What can you do to your bike to improve your own comfort?  If you ride a recumbent, you’re already two pedal-strokes ahead.  So, we’ll start there.

If you ride a recumbent, you’ll have either a mesh seat or a foam-covered hardshell seat.  In both cases, you can make the seat more comfortable by adding a thicker or softer foam cushion.  Rebel Cycles sells an open-cell foam seat cushion for hardshell seats, that feels like sitting on a cloud compared to some sofas!

For upright bike riders, you can also switch the saddle for something more comfortable.  Usually, you’ll have to try a few different saddles before you find one that is right for you.  Avoid those gel seat covers.  They may feel nice and soft for the first few minutes, but the feeling wears off after about 10km. 

Upright bike riders will also want to invest in a pair of padded riding gloves.  These specialized gloves have a bit of gel or other cushioning material inserted into the palms, which helps absorb road vibration that would otherwise be transmitted into the wrists, elbows and shoulders.  Padded gloves are also a good idea for recumbent riders, though mostly as a fashion statement than anything else! 

Swapping the tires – or simply letting out some of the air – is another way to soften the ride.  Pumping your tires up to their maximum pressure will improve your speed, but you’ll feel every bump and crack in the road.  Try deflating them to 75% of the maximum pressure.  Some bicycle tires, like the Schwalbe Big Apple line of tires, are designed with comfort in mind.  They are usually very wide, and provide a lot of cushioning without adding too much rolling resistance.

Wearing proper cycling attire is a good idea, if you tend to ride more than 5 or 10 miles at a time.  Regular street clothes tend to rub and chafe after a while, and absorb sweat rather than allowing it to evaporate.  Increase your comfort considerably, by wearing breathable athletic clothing, or cycling-specific clothes.  Not a fan of lycra?  I don’t blame you, and lucky for you there are a few manufacturers who agree with you.  Look out for cycling shorts and shirts that look like normal clothes, but are specially designed to prevent or reduce chafing.