Me-rider

Is it really possible for any saddle to be comfortable after a few hours and multiple days? I definitely agree that some designs are better than others but I can't see how any saddle can help too much once you have been bouncing around on rocks, roots and corrugated roads on a hard tail? If such a saddle exist please let me know because I want to go and buy it! Excuse the ignorance, I have only been riding for about a year.

A bit off topic, but how long have you been cycling? Also how long have you been training for the epic? I am considering doing this at some stage (after I have saved up the ransom money) and was wondering what how much of a commitment it is? I am pretty busy with work so makes it difficult to get TITS during the week. (time in the saddle)

Haha, those damn rehab and stretching exercises. I have done hours of those things mainly because I would do it for a week and a bit, feel a bit better and then stop. Needless to say the problem came back. It takes hard work to stay committed to them, but they really make a difference. Finally I got to the point where it was surgery was becoming inevitable, which motivated me to do the exercises and stretching. I have no medical experience so can't present an informed opinion but I would recommend trying a proper rehab course before resorting to surgery.

Lots and lots of stretching can help too. I have battled with knee problems for a while and mild forms of ITB. Over the past year I have been doing a lot of stretching and have found it to help. Not just standard quad stretch we all used to do during U14 Rugby practise but also focus on hamstrings, glutes, back, groin and calves. Your body works as a unit a very often tightness in muscles can cause refer pain (in ways that do not seem logical unless you are an ortho!). Just get into habbit of stretching when you watch tv. I am guessing it will take a combination of things to cure it completely and this is just one piece of the puzzle.

I like the gloves. I need to find me a pair.

Nice topic Stray Cat, I have a similair problem to you so any opinions here will be useful. The way I see it you have to have to be aerobically fit to cycle well. To get your heart rate up is fairly easy, but surely you need to use similar muscles that you use for cyclng in training. * What I me is that you can get your aerobic fitness up by skipping but I would not imagine that will help you when pedaling on bike as you use different muscles. This will result in your legs tiring out despite the fact your lungs are strong?* * Warning: this is not based on any scientific evidence just my humble opinion, so any scientist out there wishing to prove me wrong please do so. I think a good program should have a mix of strength training as well as fitness? Maybe I am biased due to fact I prefer to ride with a lower cadence but put more effort into each pedal stroke. The stepper is only ghey if your legs are shaved and you have an ipod nano in an arm strap.** ** Based on scientific proof

I agree, my mountain bike shows the many battle scars. As long as the bike functions I am not to worried about the scratches. With regards to Linden Cycles they have always been really helpful to me. When I first got my bike I asked them questions about aligning breaks, changing tyres, breaking chains etc. They were very willing to teach me the basics. That is why I buy from them. After sale service is outstanding.