Back on topic.

The one study that appeared all over the news a few years back and made everyone worry was shown to be a bit over zealous. The doctor said that it wasn't as bad as they originally said. Same for Bicycling Magazine that jumped on the bandwagon. They'll probably never live that down.

I have a doctor in my club that shows occassionally for rides (road) and he has heard medical evidence about constriction of certain vessels leading to problems in males, but the study was done in Canada (I think) on Mountain Bikers only. Of course they tend to "crack" themselves on a regular basis on the bike frame so that makes sense.

I do also have a riding buddy that gave up riding for a year because his numbness was so bad and his doctor recommended him to stop. He changed over to a rather unique saddle (looked like two pads and no nose) and he's been better since. His doctor says that since he has a somewhat malformed set of internal pathways for the vessels his case is unique. There is always a recumbent bike that helps.

I've only had a couple of minor problems with numbness and usually had to do with the saddle being tipped incorrectly or being too far forward. Bike fit is everything!

Don't stop riding!!