How to Deal With Cycling Aches and Pains
Cycling plus magazine ask the questions that beginners are dealing with and they asked me for advice on how to deal with cycling aches and pains?
These are my strategies to prevent injury in the first place
“Firstly, a pair of good-quality padded shorts are an absolute must for comfort, and anti-chafing cream can make a big difference on long rides too. If your saddle is too high, it can cause you to rock sideways to reach the bottom of the pedal stroke, resulting in additional chafing as well as giving you problems in your lower back. Conversely, if your saddle is too low your knees will complain.
“When it comes to the saddle itself my preference is for one with a cut-out centre, which takes pressure off the all- important pudendal nerve – if you get numbness down below this is not good and needs remedying urgently. Ideally, the saddle should be horizontal or slope nose downwards very slightly (towards the handlebar). Make sure it’s aligned with your top tube as well, as sitting twisted can cause issues with your lower back, knees and neck.
“Padded gloves afford some protection against road vibration, which can cause pins and needles in your wrists and hands. Forearms can get sore if you are gripping too tightly on the handlebar. Also, if the handlebar is too far in front or too low it can cause compression of the small joints in your neck, again leading to pins and needles in your wrists and hands. Your arms should be approximately at 90 degrees to your body, while maintaining a small bend in your elbows.”
