Saddle - inconsistent discomfort

[TrekTheKaty]

Catrin,
Are you moving your hands around while you ride? I started having problems at the end of last year, and then I realized I was riding with my hands more forward on the hoods than I used to. I had to tweak the nose down a hair to compensate. Of course, this didn't feel right this spring when my core was weak from the winter, but I built back into it.

[Catrin]

Catrin,
Are you moving your hands around while you ride? I started having problems at the end of last year, and then I realized I was riding with my hands more forward on the hoods than I used to. I had to tweak the nose down a hair to compensate. Of course, this didn't feel right this spring when my core was weak from the winter, but I built back into it.

Yes, though more the right hand than the left. I am signaling with my left, drinking from my camelbak and so forth. I do shift the right hand on the bars - and of course I now have riser bars instead of road bars.

[Catrin]

Update from my ride this afternoon after the saddle adjustment yesterday. I was quite aware of my girly bits for the entire ride, however it didn't start to approach painful until the last 2 miles. It is possible that last bit was a core issue, it was HOT and I was getting tired.

I am wondering if I simply need a cut-out saddle. I did try Knots test before getting the Brooks and though I had passed it... My Trek's Bontrager saddle has a cut-out, and frankly I've not had any problems with it - but 20 miles is the furthest I have ridden that bike.

So I guess more experimentation is needed - I did use lube today and that may have helped during those first 21 miles... I just can't afford another saddle right now so am hoping that I can make this work enough that I can deal with it until I can.

[TrekTheKaty]

When you move your hands around the handlebars, you shift your weight.

Just a thought about why the pain might be intermittent.

[Catrin]

When you move your hands around the handlebars, you shift your weight.

Just a thought about why the pain might be intermittent.

Hmmm, as the discomfort increases I am shifting around on the saddle more frequently. I know that the liner of the shorts I wore today is a little more loose than it once was, it has the blue PI chamois. I imagine that it is possible that it is getting a little large for me that the chamois could be getting a little bunched up and making matters worse as I scoot around on the saddle?

I AM thankful that I got further today than the other day - the slight tilt change of the saddle was helpful I think. I may consider asking him to tilt it a little further - but I don't want to go too far...

Will also try an remember to be conscious of my body position in case this is a core strength issue as well as some have suggested. If that is the root of the problem, then it won't matter what saddle I have on my bike for the problem will remain.