Tips from Cindy after 12000 Miles Riding the GlideCycle Saddle
- Adapting the fanny to a GlideCycle seat is similar to the process of getting used to bicycle seat discomfort, but on the GlideCycle, we can all be thankful for the missing crotch pressure. Experience will also help you learn to really take charge of the seat position and comfort as small adjustments go a long way to improve comfort each time you need it.
- Understand the GlideCycle Saddle is not a one time static set up like a bike seat. The pelvic pad is not often adjusted, but the seat pad is worth adjusting fore or aft one hole if you just can’t fit on a given day (your body changes and never glide with a full belly). The webbing is your interface to the terrain as flats give way to hills. See the hill climbing video #5 above.
- As your posterior muscles get stronger, you will be able to run in a less aggressive position and feel powerful with the pelvic riser tube more vertical instead of in the forward tilted aggressive or hill running position. This is often more comfortable all around. This has been the biggest change I have noticed during running. There have been times on small inclines where I have not had to Shift seat position forward and I never could have done that in my first 500 miles.
- Expect days where you jump on the GlideCycle and it just feels more comfortable than usual for the whole run. Then there might be days where you fuss with the seat comfort a little more. Usually riding 15 minutes and ignoring the “comfort” will allow your body to adapt and it will tolerate the seat without making any changes to the last ride position.
- Padded bicycle shorts are really helpfull. Like riding any bike, they make a significant difference in comfort.
- Every so often, as on a bicycle seat, it helps to redistribute pressure by sliding up out of the seat a bit and then resettle back down in the seat. This can be done without even slowing down or stopping once you practice the kip your trainer described a time or two. It will also be done whenever you stop by pushing down the seat pad and “reseating” your fanny.
- More Tips from Cindy:
- Shorts with even a small amount of padding in the fanny (seamless cycling baggy shorts or lycra shorts) make a significant difference in comfort.
- Changes in seat angle/tilt that occur when using straps to adapt to changing terrain really help to temporarily redistribute pressure each time you “shift”. Often, when changing from an incline running surface to less of an incline or flat surface, it helps to tighten the lower front strap a little to move the pelvic riser to to a more vertical vs. aggressive (forward tilt) angle which also flattens the seat position and improves comfort.
- Experience will also help you learn to really take charge of the seat position and comfort as small adjustments go along way to improve comfort each time you need it.
- In the end…it just gets better with experience and over time like any sport equipment. It took me a long time to get used to my horse saddle. If I didn’t ride for a couple of months…I started all over again. But once you tame this saddle assembly, you will have a powerful tool for the rest of your life. Welcome to the weightless running revolution!!
