|
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.
