New road bike after 25 years: what soreness is normal?

[tiva]

How's your core?
.

Pretty good--in the winter, I skate ski or classic ski 4 or 5 days a week, and in the summer, I teach sea kayaking and rolling. But off seasons aren't the best for keeping my core in shape--I hike with the dogs and work on our farm, but that's not really core work.

[marni]

you need to work on your core dailly as well as your arms and shoulders. It is your core that supports everything else and takes the stress off your shoulders and arms as well as supporting and providing leverage and strength for your legs. Work into the riding slowly, go slightly over your absolute comfort level but not to the extent of injuring yourself. Personally it takes me at least 200 miles to adjust and toughen up to a new saddle even if it is exactly the same make and model as the previous one and somewhat less time if I tweek my fit in any other way.

Hang in there, strengthen up your core and arms and shoulders and work into the miles and if it doesn't get better, consider a refit.

go you

marni

[OakLeaf]

Definitely put a saddle on that you think will work for you, before getting re-fit. Even a slightly different saddle completely changes the way I sit on the bike.

[tiva]

Thanks--I have a new saddle on the way.

[MommyBird]

I am back on a road bike after 20+ years. I have a Synapse Carbon 6.

When I started last fall my biggest issue was my elbows. It went away after about 5 rides.
I have had one seat issue. Started at around 23 miles on a charity ride. It was strange as it was not my first time at that mileage. I rode to 33 miles that day and it was not fun. I have surpassed that mileage many times since with no problem.
My neck hasn't experienced more than a tinge of mild pain here and there.
My biggest problem is that my left hand falls asleep. I keep a nice relaxed bend in my right arm but I find myself straightening my left and shrugging that shoulder. I have to concentrate to avoid this. Numbness hits around 15 miles.

Sounds like you are well conditioned but you are using some new muscle groups due to the road geometry. I would give it a couple more rides before you start making changes. I thought the elbow issue was going to require a new set of bars and then it was just gone. Poof.

My 17 year old son, who is a competitive rower, is currently getting used to his new road bike. He also skates 8+ hours most weekends. He has my elbow issue and his seat hurts. He can't get out much until rowing practice ends for the summer. We will see how he works through the issues when he can spend some real time in the saddle.

Welcome back.