Hi-
So, I've been biking regularly since it started getting warm around here. I used to ride a lot when I was a kid, but it's been about 10 years since I had a bike, and since then I've gained about 80 lbs.
Getting back into it, I've been training at the gym on the side, and my cardio is coming around nicely. Unfortunately, my comfort level on the bike is the chief factor in deciding how long I ride for.
I was having terrible wrist pain, until this weekend, when I went in to my LBS to try out some nicer bikes (my current Schwinn is starting to show its price tag and an upgrade may be in store for the off season) and the sales rep (after duly measuring me up) placed the bike seat about 6-10 inches lower than where I've been riding. This has helped a TON with my wrist pain, though I think I'm suffering some performance issues as my gut now gets pressed in by my legs, and thus affects my breathing. Hopefully I'll keep up my current regimen/intensity and this problem will take care of itself. Meanwhile, a useful tip for the other Clyde's out there suffering from wrist pain.
However, I also have a problem with seat pain that is not going away as I continue to ride, as I'd hoped. Right now, a 20 mile ride leaves me in agony over the last 5 miles or so. My legs still have several more miles in them, but I'm not sure how I'm going to continue upping my distance. My first ride of the season is in a month, and it's 30 miles, which I'll be doing along with a couple members of the family who are seasoned riders (thus I'd like to start making 30 mile runs now, so I can work on some speed so they are not blowing me away). I went out and bought a nice gel seat, and continue wearing liner shorts (no lycra for me just yet). I still have sharp pain in the seat, as well as shooting pains going down my legs. The new seat has a middle, but it is fairly indented. Any other suggestions?
I also (though this is not as big a problem as the seat issue) have some mild numbness/discomfort in my feet. I've always had a rough time in any sport where my feet are strapped in (snowboarding, wakeboarding, etc). Seems I have fairly "tall" feet, and they are prone to losing circulation under pressure (though I have great curculation otherwise). I'm still riding in gym shoes and toe clips, so that may be a problem. However before I spend $100+ on a set of pedals and cleats, I'd like to know if there will be any circulatory benefit, as I'm not really to the point where I'm worried about more efficient power transfer, etc. Thanks in advance for the help.
So, I've been biking regularly since it started getting warm around here. I used to ride a lot when I was a kid, but it's been about 10 years since I had a bike, and since then I've gained about 80 lbs.
Getting back into it, I've been training at the gym on the side, and my cardio is coming around nicely. Unfortunately, my comfort level on the bike is the chief factor in deciding how long I ride for.
I was having terrible wrist pain, until this weekend, when I went in to my LBS to try out some nicer bikes (my current Schwinn is starting to show its price tag and an upgrade may be in store for the off season) and the sales rep (after duly measuring me up) placed the bike seat about 6-10 inches lower than where I've been riding. This has helped a TON with my wrist pain, though I think I'm suffering some performance issues as my gut now gets pressed in by my legs, and thus affects my breathing. Hopefully I'll keep up my current regimen/intensity and this problem will take care of itself. Meanwhile, a useful tip for the other Clyde's out there suffering from wrist pain.
However, I also have a problem with seat pain that is not going away as I continue to ride, as I'd hoped. Right now, a 20 mile ride leaves me in agony over the last 5 miles or so. My legs still have several more miles in them, but I'm not sure how I'm going to continue upping my distance. My first ride of the season is in a month, and it's 30 miles, which I'll be doing along with a couple members of the family who are seasoned riders (thus I'd like to start making 30 mile runs now, so I can work on some speed so they are not blowing me away). I went out and bought a nice gel seat, and continue wearing liner shorts (no lycra for me just yet). I still have sharp pain in the seat, as well as shooting pains going down my legs. The new seat has a middle, but it is fairly indented. Any other suggestions?
I also (though this is not as big a problem as the seat issue) have some mild numbness/discomfort in my feet. I've always had a rough time in any sport where my feet are strapped in (snowboarding, wakeboarding, etc). Seems I have fairly "tall" feet, and they are prone to losing circulation under pressure (though I have great curculation otherwise). I'm still riding in gym shoes and toe clips, so that may be a problem. However before I spend $100+ on a set of pedals and cleats, I'd like to know if there will be any circulatory benefit, as I'm not really to the point where I'm worried about more efficient power transfer, etc. Thanks in advance for the help.