Quote Originally Posted by PscyclePath View Post
From your description, you may be bearing your weight on the saddle a little too far back on your rear end.

First issue, bike fit. Your bike needs to fit you like a comfy old pair of jeans. Frame or standover height, saddle height, reach, and several other measurements come into play here, and if you're having to stretch out or scrunch up anywhere, that shifts where you're bearing your weight on the bike, and almost any saddle is going to hurt under those conditions.

Next step, after the bike gets fitted to you, check the saddle. A medium to firm saddle will usually ride better because it lets the load go to your sit bones and not your tender parts. The wide, cushy saddles aren't always the best solution. You might also look into getting a good pair of bike shorts with a good chamois... because on a bike oftentimes the padding isn't on your saddle, it's in the seat of your britches.

If there's a local bike shop that you trust, ask them for a bike fitting session. It's well worth the cost, and you may have to change out some parts (stem, seatpost, etc.) to get all the parts in alignment with your body.
I had to stop to think, but now that you mention it, I don't scrunch up much or often... except when I first start peddling. I'm at a stop and go stage right now, building my stamina, so I'll bike about a mile or two, but I'll stop a few times during that period. When I first start peddling to get it going I do scrunch up a bit, it almost feels like my thigh is hitting into my lower torso. I kind of assumed that would just happen until I lose some of the belly.

I'll be heading out Sunday or Monday to talk to the guys at the local shop. Thanks!