Originally Posted by
John_V
Also, having the perfect saddle for you is as important as a correct bike fit.
I don't know if I qualify to be called a long distance rider, but I'm a 10K+/yr rider, this month will be my 8th 1,000 mile month this year, I've done a several centuries (last one in May of this year), and I'll be doing a 220 mile cross state ride (my 4th) next weekend. I purchased a new bike in April and had a Retul fitting done and I experience no pain when riding and little to no discomfort on any of my rides. I recently turned 71.
So to answer your questions; "Is it a reasonable expectation for us, as we get older, to ride with absolutely no pain whatsoever?" and "Is it a reasonable expectation to be able to ride any distance, or until the "tank" runs out, without any pain whatsoever?" The answer is "Yes!"
I bought a Selle Anatomica a month or so back and it has been a game changer for me this Fall.
As far as the rest, considering the responses on this thread and the multitude of threads in this over fifty sub-forum, I'd say you are the exception to the rule and very fortunate & blessed. Good for you! Keep pedaling!!
But as important as bike fit is, I do not believe that is necessarily the answer to every ache and pain. In other words, if we can both ride 30 miles, 40 miles, 50 miles pain free, and do it frequently, then great. We'd all agree we both ride bikes that fit us correctly and well. If one of us starts experiencing neck pain or lower back pain, for example, at mile 60 and by mile 70 it is affecting our ride in some way, I don't necessarily agree that is a product of poor bike fit.
It COULD be but I believe poor bike fit would manifest itself in some negative way before that amount of mileage. Having said that, I also acknowledge that bike fit could possibly have a cumulative effect and not show up as adversely affecting the body until you've been in the saddle 3 hours or so. I'm assuming that as it seems a reasonable assumption. I don't know that I've ever heard or read that anywhere.
But maybe I'm looking at that wrong and I am in no way a fit expert. I've tweaked and changed things on my bike until I have it relatively comfortable for me. But I can't get much past 70 miles without some significant discomfort and I blame that on my own body's characteristics rather than bike fit.