Many people have had bicycle equipment that changed the way they ride. For most, it’s a bicycle. For me, it is this dumb overpriced Specialized Mirror saddle.

I had decades of saddle pain and I thought it was just something I had to live with since I am far from amply padded. In general, 8- to 16-hour rides were feasible, but always accompanied by significant pain. And forget about riding the next day after a long ride — I could barely even sit in my Aeron. Over the last decade I’m sure I’ve spent thousands on saddles to try to find one that didn’t hurt.

The Mirror has changed everything. I’m on vacation and I’ve ridden every day for the last 10 days, including 4 centuries and a couple of 70-mile plus rides, with the remaining rides in the 30-40 mile range. No saddle issues. None. Best bicycle thing ever.

Here’s where I rode today. Gravel and torn up roads on Schwalbe Pro One TT tires (the TT stands for toilet tissue, because they are that fragile). I like living on the edge I guess.