My Worst Ride So Far This Season and other good things . . . My new Grandson!

[ny biker]

Congrats on the grandson!!!

Bad days happen sometimes; they're what make the good days really good. Were you trying out a new saddle or shorts?

[kajero]

I wasn't trying out anything new. That's what is so odd. I have worn those shorts and ridden on my Ruby many times before with no problem. I'd been riding Violet all summer; yesterday was the first time this summer I rode Ruby. Could I have gotten used to sitting on Violet differently? Could I have lost/gained weight?

Something had to be different! I've been fortunate to not have any issues when I have ridden without padded shorts. I think I will try like that next ride!

[ny biker]

It's possible that the shorts and/or the saddle are worn out, which could cause a problem.

[kajero]

Now that I think about it . . . when I put the shorts on I thought they seemed a bit loose and the pad seemed weird to me. I had even mentioned to my DO that I didn't understand why the shorts didn't have as much compression anymore and the pad seemed flat. I always washed them on cold and never put them in the dryer. I don't know why I didn't think that that shorts could wear out -- especially when you sweat a lot! DUH! How many miles do you ride in a pair of shorts before you "retire" them? I hope it's the shorts because I love the seat on the bike.

I guess I better buy some new shorts. I hate figuring out what to buy. My finances are limited due to having no income until I get Social Security next February.

[Catrin]

It sounds like you may have lost weight, or have firmed up in ways that is causing the shorts to "wear" differently. Try on the next smallest size of the shorts you like?

[kajero]

I forgot to mention two things on that miserable ride. An accomplishment and a failure

Accomplishment
I couldn't get up the hill sitting down, so I got up out of the saddle! Yep, I actually rode up a hill standing out of the saddle and I didn't have a mishap! I've never gotten out of the saddle before when riding. Even though I had a miserable ride, I accomplished having a new skill! Of course, this was in the early part of the ride before I got so lost!

Failure
I took my helmet off when I stopped to rest. I failed to take my glasses of first. Of course, the helmet caught my glasses or I dropped them or something like that. The glasses hit the ground and the lenses got very scratched! These were may favorite pair of glasses, too. Live and learn. Wear the yucky glasses when riding.