|
SYMPTOM |
CAUSE |
REMEDY |
|
Aching
Knees |
Riding in too high gear
Saddle too low
knees are cold |
Ride in a gear you can spin, not a
gear you have to force round.
Raise the saddle so the leg is fully extended on the bottom
stroke.
On cold days wear tights, 3/4 leggings. |
Numb/Sore
Bottom |
Saddle tilted upwards
Saddle doesn't fit you
(too hard, narrow or broad)
Riding too far to soon |
Make the saddle level or slightly
tilted down wards.
Try different saddles.
Wear padded cycling shorts. |
Numb/Sore
Feet |
Shoes with a thin or flexing sole.
Shoes that are too tight.
Toe clips to tight. |
Use cycling shoes with stiff sole.
Buy cycling shoes that fit better.
Try clipless pedals. |
|
Fed Up |
Wallet empty, Pub shut, Bust
R.Mech |
Back to work or win the lottery,
Roll on Friday. |
Lower
Back Ache |
Saddle too high causing pelvis to
rock from side to side on pedal strokes making vertebrae rub
against each other.
Too stretched out on bike or too low. |
Lower saddle so the leg is not
over extended on each pedal stroke.
Is the bike the right size for you.
Raise the stem or adjust the reach. |
Shoulder
Ache |
Handlebars too wide.
Too much weight on your arms. |
Make handle bars the same width as
shoulders. (Cut down to size)
Use a shorter stem or more upright one. |
Wrist Ache
( Leave it ) |
Too much weight leant forward.
Using same hand position for too long.
Bar grips too firm.
Playing with Mr floppy to much. |
Try a short or upright stem.
Vary the hand position.
Try fitting bar ends / Try softer hand grips.
Leave it alone (For at least 24hrs) |
Numb/Sore
Hands |
Gripping bars too tightly.
Grips too thin.
Hands in one position for too long.
Too much weight onto arms. |
Don't grip so hard (Relax)
Use thicker grips or padded gloves.
Vary the hand position.
See (Wrist Ache) |
Stiff
Neck |
Riding too stretched out.
(Forcing the neck to arch) |
Try a different stem.
Try different handlebars.
Make sure the helmet peak is not to low down. (Obscuring your
vision & forcing neck back) |
Light
Headed |
Dehydrated.
Low blood sugar. |
Drink plenty of liquid &
regularly.
Take snacks on long rides.
Energy bars, jelly babies & bananas are all good for sustaining
muscle power.
(Don't not over do the bananas) |
Eyes
Water |
Wind, sun & dust.
No cycling shades.
Ill fitting sunglasses. |
Wear proper cycling shades
(Go for interchangeable leans)
Clear on dull days & tinted on bright days. |
|
Cramp |
Dehydrated.
Riding to hard without stretching.
Lactic acid build up in muscles. |
Drink regularly when cycling.
Stretch & warm up first.
Take a hot bath or use spray on muscle relaxes. |
|
Stitch |
Lack of oxygen to the muscles.
(May be by panting) |
Slow down or stop.
Breath deeply. |
Tight
Leg
Muscles |
Not enough stretching. |
Stretch before & after riding. |
Cycling isn't always problem free, especially when
you're just starting out. Here are some aches and
pains you might encounter, and ways to deal with
them.
