[KnottedYet]

Sheldon Brown on saddles: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

[blindwsci]

how's your core strength? If you are not holding your body properly because of core weakness, you could be putting stress on your tailbone.

I could be completely wrong, too. It's just that I have found that strengthening my core has helped a myriad of aches go away.

I have actually been working quite a bit on my core. It is in better shape than it ever has been, however, I am also riding longer distances. So it may not be in good enough shape. Thank you for the advice... I will certainly continue the Pilates that I have been doing to work on my core.

I also have a fair amount of numbness in the area. My saddle is a Royalgel (RGOGEL). It is supposed to be ergonomically designed for women, however, it does not have a cut out. I am wondering if just moving it forward or back may help the situation? I just purchased the bike I am riding, had it sized and fitted... but the man at the shop was not very experienced. I am thinking he may not have done it correctly. I have already had to lower my seat from where he set it.

[mimitabby]

I have never heard of your saddle but have heard bad things about gel saddles in particular. Just because it was designed for women unfortunately does not make it a good saddle or even an acceptable one!

[KnottedYet]

Can you post a link to your saddle? All I can find via Google is a really difficult looking cruiser saddle by Lookin, though it appears the RoyalGel name is used for several other brands of saddle with that gel in their padding, too.

Edit: ummm, is this it? Ergogel? http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesom...343/2792/16460 If this is it, I'd say your problem is due to overpadding. The Brooks B68 mentioned on this page will give you a similar width, without the excess padding. And if you order from www.wallbike.com you have 6 months to return it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

An over padded loner bike saddle gave me excruciating pain once.