Lance and bike pain

I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested that numb feet, hands and crotch are common for the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a hell of a lot of time on the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?

johnriley1 (at) rogers.com

 

How about racing for a couple hundred klicks with diarrhea (Greg LeMond in the TdF). These guys
can't even do good drugs to keep the pain away anymore. "John Riley"
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested
> that numb feet, hands and crotch are common for the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a
> hell of a lot of time on the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?
>
> johnriley1 (at) rogers.com
>
>
>
> --
> >--------------------------<
> Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com

 

I thought that most of you realized that in pro racing like most pro sports pain was something you
lived with. In the 70's I would squeeze my fat american feet into tiny italian shoes to ride a crit
or rr and my feet would hurt sooo bad for awhile and then go numb. I the 80's I seem to remember
riding a 118 mile course in under 5 hrs. What I most remember is the numbdick, my wife making fun of
it until I remarked. What if its permanent? I went to riding a recumbent because any pressure on my
left palm/wrist causes pain and numbness after 10 miles. As fo drugs...I take a n 81mg asprin daily
and thats it.

--
Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "harv" <harv*no_spam*@spininternet.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How about racing for a couple hundred klicks with diarrhea (Greg LeMond in the TdF). These guys
> can't even do good drugs to keep the pain away
anymore.
> "John Riley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested
> > that numb feet, hands and crotch are common for the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a
> > hell of a lot of time on the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?
> >
> > johnriley1 (at) rogers.com
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > >--------------------------<
> > Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com

 

I have no problem believing that pro riders have pain. It is their machismo that pushes them to ride
through it.

John Riley wrote:
> I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested
> that numb feet, hands and crotch are common for the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a
> hell of a lot of time on the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?
>
> johnriley1 (at) rogers.com

 

"Jude T. McGloin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> I thought that most of you realized that in pro racing like most pro sports pain was something you
> lived with. [...]

I would expect they would feel a lot of muscle pain, but the kinds of pains mentioned are generally
thought of as bike fit issues, and in fact many lesser cyclists claim they can be avoided. I
believed these bike issues and pains could be avoided by _some_ people (not including me, but
presumably including pros). Maybe not.

I know the pros spend a hell of a lot of time on the bike, but strictly in terms of time on the
bike, lesser cyclists can get up there time-wise on tours. That is what brought me into the
recumbent fold, lo, these many years ago ('82).

johnriley1 (at) rogers.com

 

john riley wrote:
> "Jude T. McGloin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>I thought that most of you realized that in pro racing like most pro sports pain was something you
>>lived with. [...]
>
>
> I would expect they would feel a lot of muscle pain, but the kinds of pains mentioned are
> generally thought of as bike fit issues, and in fact many lesser cyclists claim they can be
> avoided. I believed these bike issues and pains could be avoided by _some_ people (not including
> me, but presumably including pros). Maybe not.
>

I know there's a lot of 'lesser cyclists' who claim it is *only* a fit issue, and point at the pros
as an example of a group who has no problems. "If they don't have problems, with all the miles they
ride..." is how the argument goes. There goes that argument!

Of course, the other part of their argument is that you're not supposed to actually _sit_ on the
da**ed thing, it's only there for 'support.' Yeah, right. :-/
--

John Foltz --- O _ Baron --- _O _ V-Rex 24/63 --- _\\/\-%)
_________(_)`=()___________________(_)= (_)_____

 

Paul, I don't think it's machismo as much as an ability to ignore pain/discomfort to almost
selfdestructive levels. Joe Elmira, NY Wishbone #56

Paul Bruneau <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have no problem believing that pro riders have pain. It is their machismo that pushes them to
> ride through it.
>
> John Riley wrote:
> > I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested
> > that numb feet, hands and crotch are common for the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a
> > hell of a lot of time on the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?
> >
> > johnriley1 (at) rogers.com

 

Joe Sozanski wrote:
> Paul, I don't think it's machismo as much as an ability to ignore pain/discomfort to almost
> selfdestructive levels. Joe

Yes, they would have to have the ability, but what would drive such behavior in the first place? The
ability doesn't drive them, the ability allows them to do it. But the drive is behind it. Machismo,
ego, desire to win, poor self-esteem, whatever.

 

Joe, Well put. There are instances where pro football and other pro sport players have continued
playing with painful dislocations, fractures and internal hemorrhaging. I have on occaision rode
right thru a burn and cramp rather than quit half way up. However, the next day, and the next day I
pay and pay. So I go look at myself in the mirror Some relief is gained from massage.
--
Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "Joe Sozanski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Paul, I don't think it's machismo as much as an ability to ignore pain/discomfort to almost
> selfdestructive levels. Joe Elmira, NY Wishbone #56
>
>
> Paul Bruneau <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > I have no problem believing that pro riders have pain. It is their machismo that pushes them to
> > ride through it.
> >
> > John Riley wrote:
> > > I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested
> > > that numb feet, hands and crotch are common
for
> > > the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a hell of a lot of time
on
> > > the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?
> > >
> > > johnriley1 (at) rogers.com

 

"John Foltz" <[email protected]> @usa.net...
> Of course, the other part of their argument is that you're not supposed to actually _sit_ on the
> da**ed thing, it's only there for 'support.' Yeah, right. :-/

Look John, until you people lose some weight and get fit you're not going to be able to take part in
sports such as cycling.

When you get fit, go buy something like a nice Selle Italia SLR, and then you will see what we're
talking about.

 

> Paul Bruneau <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > I have no problem believing that pro riders have pain. It is their machismo that pushes them to
> > ride through it.

"Joe Sozanski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Paul, I don't think it's machismo as much as an ability to ignore pain/discomfort to almost
> selfdestructive levels.

Paul is probably right.

An old friend of mine was an Olympic cyclist. He once finished the last ~100 miles of a 500 mile
race with a broken cable - gears stuck in 53/12. He finished the race more than an hour ahead of the
2nd place rider, in just under 24 hours total. If he had ridden for another 20 minutes or so, he
would have smashed the 24-hour world distance record (IIRC). I asked him what he was thinking that
drove him to finish such an incredibly long race, and so far ahead of the competitors. He said "The
1st place purse was enough to buy a motorcycle. I just kept thinking about the motorcycle."
Incidentally, this was also the reason he didn't keep riding and break the 24-hour record: He had
already won the motorcycle. Seems pretty clear and straightforward, doesn't it? He ignored pain and
fatigue because he had the goal fixed in his mind.

This same guy would do 100+ mile solo training rides wearing street shoes and cut-off shorts - ouch!
I couldn't do 20 miles without cycling shorts. This guy had a very high threshold for pain, the
right lungs, massive oxygen uptake, high metabolism and perfect muscle structure for championship
cycling. He had superhuman power output and endurance. He also had the temperament for long hours in
the saddle. That's how the pros (and pro-caliber amateurs) can do what they do: They're perfect
cycling machines, born to it. The rest of us can just look at them in awe.

-Barry

 

If I remember correctly one of the winners of the RAAM suffered permanent nerve damage in one hand
and foot. Another had to duct tape a piece of 2 X 4 to his torso and around his head to finish the
race because his neck muscles would no longer hold up his head. Very inspiring to the macho types I
guess, but not to most people who probably would look at it as self destructive behavior.

Dick Ryan

 

its not self destructive behavior or poor self esteem or macho behavior as some of these posters
think, its being a high level competitive athlete, pain is part of the game, male or female...but
its quite apparent most of the naysayer have no idea what's it like to compete and train at a high
level and never will understand it. if lance didn't have that ability/focus he would have never made
it out of the usa. just as i will never understand the high level business high jinks and back
stabbing, fraud and embezzlement that occur in modern business and corporations. these people screw
over other their own loyal people and friends, how much money do they need? i will never understand
those people! must be low self esteem macho behavior...lol

 

Fabrizio Mazzoleni wrote:
>
> Look John, until you people lose some weight and get fit... (snip)
>
blah, blah. Suddenly, I'm getting very sleepy...
--

John Foltz --- O _ Baron --- _O _ V-Rex 24 --- _\\/\-%)
_________(_)`=()___________________(_)= (_)_____

 

Driving yourself to the point of exhaustion is part of many athletic endeavors and IMO is not self
destructive behavior, but if riding to the point of doing permanent damage to your body is not an
example of destructive behavior then what is it an example of ? Dick Ryan

"mike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> its not self destructive behavior or poor self esteem or macho behavior as some of these posters
> think, its being a high level competitive athlete, pain is part of the game, male or female...but
> its quite apparent most of the naysayer have no idea what's it like to compete and train at a high
> level and never will understand it. if lance didn't have that ability/focus he would have never
> made it out of the usa. just as i will never understand the high level business high jinks and
> back stabbing, fraud and embezzlement that occur in modern business and corporations. these people
> screw over other their own loyal people and friends, how much money do they need? i will never
> understand those people! must be low self esteem macho behavior...lol

 

"richard ryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Driving yourself to the point of exhaustion is part of many athletic endeavors and IMO is not self
> destructive behavior, but if riding to the point of doing permanent damage to your body is not an
> example of destructive behavior then what is it an example of ? Dick Ryan

well most times the people don't realize they are going to do permanent damage to their bodies,
there is no gauge on what will cause permanent damage, what can be fixed with surgery, and what may
be ok in 3 days , 2 weeks, months ,or 2 years or never. though the 2 x 4 seems a bit extreme. most
likely the individual reasoning process had deteriorated. even on Mt Everest , when entering the
death zone, different bodies acts differently and the climber that was fine last year , this year
may succumb to the altitude

 

What we are talking about is that it apparently doesn't matter how fit you are or what kind of saddle have on a conventional bike. Few of us will ever be as fit as the pros, and they apparently still have the pains.

 

"John Riley" <[email protected]> wrote in message .net.au...
> What we are talking about is that it apparently doesn't matter how fit you are or what kind of
> saddle have on a conventional bike. Few of us will ever be as fit as the pros, and they apparently
> still have the pains.

Mostly it's in say the third week of the tour when they have been doing long stages in very
hot weather.

It's really a great feeling to be as fit as me and able to do 3-5 hour tempo rides day after day and
ride something like the 135 gram SLR Selle Italia.

 

In article <[email protected]>,
"harv" <harv*no_spam*@spininternet.com> wrote:

> "John Riley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I glanced at the June issue of _Outside_ magazine with cover story on Lance. Article suggested
> > that numb feet, hands and crotch are common for the pros, including Lance. I know they spend a
> > hell of a lot of time on the bike, but surely that can't be the case for pros, can it?
> >
> > johnriley1 (at) rogers.com
> >
>
>
>
> How about racing for a couple hundred klicks with diarrhea (Greg LeMond in the TdF). These guys
> can't even do good drugs to keep the pain away anymore.

And there's people who complain about not getting a good draft off a lowracer.

Charleson Mambo

(i don't use smileys)

--
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"Fabrizio Mazzoleni" <[email protected]> wrote in news:yoSAa.77141
[email protected]:

>
> "John Riley" <[email protected]> wrote in message .net.au...
>> What we are talking about is that it apparently doesn't matter how fit you are or what kind of
>> saddle have on a conventional bike. Few of us will ever be as fit as the pros, and they
>> apparently still have the pains.
>
> Mostly it's in say the third week of the tour when they have been doing long stages in very hot
> weather.
>
> It's really a great feeling to be as fit as me and able to do 3-5 hour tempo rides day after day
> and ride something like the 135 gram SLR Selle Italia.
>
>
>

but you're kind of Richard.