I’m a 54 years old Portuguese, and a late biker. All my life I practiced sport on a regular basis, mostly football and futsal. Occasionally I still play in a veterans Team. A few years ago, with the difficulty of getting a stable group of people to play, I was incentivized to do mountain biking. I especially enjoyed the sensation of freedom and the open spaces. During two years I rode, generally, twice a week. Then, the problems started; first I began feeling numbness, then pain, excruciating pain. Sometimes I couldn’t even sleep more than an hour without wakening. Of course I went to several doctors, did all the exams, and nothing was found. My urologist, once, suggested me to see a colleague (a shrink!). It was the last time I saw him.
Every day I was in pain. Some days were better, others worse. I searched the internet during months. One day, I found a statement that could have written by me. My problem had a name: “Pudendal Nerve Entrapment”. I read everything I could, but in that time there was very little about it. The “old people” just started to ride. It was a new problem. Then, I found a site which today has a new name “HOPE – Health Organization for Pudendal Organization”. It was very helpful, the information was all systematized. For the first time I saw different types of saddles. During two long years I suffered. I remember the statement I found, begun like this: “Dear sufferers”.
I remember start thinking “If I’m in pain, I’d rather do something I like”. It took about six months and then I decided and I bought online an ISM Saddle. When I went for a ride for the first time I was full of fear. Incredibly I arrived better then I started. The explanation is that with all the bumps the nerve decompresses.
I still suffer with the problem, but now I can deal with it. In the car I have a pillow in a “U” shape; I can’t be sit during a long period of time, nor being pressing the perineum area. When I felt worse I know I have to go for a ride. I’m riding for two years now. Last year I rode more than 4.000 Km. I hope I can do the same again this year.
The saddle I bought? An ISM! Thanks.