The Parable of the Nose-Less Bicycle Seat

Once upon a time, a man decided to replace the seat on his mountain bike. This man rode his bicycle hard, so the seat took a lot of abuse. It was old and badly worn, the fabric was torn in places, and the padding was virtually gone. This was a traditional seat: the kind with limited support for his rear, while most of his weight actually rested on the nose of the seat that extended between his legs. This style of seat is called a “saddle”, because the rider actually sits astride it. 

The man’s saddle-seat had a proven track record of success. It allowed for great control on the dirt trails where he rode, because he could grip the saddle between his thighs. But the saddle also was uncomfortable, causing soreness – and even numbness – in his groin, thighs, and lower back. In fact, the man’s physician said that some riders suffer permanent nerve damage from saddle seats.

So the man began his quest for a replacement, and he discovered that a new style of seat had been developed: the nose-less bicycle seat. The nose-less style was not a proven technology, but it promised to solve the problem of pain and numbness. So the man took a risk and decided to try the new seat.

Instead of a saddle, this seat actually is a “platform”.  Since there is no nose to straddle, the man sits on two small, firm pads that support his rear. There is no pressure on the nerves, so there is no pain or soreness or numbness.

The first time the man rode on his new seat, he could not believe how comfortable it felt. But he quickly learned that this new seat also produced some new challenges. Without a saddle to grip between his legs, balancing the bicycle was trickier. Particularly when riding on rough terrain, or navigating steep and rutted downhill trails, maintaining control was difficult. He had to experiment with different seat heights and seat angles. He had to adopt a whole new riding posture. And when he changed his riding posture, it created aches and pains in his wrists! This required him to raise the handlebars to a new position. As each set of changes produced new problems, he began to wonder if he had made a wise decision in purchasing this new and unproven style of seat.

But after several rides, the man figured out the proper seat height and angle. He had properly adjusted the handlebars. He had mastered the new riding technique. And he now realized that the nose-less bicycle seat would enable him to enjoy his riding so much more – without pain, without discomfort, and with no possibility of long-term nerve damage. Getting the full benefits of the seat had required patience, and some trial and error…but all of the changes ultimately paid off.

My adventure with the new bike seat seems to be an appropriate metaphor for the changes that are taking place in my life. God is continually giving me insights into myself, and drawing me into new ways of understanding Him. This is exciting, but I find that each change – no matter how wonderful – produces its own set of new challenges (just as changing the seat affected my wrists and my riding posture). All of the change in my life has been worth it, but it is requiring patience.  A lot of patience.  Because it’s taking time for me to learn how to “ride” comfortably as my relationship with God moves into new territory.

- Bruce