Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike Seat Question

About 3 weeks ago I bought a 2010 Gary Fisher Marlin Disc MTB. From the first time I rode it my rump has stayed "bruised feeling". I could understand the bruising from trail riding and the bumps but should it be so uncomfortable to just sit on the bike? I've ridden it about half a dozen times, 2x on actual trails (Oak Mountain in Birmingham), and it still seems as though something isn't "right". I'm 6'2" and about 270lbs. Am I just complaining about the "normal" bumps and feeling you get from riding or do I actually need to look at getting a softer, gel-type of seat? I'm currently training to compete in an Adventure Race at the end of October (http://www.gruntandgrind.com) and want to get this issue fixed ASAP.

How much riding have you done prior to getting this bike? If you are new it is normal to have issues until you get use to riding. But, if you have been riding for a while then I suspect you need a different seat. I don't have any issues when riding on a trail regardless of how rough the trail.

If you have a differnt bike that you have ridden and the saddle fits you might put it on your mtb and see how it feels. If it solves the problem find out what the seat width is and buy a new saddle for you MTB.

Avoid the gel seats, when you are riding further they create more issues than they solve.

6 rides and butt pain is perfectly normal. It will get easier. If it doesn't improve in another 12 rides you may want to consider another saddle. The bike saddles that come with bikes are usually universally terrible.

By the way, you should be standing up or at least unweighing your rear end over the bumps as much as possible. That is why they call it a saddle and not a seat.

A time-honored truism about being new to bicycling is that the second ride hurts a lot more than the first. And for some folks, that feeling lasts for a few more rides beyond that point. The chances are very good that it will get better. And like slowandsteady said, if it doesn't, then it's time to investigate a new saddle. The point about not being dead weight on the saddle is a very important one, too.

Prior to purchasing this bike I'd not ridden in years. So it sounds like I should be experiencing this type of discomfort at this point. I'll press on then and keep at it.