Introducing myself...and my Bike :)

**Giulianna23** · 10-30-2011, 04:42 PM

This is not my first post...but just wanted to make an official intro.

I found this beautiful Classic oldschool 10 speed Schwinn Traveler X-tra lite about 2 weeks ago in very good conditions... and since then I have changed the tires..saddle, handlebar tape and doublesided clipless pedals (yes I am planning on going clipless in the future...lol). She is getting new aero levers and front brake caliper this week hopefully. I have been riding her since last week and I am hooked!...The only thing is my right shoulder that its been bothering a little since I started riding...The first day was pretty bad but has gotten better..still bother a little but not like the first day. It does not bother while riding but after.
I am planning on getting a real road bike by late spring or early summer If I can..so I decided to practice first with this one. Off course I am keeping her as well after I get the new One. My main purppose is to get fit and to exercise as well as participating in different cycling events.

Not the best pics but Here she is....

**Biciclista** · 10-30-2011, 06:00 PM

welcome to TE and congrats on the lovely old bicycle! not sure what to say about the shoulder, maybe have someone (Who knows about this stuff) to watch you on your bike.

**Grits** · 10-31-2011, 04:55 AM

Pretty bike! Good job on finding her and fixing her up so nicely. Have fun riding and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I hope your shoulder issue is resolved. It is no fun riding while in pain. Be sure to do some good stretching and upper body strength work as well. If it continues to bother you, you will probably need to find a reputable bike fitter in your area to see what the problem is.

**Giulianna23** · 10-31-2011, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Biciclista

welcome to TE and congrats on the lovely old bicycle! not sure what to say about the shoulder, maybe have someone (Who knows about this stuff) to watch you on your bike.

Thank You Biciclista....

**Giulianna23** · 10-31-2011, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Grits

Pretty bike! Good job on finding her and fixing her up so nicely. Have fun riding and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I hope your shoulder issue is resolved. It is no fun riding while in pain. Be sure to do some good stretching and upper body strength work as well. If it continues to bother you, you will probably need to find a reputable bike fitter in your area to see what the problem is.

Hi....and thanks for the advice yes I think I was pretty excited about riding her and didnt do any stretching nor warm ups before ..also I was a little bit tense while holding the bars..so thats maybe what hapenned

Def..I will keep this thread up to date on my progress and everything I do to and with my babygirl...

**rivergal** · 11-01-2011, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Giulianna23

The only thing is my right shoulder that its been bothering a little since I started riding...The first day was pretty bad but has gotten better..still bother a little but not like the first day. It does not bother while riding but after.

Do you do much computer work when you're not riding? If so, do you use the mouse a lot? I also have right shoulder issues since an injury a couple of years ago. I still had times when I'd be fine during the day, but at night would wake up in agony.

I'm mentioning this because my injury was really "caused" by poor posture especially while sitting, even though I got injured while swimming. A few months ago I readjusted my articulating keyboard/mouse platform to a more natural position and it made a huge difference in my shoulder.

So, it might not be the riding as much as the riding is putting strain on an already weakened area. Just a thought.

**Giulianna23** · 11-01-2011, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by rivergal

Do you do much computer work when you're not riding? If so, do you use the mouse a lot? I also have right shoulder issues since an injury a couple of years ago. I still had times when I'd be fine during the day, but at night would wake up in agony.

I'm mentioning this because my injury was really "caused" by poor posture especially while sitting, even though I got injured while swimming. A few months ago I readjusted my articulating keyboard/mouse platform to a more natural position and it made a huge difference in my shoulder.

So, it might not be the riding as much as the riding is putting strain on an already weakened area. Just a thought.

Now that you mention that ...Yesss....I do a lot of computer work all day long...and I just came to a new Office last March and even though I was happy with it because it is bigger and nicer than my previous office...I wasn't happy with the way the desk and other furniture were set up...I inmediately called the people in charge and they told me that they couldn't fix it because the furniture was custom made for that section of the room and they can't move it. I told them that I was affraid of starting to have backaches or neck problems later... the only thing we could do was move around the monitor because the desk area its pretty big ...but it is still not quite comfortable for me..I do interviews and I was use to have the people right in front of me and now I have them on the side kind of diagonal...I am getting use to it but thats a good point. It might be that..Thanks for the observation.!!

**Nick** · 11-02-2011, 04:20 PM

Welcome! Nice bike. I like the color and the lines.

**rivergal** · 11-02-2011, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Giulianna23

Now that you mention that ...Yesss....I do a lot of computer work all day long...and I just came to a new Office last March and even though I was happy with it because it is bigger and nicer than my previous office...I wasn't happy with the way the desk and other furniture were set up...I inmediately called the people in charge and they told me that they couldn't fix it because the furniture was custom made for that section of the room and they can't move it. I told them that I was affraid of starting to have backaches or neck problems later... the only thing we could do was move around the monitor because the desk area its pretty big ...but it is still not quite comfortable for me..I do interviews and I was use to have the people right in front of me and now I have them on the side kind of diagonal...I am getting use to it but thats a good point. It might be that..Thanks for the observation.!!

No problem, as a fellow sufferer and long time computer user, I know how bad ergonomics can make posture issues worse and give you more chance of repetitive stress injuries. Your folks in charge would be wise to give you a more ergonomic situation, as better ergonomics result in higher productivity and lower workers comp claims. Getting off my soapbox now

If it's around the rotator cuff, you might try strengthening that area with Jobes exercises. You can search YouTube for some good videos. This one looked pretty good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjA0YNAQI7U

Good luck!

**Irulan** · 11-02-2011, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by rivergal

Do you do much computer work when you're not riding? If so, do you use the mouse a lot? I also have right shoulder issues since an injury a couple of years ago. I still had times when I'd be fine during the day, but at night would wake up in agony.

I'm mentioning this because my injury was really "caused" by poor posture especially while sitting, even though I got injured while swimming. A few months ago I readjusted my articulating keyboard/mouse platform to a more natural position and it made a huge difference in my shoulder.

So, it might not be the riding as much as the riding is putting strain on an already weakened area. Just a thought.

I had this problem also and then lowered my mouse and keyboard surface ( my desk surface) to the correct height for my size. Most desks are too high for small women. The surface of my desk is 26" high, the standard is 30". Problem solved, no more neck or shoulder pain once I changed this.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/comp...ons/index.html

**rivergal** · 11-03-2011, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Irulan

I had this problem also and then lowered my mouse and keyboard surface ( my desk surface) to the correct height for my size. Most desks are too high for small women. The surface of my desk is 26" high, the standard is 30". Problem solved, no more neck or shoulder pain once I changed this.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/comp...ons/index.html

Great link! I actually had to raise my keyboard and mouse. I have a great articulating keyboard and mouse tray combo (mouse tray articulates separate from keyboard) but I had them in the wrong position for my sitting posture. Fixed them and have had a lot less shoulder issues.

**Koronin** · 11-04-2011, 02:44 PM

Nice bike. Welcome to TE.

**Giulianna23** · 11-07-2011, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Nick

Welcome! Nice bike. I like the color and the lines.

Thank you

Originally Posted by rivergal

No problem, as a fellow sufferer and long time computer user, I know how bad ergonomics can make posture issues worse and give you more chance of repetitive stress injuries. Your folks in charge would be wise to give you a more ergonomic situation, as better ergonomics result in higher productivity and lower workers comp claims. Getting off my soapbox now

If it's around the rotator cuff, you might try strengthening that area with Jobes exercises. You can search YouTube for some good videos. This one looked pretty good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjA0YNAQI7U

Good luck!

Thanks for the link..I wil start doing the exercise.

Originally Posted by Irulan

I had this problem also and then lowered my mouse and keyboard surface ( my desk surface) to the correct height for my size. Most desks are too high for small women. The surface of my desk is 26" high, the standard is 30". Problem solved, no more neck or shoulder pain once I changed this.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/comp...ons/index.html

Thanks for sharing the info. I am working on that to...trying to get the best set up...

Originally Posted by Koronin

Nice bike. Welcome to TE.

Thanks

**Giulianna23** · 11-07-2011, 12:07 PM

Some upgrades my babygirl's getting done...just got the items this morning and she is going straight to the LBS today if I make it on time... or tomorrow.
I am just trying to make my ride more comfortable and safer by getting better response while trying to stop.

She is getting new Brake Aero Levers and New Front dual Pivot Tektro Brake Caliper

And these are the dual sided clipless pedals she is wearing already .

**Giulianna23** · 11-09-2011, 05:26 PM

Got her back from the LBS today...Wow...She look so sexy... I am in love with her... lol...New brake Levers and front dual pivot brake caliper installed.

I have other upgrades in mind for her. May get aluminum rims or 700c if possible??

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