New Bike and Wrists

[Kathi]

I heard Connie Carpenter Phinney speak about a month ago. She said to think of your abs as part of your back. Now when my shoulders get stiff or I feel some irritation from my saddle I tighten my abs slightly. By doing this it improves my posture on my bike, relieves any tightness I may have on my handlebars and takes the pressure off my saddle.

I didn't realize how much weight I was putting on my handlebars until I started tightening my abs and paying attention to my body.

But, Connie says, your bike must fit properly for this to work.

[Eden]

Do you wear gloves? I find I need to make sure the velcro on the wrists of mine is always done up quite loose/open otherwise I start getting tingly fingers.

[Aquila]

Thanks for the helpful advice, everyone!

I do wear gloves, but loose. I think the angle might be the problem, so I'll head over to the bike shop shortly.

I'm sorry if the middle-age thing sounded off. I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that it's harder to build strength than it was when I was younger, and way slower. At least it feels that way. (Also, I'm probably in better over all shape than when I was younger.)

Thanks again for the help!

[SouthernBelle]

One other thing that occurred to me. Your bars could be too wide. If you are, say, on the hoods, your bars are too wide so that your hands rest an inch outside your shoulders on each side, that throws your weight forward.

Have someone measure your shoulders from the bony protuberance at each joint.

[Aquila]

Thank you all for your help.

I haven't had a chance to have someone measure my shoulders, but that seems like a smart idea.

I had the bike shop change up the handlebars slightly, so my wrists are straignt. And I've been being very conscious to keep them at a neutral angle and bend my arms, and keep them relaxed. And it all seems to be helping.

Thanks again, you folks really help!