Help - Gel gloves or shock absorbing hood pads

[Helene2013]

Update: I spoke with my LBS owner (again! - I swear I'll have a cot bed there soon! haha).

He told me my actual tape is Roubaix extrawide 2.5mm and is gelish/grippy already. He did say that changing to Lizardskins in that context would not bring much improvement but could be a costly change - for little help. My current tape being wide allows to have a better cushioning already on the bar. What he could do though is take another roll and only pad my problem area, without causing too much thickness around the bar when not necessary.

My PT also spoke with me and she'll see me today at 5:30pm for a treatment and talk about our options before my 90km. She will give me some foam mattress padding they use at the clinic, which I could use on my handlebar as well where the hood is, etc. We'lll see how we could install all of this without making harder on the palm (to break safely and not having fingers stretched too much.

Getting there.... slowly but surely....

[Helene2013]

Me again.

I went to PT tonight. She worked on my palm/thumb. At some point I felt a slight "crack" inside and she felt it too. And it did some good for that palm. She thinks it may have been a "misaligned" bone/joint and with the manipulation it went right back into it's slot. She did a few things. I have a stress ball to squeeze 1-2 minute twice a day and keep icing it 3x a day. I should have not used my bike after the 3 falls same day but she understands that we were in a weird spot due to the upcoming challenge. So it is slowing down the healing process the fact that I "squash" that hand regularly on the handle bar. I need to strengthen that muscle because of the squashing and the ball will help. She also gave me 2 different types of foam to try on my bike. I was able to slide under the hood a piece of it. Training is tomorrow night so I'll see how it goes. But it does softens up that rubber part of the brakes. My gloves will be delivered home tomorrow (hoping they don't require a signature - meaning I would be able to pick them up only on Thursday) and it would be fun to try them at the same time as this is my last real training before the Saturday challenge.

Rain being forecasted for Saturday, she warned me to not go if it rains. She said 90km in the rain is not a piece of cake and I could fall and make it worse for the injuries. She would not recommend it. But if not, I will be up and ready for that challenge. I could not be more prepared.

So cross fingers that the rain forecasted changes to cloudy only (would not be as hot) although the temperature is way cool for the season. If I can, I'll have to try an hour outing, no hills, no speed. Just a relaxed ride before the biggie the next day.