Finished my first major ride and now can barely straighten my elbows. Help!

[RedNBlondies]

No injuries to speak of.

My core strength is pretty good, I work on that a lot through abs and back work and occassional yoga.

It was a big jump in mileage, but even on my shorter rides, I noticed this to an extent.

I have had a bike fit, but they were paying a lot more attention to my legs and hips than they did to my arms. I may go back in and have them check that out. I didn't think the handlebars were too narrow or wide, but again, I'll have them take a closer look.

I don't think I lock my elbows, but that is something I'll have to pay more attention to.

Thanks for the input. Off to schedule a new bike fit!

~Julie

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Just for the record- my only real pain on my old bike was in my left elbow.
A lot of pain after 15 miles or more. We decided it was because it was a man's bike and the top tube was really too long for my proportions. Despite all kinds of fit tweaking which improved the general feel, we never could really get rid of that elbow pain. Plus I always felt like I was falling forward too much no matter what we did to correct it.
My new bike is a custom frame made to my measurements. It has a shorter reach and top tube, and has my weight balanced further back off my hands. It has exactly the same handlebars on it as the old bike. Elbow pain gone. Yay!

Hey congratulations on your big ride- excellent!!!

[aly]

I used to have a lot of elbow pain. First, I switched out the handlebars, but it really didn't fix the pain (although it did feel more comfortable). Then, I adjusted the shifters a tad and the pain stopped. I just did it myself and put them where they felt right. Maybe that'll work for you Good luck!!

[NadiaMac]

Are you shifting your hand position periodically as you ride this can help with hand/arm discomfort. Also try to stay relaxed on your upper body.

[BarbaraAlys]

I had pain in my elbow till we made adjustments that shortened the reach, now I don't have any problem with it.

Go back with a laundry list of things that need tweeking, it's takes a few times to get everything in just the right place.

Barbara

[Grog]

I had similar pain on my first long rides with my road bike four years ago.

I went to the bike shop to discuss this (long story but it was not the shop that sold me the bike) and according to the the length of my body parts and to the charts I should have been fine as it. Still, the really nice owner of the shop decided to flip over my stem, which changed my reach distance by about a centimeter (different angle). No more pain!

I got different handlebars two years ago which give me an even shorter reach and I'm even more comfortable. We have avoided changing the stem. But on my next bike, as it was the case for BleekerSt_Girl, I will definitely have a shorter reach from the get go. This seems to be a regular problem in women's bike fitting.