Score!!

[colby]

GLC, I had the same issue when I got mine and it's kinda freaky. I found if I didn't grasp the aero bars very tight it helped. I'm still a little wiggly on mine. It takes a while to get used to riding these bikes but they are so much fun.

You definitely want to learn to relax your upper/front body. My neck, shoulders, and arms are much happier if I don't really grip the aero bars unless I need to (climbing, for example, for a little more leverage). I mostly rest my hands on them loosely. If that part of your body isn't tense, it doesn't refer into your neck and shoulders nearly as badly. You'll still have some neck and back muscles to build, but those will come.

[GLC1968]

You definitely want to learn to relax your upper/front body. My neck, shoulders, and arms are much happier if I don't really grip the aero bars unless I need to (climbing, for example, for a little more leverage). I mostly rest my hands on them loosely. If that part of your body isn't tense, it doesn't refer into your neck and shoulders nearly as badly. You'll still have some neck and back muscles to build, but those will come.

Thanks all!

Colby - My fitter was actually impressed with my back and shoulder strength (100 PU's helped!) and said that it wouldn't take me long to adjust. I hope he's right. And I totally get what you are saying about relaxing. I discovered exactly that on my short ride - the return trip was better than heading out because I was learning to relax a bit. This bike is also WAY stiffer than any of my other bikes, so I'm sure that's contributing to it somewhat as well.

I actually look at this as a new, fun challenge - something exciting to learn! Last winter is was learning to swim again...this year, it's learning to ride a bike again!

Tulip - no worries! My road bike will still get my group riding time unless I'm specifically going out with other triathletes (in which case, we won't be doing any drafting anyway).