New to cycling question

dsaint1

Hi forum members

I'm fairly new to cycling. I bought my first roadbike about 9 weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I really needed to lose some flab and I was gonna join a gym, but I'm so glad I didn't now.

I spent a little more on the bike than I planned tbh. Actually, after coming on here and getting links to Pbk, Wiggle, etc I've spent well over twice as much as I planned so thanks for that

Did my longest spin so far today. 55k. But now I've got a numb feeling in my left hand. Also, its like I've no strength in my fingers on same hand. Its even hard to type this.

The road surface on part of the route was very bumpy/harsh with a vibration going up through the bars. Lasted about 5-6k. Does this cause the numbness? if so how long does it last? Or maybe I'm doing something else wrong or is it that I'm simply not used to the distance?

Grateful for any advice ..thanks:)

thebouldwhacker

dsaint1 wrote: »

I've spent well over twice as much as I planned so thanks for that

There is a 'shoulda left the credit card at home' thread about some where:D

Well done on the spin, thats a good distance.

Re the numb hand; prob ok (wait till you try and sit tomorrow or 2 days time, then you'll know you were cycling) but as always you cant really get health advise over tinternet, if your worried go to the doc. Its probibly a mix of vibrations, hand sore from using the brake, shoulder pain and prior lack of use?

Very importaint not to over do it at the start, avoid injury at all cost at this time of the year, welcome to the wonderful world of spending loads of money on things your mates wouldnt take for free:D:D

Ryaner

Re: the hand. http://www.cptips.com/handsyn.htm was posted in a previous thread. Not sure about your situation but it fits very closely to what I have after the weekend. For those new to cycling, a good pair of gloves can usually do the trick.

Muller_1

you may just be holding the bars too tightly, it's a common mistake to make.

tommy_boy

Hi guys, just thoguht I would try a post in this thread. I'm considering getting a bike on the bike to work scheme, and generally agree with the "get what you pay for" approach to most things. Would anyone case to pass judgement on either of these:
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=22339
and
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=28801

I ask as I havent really done much road cycling since school, majority now being confined to gym and spinning classes, and I'm wondering would this be a bit out of my depth? I DONT want to buy a 300eur yoke that isnt really going to do me much good in the long run.
Any thoguhts are much appreciated.
Thanks

kennyb3

tommy_boy wrote: »

Hi guys, just thoguht I would try a post in this thread. I'm considering getting a bike on the bike to work scheme, and generally agree with the "get what you pay for" approach to most things. Would anyone case to pass judgement on either of these:
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=22339
and
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=28801

I ask as I havent really done much road cycling since school, majority now being confined to gym and spinning classes, and I'm wondering would this be a bit out of my depth? I DONT want to buy a 300eur yoke that isnt really going to do me much good in the long run.
Any thoguhts are much appreciated.
Thanks

the bike in the first link is diff than the one in the pic and on the first line, thats the first thing i noticed

petethedrummer

Can't really comment on either of those two bikes. But I was in cyclesuperstore last week, looking for a first road bike for a mate, and they are fast running out of the R-Lite-200 (the cheaper one). Bikes in this price range have flown out the door in all shops in Ireland.

If you want to shop local it might be worth waiting a while till shops are re-stocked. I'm going to try and get my buddy to hold off for a while.

dsaint1

Hey many thanks for the advice guys.

I had been steadily building up to longer distances and I'm out 4/5 times most weeks over last 2 months but this numbness just came suddenly after that long spin.

Sounds exactly like the symptoms in the link Ryaner posted

I've always wore gloves from the start that have that Gel Shock thingy but maybe there are better ones I should get.

Anyway gonna rest next few days see how it improves. I'll go get it checked out after that if its not any better.

BostonB

someone gave me gel gloves and I think they make it worse for me.

Jumpy

dsaint1 wrote: »

Hi forum members

I'm fairly new to cycling. I bought my first roadbike about 9 weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I really needed to lose some flab and I was gonna join a gym, but I'm so glad I didn't now.

I spent a little more on the bike than I planned tbh. Actually, after coming on here and getting links to Pbk, Wiggle, etc I've spent well over twice as much as I planned so thanks for that

Did my longest spin so far today. 55k. But now I've got a numb feeling in my left hand. Also, its like I've no strength in my fingers on same hand. Its even hard to type this.

The road surface on part of the route was very bumpy/harsh with a vibration going up through the bars. Lasted about 5-6k. Does this cause the numbness? if so how long does it last? Or maybe I'm doing something else wrong or is it that I'm simply not used to the distance?

Grateful for any advice ..thanks:)

Jesus, I get that on my 7k commute. No feeling whatsover in my little and ring finger on my left hand. I have to shake it about like a fish.
Horrible feeling. Thats why I want to make sure the new road bike has really padded tape, and hopefully the horn shape will be better than the current bar shape.

dsaint1

Jumpy wrote: »

Jesus, I get that on my 7k commute. No feeling whatsover in my little and ring finger on my left hand. I have to shake it about like a fish.
Horrible feeling. Thats why I want to make sure the new road bike has really padded tape, and hopefully the horn shape will be better than the current bar shape.

Yep, its a horrible feeling alright except dosen't matter how much I shake it it ain't goin away and its in all my fingers on left hand. I'm thinking it must be a nerve thing. I was expecting sore legs but not this !

Think I better get new gloves too I guess.

thebouldwhacker

Hmmm, its a shame that there isnt a profession out there, something between a doctor and an occupational therapist.... someone who could diagnose, treat and cure physical problems caused by sport before they get serious and need to be treated by a doctor and refered to an occupational therapist... I'd call them a physical therapist or a physiotherapist.....


Ah well its only a dream, yer all better off posting your pains on the interweb and buying gloves.

(get the hint?:D)

dsaint1

Hmm, very subtle...but yes I got the "hint"

Thanks

Lumen

dsaint1, out of curiosity what bike did you buy?

dsaint1

Lumen, I bought a Felt F5 carbon