Couple of Newbie Questions?

Greetings All -

I just bought a bike (Jamis Aurora) and started riding casually about a month ago.

I'm considering doing the MS 150 next April, a 2-day 180 mile ride from Houston to Austin.

I've ridden about 10 times, distances from 5-15 miles, average speed has been 11-15MPH. Although I REALLY enjoy riding, on the longest rides (13-15 miles), my upper back has been soar at the end, maybe some wrist pain, and I'm ready to get off the bike. I'm not fatigued otherwise, without the soreness in those two areas, I feel like I could go further. I'm in OK shape but not great.

So, to my questions:

1) Is this kind of pain/soreness typical for a new, unconditioned rider at distances of only 10-15 miles?

2) How realistic is it to consider the MS 150 in about 8 months? I realize this is a ways away, but sign up (aka commitment) is in October, not so far away. Would I need to aggressively train for this, or is riding 1-3 times/week sufficient?

Thanks in advance, hopefully these aren't repetitive questions.

Amy :o

Nice bike, Amy. MS 150 is totally doable in your timeframe.

Your back is likely hurting because...

1. Bike Fit. Get a professional bike fit. It'll be $100-$200, so if that is in your budget, do it. It will likely help by tweaking your bike and perhaps making some changes to the stem.

2. Your position: I bet you are scrunching your shoulders up to your ears when your ride. Relax your shoulders, keep your elbows slightly bent. #1 and #3 will help.

3. Core strength: If you are scrunching your shoulders up to your ears, you are not using your core to hold your body on the bike--you are leaning on your bars. Do Pilates or other core strengthening exercises regularly to correct this.

Enjoy your rides!

Thanks, Tulip.

I found a place that does a "Starter Fit" for $75. I think I'll give that a go.

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Originally Posted by amy26

Thanks, Tulip.

I found a place that does a "Starter Fit" for $75. I think I'll give that a go.

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Okay, but...just be sure they know what they are doing. It should take an hour or so (or more--mine took 2), and they should do measurements, not just look you over. Ask what is included in the Starter Fit as opposed to their Regular Fit (assuming they have one). I'd hate for you to spend $75 for basically nothing.

And be sure to work on your core and position. Even if your bike fits you perfectly, you still need a strong core and good position. And they don't cost anything!

Some shops will include a professional fitting if you buy the bike from them, or give you a discount. Since you just bought your bike, you might ask them about that.

Thanks - here's the starter fit description, let me know what you think.

Are you around Houston?
If yes go see Boone's cycles (Medical Center/Hermann Park area) for a good fit, or Bay Area Cycling in Webster.
Good luck!

If you go to a PT who does bike fits to have your back and wrist issues treated, your bike fit will very likely be covered by insurance.

The PT will also teach you proper posture and positioning on the bike, and give you core exercises to do off the bike.

amy,

Just a word of advice not related to conditioning- If you plan to ride the MS 150, make sure you do several smaller organized group rides before and get comfortable with starting in a group and riding in groups because you will be doing just that. Since the ride is open to every one there will be a range of riders from absolutely never ridden before novices to experienced. The ride can be very chaotic as many of the riders are unpredictable so you need to be extra alert.

The other bit of advice I would offer is get used to spending TITS ( time in the saddle) time of at least 6-8 hours on a single ride since the first day is very long. The TITS time is almost more important than speed, at least in my experience.

You can totally do it and it will be a unique experience. Some people love it, others hate it and some change their minds from year to year.

I didn't have wrist pain, but I did have the shoulder thing when I first started riding for more than maybe an hour. I think part of it was the stress of being new at it.

As has been said, make sure your bike fits and that core thing is so important, too. Let your midsection do a lot of the work and take some of the strain off of your wrists/hands/shoulders/neck.

You can totally do 150 in 2 days. You have tons of time to work up to long days of pedaling. I did my first century after ~8 months of riding. I was no speed demon, but I never regretted for a minute making the commitment to do it. And it was a really fun day. The next day we went for a 25 mile cool-down and my butt felt great! :D

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Originally Posted by amy26

Thanks - here's the starter fit description, let me know what you think.

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The description says they "observe." Call them and ask them if adjustments are included. It seems like they know what they are doing from the website, but make sure that the Starter Fit will actually result in bike adjustments if you need them. Of course, changing out a stem, for example, will be extra, but moving the saddle and adjusting your cleats should be included (as opposed to just "observing" and telling you what needs to be tweaked).

Giving you position pointers is good. Be sure to ask them questions and tell them where you feel discomfort.

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Originally Posted by amy26

Thanks - here's the starter fit description, let me know what you think.

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I would suggest to keep shopping for a fitting service before you decide where to go.

And, if you like the Retul system, there's also a couple of place around the area that offer that - RPM sports is one of them.

Good luck for the fit and for the MS-150!

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Originally Posted by TxDoc

Are you around Houston?
If yes go see Boone's cycles (Medical Center/Hermann Park area) for a good fit, or Bay Area Cycling in Webster.
Good luck!

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Yes, I'm in Houston and not too far from the Med Center so I'll look into Boone's - thanks!!

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

If you go to a PT who does bike fits to have your back and wrist issues treated, your bike fit will very likely be covered by insurance.

The PT will also teach you proper posture and positioning on the bike, and give you core exercises to do off the bike.

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Wow, great idea -I'm going to do a some research on that.

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Originally Posted by marni

....make sure you do several smaller organized group rides before and get comfortable with starting in a group and riding in groups because you will be doing just that...

The other bit of advice I would offer is get used to spending TITS ( time in the saddle) time of at least 6-8 hours on a single ride since the first day is very long. The TITS time is almost more important than speed, at least in my experience.

You can totally do it and it will be a unique experience. Some people love it, others hate it and some change their minds from year to year.

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Thank you! I found a couple of smaller organized rides is September & October that I plan on doing, 30-50 miles.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I didn't have wrist pain, but I did have the shoulder thing when I first started riding for more than maybe an hour. I think part of it was the stress of being new at it.

As has been said, make sure your bike fits and that core thing is so important, too. Let your midsection do a lot of the work and take some of the strain off of your wrists/hands/shoulders/neck.:D

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I'm hoping your right about the newness causing some of the discomfort - overall I think my body just needs to get better conditioned for cycling. Seems this "core" concept is going to have to be a conscious effort!

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Originally Posted by tulip

Call them and ask them if adjustments are included.

Be sure to ask them questions and tell them where you feel discomfort.

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Thanks again Tulip, sounds like these are good questions to ask of wherever I end up going. I'm going to look into the idea of the PT bike fit first as KnottedYet suggested on the hope that I might get insurance to cover it.

This forum is awesome - thanks everyone for the good advice. I'm going to do another 15+ mile ride this weekend and try to schedule a bike fit for next week!

Just wanted to say I'm doing the same thing. Got my road bike last month with the goal to be ready for the MS150 Houston to Austin next April. We've been riding with the Northwest Cycling Club at Zube park on Saturday's and will be doing a few group rides next spring to prepare. Where do you live?

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Originally Posted by amy26

I'm hoping your right about the newness causing some of the discomfort - overall I think my body just needs to get better conditioned for cycling. Seems this "core" concept is going to have to be a conscious effort!

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2-3 times/week do some tough core work and I can almost guarantee that you will find that a lot of aches and pains will diminish and that you will just feel stronger. It's helped my biking AND my running in an amazing way.

Hey Jenniferh and Amy26 -
if you want to ride with other MS-150 people and don't mind the short drive, the BP MS-150 group rides a paperclip all year round every Saturday morning.
They welcome everyone, and you do not need to be on their team to ride with them. From what I hear, they often have new people on the ride. Feel free to PM if you want more details, I have a couple of friends on that team so I can ask.
There's also many MS teams downtown, most people train all year, while some take a break in the Winter.
Good luck to both on the MS!

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Originally Posted by jenniferh

Just wanted to say I'm doing the same thing. Got my road bike last month with the goal to be ready for the MS150 Houston to Austin next April. We've been riding with the Northwest Cycling Club at Zube park on Saturday's and will be doing a few group rides next spring to prepare. Where do you live?

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Hi jenniferh - I live in Montrose (near downtown)

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Originally Posted by TxDoc

Hey Jenniferh and Amy26 -
the BP MS-150 group rides a paperclip all year round every Saturday morning.

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This may be a stupid question, but what is a paperclip?

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jenniferh, TxDoc - Do yall have any suggestions on finding a team to join, or opinions on riding as an idividual? Do teams take riders this early? Ideally I could find a team that trains inside the loop most of the time for commuting purposes.

I don't know what a paperclip is either.

I'm in Cypress on teh NW side of town and joined the Northwest Cycle Club for the group rides out near Hockley and Waller. i've been on 3 so far and LOVE it!

I don't think you can sign up for teams until the MS150 sign up happens in Oct. I'd love to join BP, but I'll have to see if I can find someone that is in it to join. I'm not sure if you can join BP as a "stranger". I know Sun and Ski also has a huge team that anyone can join. There is info on their website about it.

Sorry ladies I just saw this... they call it a paperclip because they ride on the feeder road of i-45 - so when you look at the route on a map it looks like someone was drawing a giant paperclip around i-45... :)
And yes they do help riders find sponsors to join the team for the MS-150.
Good luck everyone!

My husband and I have been driving from California for the last few years for my husband to ride in the MS 150 Houston to Austin. It is an Amazing ride, there are riders of all shapes and sizes and levels. It is for such a good cause that it inspired ME to get on a bike and I am riding in the Ventura, CA MS 150 in october. Remember its a FUN ride for a good cause. You dont HAVE to do the full 150. The first year my husband only rode 1 day. Standing at the finish line i wondered how a lot of the people made it that far....and if they can anyone can!