I don't know the width of the seats, just that I saw them and thought "eek." They reminded me of the seats that boys' sport bikes have--and I was never able to sit on those as a kid because they hurt.

I'm afraid the pain was so intense that if it were just an issue of "toughening up" then I would simply choose never to cycle again, much as I'd like to add it to my fitness regime. Sitting down was a problem for two days. I stood a lot, or reclined flat. I still feel it when I sit. Seriously, the idea of incurring that kind of damage again makes me want to cry.

I'm wondering if one of those padded seat covers might help. It could add a little bulk to the seat as well as some support, and I don't see why the gym would object to its use since it slips on and off. This is something I'd only do twice a week for an hour so it doesn't have to be pro-worthy; It just needs to be painless.

Maybe a bike shop could help me in making sure my posture is right and figuring out what I can do to protect my parts.