Getting Started

[Aubrey]

I'm just getting started and would love some input from both beginners and seasoned riders. I've been riding on a borrowed Pinarello for two weeks or so. I'm mid 40's been athletic for most of my adult life, with a few periods of inactivity. I think I'm already hooked! Gone on a few fun rides and up to riding 20 to 30 miles per ride. Here's are a few questions:
1. Is it normal for the base of my neck and top of my shoulders to ache so much? I've been riding some decent distances, but need to stop not because I'm tired but because my neck and upper back are screaming. Is this just a strength building issue or posture on bike or wrong bike?
2. My legs feel a little sore but in a good way...which I expect...but, my butt is really sore! Will this abate, do seats really make a big difference and is there a difference between men's bike shorts and women's...I raided my husband's cycling drawer and am wearing a pair of his.
3. I'm going to have to give up my borrowed bike and get one of my own...any brands/types that you love?

Thanks!

[DebW]

Soreness in the neck, shoulders, and butt should all be expected when you start riding and aren't used to the bike position and muscles that you are using. But---go to a good bike shop and have them check the fit of the bike you are riding. Proper fitting can make a huge difference. And yes, the saddle can make a difference too, but first make sure it is at the right height and correct fore/aft position and correct tilt.

[LynneK]

Hi Aubrey,

Isn't it fun how infectious and exhilirating this is?

Here are my thoughts on your questions:

-shoulder/neck muscle soreness: are you locking your elbows, especially after 15+ miles as you get tired? If you do that, you drive the pressure of keeping your body upright into your hands and your trapezius muscles. Try to ride with your body bent at the waist so that your elbows are not locked and you're looking down directly onto the hub of your front wheel. And that's the second part of the story: are you sitting forward enough, or are you so stretched out that you have to lock your elbows to keep your saddle position? Try adjusting your saddle forward so that you can just see the hub of your wheel below your handlebars, and if the bike fits you, that saddle position will be just right to have your knee over your ankle when your feet are on the pedals at halfway around the pedal circle.

-saddle soreness: do you mean sit-bone soreness or muscle soreness in the general glute area? Sit-bone soreness can mean either you need to build up endurance and get used to it or you need to find a saddle that better agrees with you. If it's muscle soreness, I recommend stretches that concentrate on the glutes and the piriformis muscle, such as the yoga pose pigeon and the stretch where you cross your ankle over your knee and bend over it.

Hope that helps!

[Aubrey]

Thanks for the advice. Lot's of bike shops here in Southern Cal. Time to get serious about a bike purchase...UGH.

[Kalidurga]

3. I'm going to have to give up my borrowed bike and get one of my own...any brands/types that you love?

Dunno what sort of riding you're planning to do, but in my (not so) humble opinion... Cyclocross bikes rock!

I have a slight kyphosis at the base of my neck, so soreness in the neck/shoulders is always a problem for me. I've found that a) a good fitting, and b) changing my hand position frequently and leaning my head a few degrees to one side and then the other now and again while I ride helps quite a bit. If you scroll down at this link to the RoadBikeRider articles page, there's a great article on "How to Perfect Your Position & Technique" (RoadBikeRider rocks, too).

[Aubrey]

LynneK,

I'm not aware of locking my elbows, the pain in neck and shoulders starts within first 3-5 miles...feels like it's from bending forward over bike and simply by keeping head up to watch road, I get the pain. Other pain is definitely sit bone related. Thanks for your advice!

[HappyAnika]

Hi there! The neck/shoulder pain could be fit related . . . or . . .I noticed I had some when I first started riding, then also after I had been off the bike for a couple of weeks then started up again. I naturally carry a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders, I find I hunch up a lot in all sorts of situations. I do a step aerobics class at the gym, and our instructor is always saying "Keep your shoulder blades in your back pockets". If I say this to myself while riding, I'll remember to relax through the shoulders and I don't get sore. Sit bone soreness is natural for the first couple of weeks. If it persists after that, I'd say you have a shorts, and/or saddle problem. Finally, if you're going to go road bike shopping, I'd recommend Trek bikes. I have a 1500 WSD road, lots of other people here have Pilots which offer a more upright position (which you might consider if the neck/shoulder thing persists). I like Trek because they own Bontrager, which enables them to outfit their bikes with better components for less money than other brands. That said, 3 of my girlfriends all have Specialized bikes, which I thought I would love, but I loved the Trek more. Bottom line is bikes are a very personal thing, ride lots of them (and go back to ride them a 2nd, 3rd, 4th. . . times) to see what feels good to you. You'll know it when you find the right one.

[Aubrey]

Thanks for your insights. I love Team Estrogen...especially since I've noticed while riding, how few women I see out there.

Thanks again.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks for the advice. Lot's of bike shops here in Southern Cal. Time to get serious about a bike purchase...UGH.

Oh no no no no Aubrey!
Not "UGH"

Its - woohoo!!!

And if its the cost of the bike you are worried about - don't worry!

...how to budget to buy a bike is easy... of course, the first cost to reduce is petrol and car maintenance (easy - you'll be riding your bike)

... second cost to reduce... also easy... those parties and dinners you have to go to and bring food with you? Road kill is a fresh and interesting dish easily collected - at no cost - while out riding.

... heating and power bills? easy again... buy a wind trainer as part of the deal and then you can sit on the bike to warm yourself up... of course, you won''t want TV cause you will be busy reading cycling articles, books and interesting forums like this... and the lights will get minimal use because you'll be healthily tired each night and can go to bed early! Your main power costs will be the fridge (for chocolate milk and easily heated leftovers), the microwave (to heat the quick leftovers and cook rice), one element on your oven (to cook pasta) and your PC to read TE!

...Phone? you only need the internet connection to stay in touch with all the cool cycling forums and bike sites. you wont have time to talk on the phone - beside, if your friends dont talk bikes, or arent willing to listen to you talk bikes - what kind of friends are they???

So... go and enjoy hunting for the perfect bike, and dont worry if you see more than one you like... many of us have a stable and that is completely justifiable and rational... and using some of the cost-cutting measures in your life I have mentioned (I'm sure some of the other gals here can think of ways to be as "helpful" as me...) you'll be able to build a stable of fine steeds for any conditions!

[Kalidurga]

... second cost to reduce... also easy... those parties and dinners you have to go to and bring food with you? Road kill is a fresh and interesting dish easily collected - at no cost - while out riding.

Uhhh, yeah, but don't you have to buy a basket or panniers/rack or something to transport the roadkill to said party or dinner?

[mimitabby]

Oh no no no no Aubrey!
Not "UGH"

Its - woohoo!!!

And if its the cost of the bike you are worried about - don't worry!

...how to budget to buy a bike is easy... of course, the first cost to reduce is petrol and car maintenance (easy - you'll be riding your bike)

... second cost to reduce... also easy... those parties and dinners you have to go to and bring food with you? Road kill is a fresh and interesting dish easily collected - at no cost - while out riding.

... heating and power bills? easy again... buy a wind trainer as part of the deal and then you can sit on the bike to warm yourself up... of course, you won''t want TV cause you will be busy reading cycling articles, books and interesting forums like this... and the lights will get minimal use because you'll be healthily tired each night and can go to bed early! Your main power costs will be the fridge (for chocolate milk and easily heated leftovers), the microwave (to heat the quick leftovers and cook rice), one element on your oven (to cook pasta) and your PC to read TE!

...Phone? you only need the internet connection to stay in touch with all the cool cycling forums and bike sites. you wont have time to talk on the phone - beside, if your friends dont talk bikes, or arent willing to listen to you talk bikes - what kind of friends are they???

So... go and enjoy hunting for the perfect bike, and dont worry if you see more than one you like... many of us have a stable and that is completely justifiable and rational... and using some of the cost-cutting measures in your life I have mentioned (I'm sure some of the other gals here can think of ways to be as "helpful" as me...) you'll be able to build a stable of fine steeds for any conditions!

Not to mention, you won't be wasting time in shopping malls (unless they have a bike shop) or watching movies (except for a few about bikes)

You will eventually spend a lot less on makeup and hair styling because you won't have time for it.

You know, most of us have saved a fortune by riding our bikes.!
ha, and if you believe that, i've got a bridge i'd like to sell you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The MORE bikes you test ride and the more bikes you ask about and read about and look at, the more likely you will be to purchase one that is RIGHT for you and right for what you want it to do and how good it will feel.

Don't buy on impulse, try out a bunch of bikes, talk about fit, look up internet sites about getting the right fit on your bike. Get a feel as to what kind of bike will suit your needs for the kind of riding you want to do.

The more bikes you test ride, the more you will know the difference between a bike that suits you and a bike that doesn't. Spend the extra bit of time building your knowledge base so that you won't buy a bike that is not quite right for you and not be happy with it.

[donnambr]

I'm susceptible to the neck and shoulder pain myself. I read somewhere that this is a problem area for 60% of women cyclists. I don't think office computer work helps, either. In addition to watching my posture while riding, I do a lot of stretches that help. My chiropractor got me doing "wall angels". They've made a huge difference. I also do a lot of yoga that targets that area. Unfortunately, I've discovered that nothing helps in the 48 hours before my period starts. PMS is a fascinating phenomenon.