Finally something I have some experience in!

I'm dependent on my hands for my living/avocation. My home business involves typing for hours, I secretary (well, NOW it's a verb) on weekends at a rehab. hospital, and I am a fair-to-middlin' violist and string bass player. If my hands tingle or hurt, I want it fixed yesterday. I can't afford to take chances. Did I mention bad wrist conformation and arthritis?

OK, with that background in mind: Walter (the Raleigh) was making my hands hurt. Thick foam padding helped. As did the cushiest gloves I could find. With gloves, try to find some that have a "valley" in the middle of the hand, to keep pressure away from that nerve there.

I did much messing with bars, up, down, forward, backward, all but upside down and backwards. What I have yet to do is go get a real, professional fit. Probably a mistake, but my messing didn't seem to help.

I talked to the Physical Therapy people at work. OK, try to keep everything relaxed from the jaw to the fingertips. Check. Stretches. Check. Change positions often. Check.

Still much tingling after only 10 miles.

Went whimpering back to PT (working in a rehab hospital has its bennies). Someone suggested that I might try a recumbent. I resisted. Mightily. I love Walter. I'm poor.

Resistance finally broke, and I tried one. No hand problems. None. No butt problems, either. Bought William, a long wheel base recumbent.

So, for me, at least, a 'bent is the only way I can put in the miles I want to.

If nothing works with an upright, at least take a 'bent around a parking lot. Some of them are good for mild mountain-type biking, even. (Not my thing, but I've been told) I know I have much fun on the bike paths and streets here in town. My minimum ride is tripled. I've started to plan long rides. And my hands don't hurt. At all.

Good luck with your problems, and keep us informed. I'm always interested in this. Good luck.