1000 miles....on the bike

[Kalmairn]

Just passed 1000 miles on the mountain bike, did it in about 8 weeks. I rode a 65 mile rally Saturday in about 4 hours with stops, after which I started to seriously think I need a ROAD BIKE - but that's a different story.

I tested a new Specialized Allez Elite - holy crap. If I can do 64 in 4 hours, I could probably do it in 3 or less on a road bike. They are that much faster, and with a headwind it's road bike hands down.

Trek needs a better bike in the $1000 price range, the 1500 isn't *that* nice in comparison. A better frame would do it.

Kal.

'04 G35 Coupe 6MT, Black/Black, Premium Package, Aero Package w/Spoiler, Infinity Basslink, Clear Bra

[InLU]

Yea i would love to get a road bike myself, but dont want to fork out all that cash for one. Love Specialized bikes. Nice job on the time [] but i think my ass would be hurting looong before i got to 64 miles haha

"You're not worthy!"
04 G35Coupe/5AT/ DG/ Graphite/ Premium/ 18" Wheels/ Clear Corners/ Tinted Windows/ Clear Bra

[sav505]

I'm in the same boat InLU. I would love to have one, but dont feel like spending $1000 to get one. For now I just go to the cycling class at the gym.

[ryno]

I've got a Specialized Stumpjumper mountain bike that was great for the mountains in PA. Unfortunately she's just wasting away down here in Florida. Too damn flat. Road bikes are big here. They have bike lanes on most of the roads. You wouldn't catch me in one of those loud, gay, spandex outfits though.

[robb411]

Just had a terrable vision of Kal walking around with his bike seat grown into his bottom like that person on the couch someone posted about. LOL

[GZire]

Crazy miles Kal.

I thought about buying a bike several years back, but then I heard about the potential impotence problems for the serious biker (not that I'd ever ride enough to get into that category). I don't know how well the new & improved bicycle seats work.

Plus with work I'd be riding in the dark after work, far too dangerous for my liking.

"you will rue this day....well go on start ru-ing" Stewie Griffin

[s0l]

Impotence? Ive never heard of that, but I dont do much biking. I would like to get a road bike and get in shape, but I think I will stick to the gym... too dangerous to be riding a bike around atlanta.

[GZire]

Basically the hardcore bikers are riding on seats that aren't ergonomically correct. The blood vessels in your groin area get mushed over the years (many hours) and lead to blood flow problems to the groin area resulting in....impotence.

New seats are out (padded and split down the center) to help give you some relief, but how effective are they?[dunno]

Again this is a condition that the more hardcore might get into. The average Joe Blow probably won't get into this type of situation.

"you will rue this day....well go on start ru-ing" Stewie Griffin

[Kalmairn]

Strangely, women who are serious bikers also suffer from fertility problems. They have no idea why, however, since they don't necessarily have the same problems as men do with blood flow restriction.

Old men's seat designs restrict bloodflow to 20% or less of normal and can have long-term implications for blood flow. Newer, well designed, men's seats restrict bloodflow to about 80% of normal, with hopes that this improvement will reduce the long-term effects of pressure on the blood vessels.

Additionally, men who wear bike shorts consistently are less fertile due to increased heat around the testicles; those need to be a few degrees cooler than body temperature, and in bike shorts are unable to escape the heat of the body. There is no workaround for this, but it doesn't (appear to) have any effect on 'performance'.

I wear bike shorts, however I have *no* interest in a second child so the infertility concern isn't really a concern.

Before everyone gets all worked up about this (not that anyone will), the majority of the problems with blood flow affect road bikes only as riders are 'laying' over the frame. This tips their hips forward, pressing the pubic bones against the seat more than on any other bike.

Mountain, comfort and hybrid bikes don't suffer as much from this problem as the rider tends to sit near-upright on the seat. Seat design is still very important, but the road bikers get the most effect. Most typical bikers won't experience too much trouble as most won't buy a road bike in favor of a Hybrid, Comfort or MTB. If you're concerned just get a better seat, your butt will thank you.

Women apparently suffer more from numbness and nerve pinching/damage. There are a pair of nerves that run through the hips to the legs, in women those nerves are closer to the center of the pubic bone than on men. This results in pinching when on a bike seat and can cause numbness to start in the toes and creep up the leg. It's incredible uncomfortable, apparently, so a woman should look at women's seats if she experiences this problem; also make sure the bike shop will take the seat back in exchange for a different one if the first doesn't work.

...uhhhh. FYI? []

Kal.

'04 G35 Coupe 6MT, Black/Black, Premium Package, Aero Package w/Spoiler, Infinity Basslink, Clear Bra

[sav505]

The first few times I did that cycling class my chode hurt for days. Now I'm more used to it. I hope I'm not doing any damage. They do make shorts with built in crotch padding. I wonder if that would help prevent damage.

[InLU]

I seriously doubt that it would help prevent damage Sav. The thing to most likely help u out would be the seat that u are riding on. And if your butt was hurting from riding then u havent been on a bike long enough to even worry about it. This type of problem comes from people that are religious bike riders. On there bikes hrs everyday over a long period of time. Its not something that will happen over night.

"You're not worthy!"
04 G35Coupe/5AT/ DG/ Graphite/ Premium/ 18" Wheels/ Clear Corners/ Tinted Windows/ Clear Bra

[s0l]

Thats not fun. Kinda makes me not want to ride a bike... Even if its

So long as this doesnt apply to THINKING about riding a bike while sitting on the couch... then I think I am fine. Wait... there was twinge of... no... no... its gone. (the twinge)