Mountain biking and injuries to the scrotum

After cycling 353 miles over three 10,000 foot-plus mountain passes in the 1998 Ride the Rockies, my sitting bones were humbled. Honestly, those sit bones have never felt the same since after five days in the saddle grinding it up and down mountain passes.

Sit bones are one thing -- cycling injuries of the scrotum are another. While I don't possess this tender anatomy, boys and men out there should be aware of new research suggesting hard-core mountain bikers are at high risk of scrotal abnormalities. After taking ultrasound scans, 94 percent of 85 mountain bikers in the study had some form of scrotal abnormality -- commonly calcium deposits or cysts -- a much higher percentage than the 48 percent of 50 on-road cyclists. Although 48 percent is nothing to ignore.

Researchers stated they are unsure at this point if these ultrasound abnormalities could impact fertility, but past research has linked impotence to road cycling and mountain biking. Keep in mind, the current study examined dedicated on and off-road bikers pushing the pedals a minimum of two hours per day, six days a week. Not a fitting description of the recreational cyclist. Suggestions to lessen impact on the mountain bike include frequent rests, improving technical skills, padded bike seat/shorts and raising the seat to an appropriate angle. Shock absorbers and suspension systems are also critical gear.