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Post by taffytim on Oct 2, 2016 20:38:49 GMT
Im back into cycling after having my paternity break. During this time the eating was good so my body changed shape slightly... maybe a lot.
Before my break I was so comfortable on the AF that I was considering lowering the handlebars. I didn't do the bike should have been set up perfectly for my return.
Since I've come back I've decided to try and up my cadence as I was always a grinder before. I'm trying to be a spinner now so I'm finding im changing gears a lot more to keep me at my targeted rpm.
I've had an aching right elbow on every ride I've been on recently and today's ride (https://www.strava.com/activities/732097032) was beyond acceptable levels. My left elbow is absolutely fine. Its as fresh as a daisy.
Where should i start to try and correct this? Will it be as simple as a shorter stem? I'm cautious of moving the seat as my legs like where I'm sat at the moment.
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Post by Rocket on Oct 2, 2016 20:53:03 GMT
First of all - you do know it's the women who have the baby and are supposed to put on weight right? Food babies don't count Now, what makes you think it is the cycling that is the cause of the elbow pain? It might be that something else you did has caused an injury and it is showing up now when cycling. If you have lost core strength then you will now be using your arms to bear more weight. Some core strengthening exercises so your arms have less weight to support may be a good place to start. As you said, you have not changed your bike and were fine before you "had" your baby. All you can really do is look to take weight off your arms by raising the bars and bringing them closer to you so a shorter stem or put spacers back under current stem may be a temporary fix until you get back into it. Cycling is not supposed to be comfortable. All you can do is seek to minimise the discomfort. If all else fails then go back to pushing harder at a lower cadence as the extra force on the pedals will reduce the weight on your arms. Increased cadence being the thing you have definitely changed.
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Post by taffytim on Oct 2, 2016 22:34:13 GMT
Well, the misses was concerned about putting on weight so was being really good with her diet. I therefore i was eating for the three of us, lol.
The weight is slowly coming off now so I'm sure that will help also.
In don't remember injuring the elbow in any other way (keep it clean boys), it's similar to the pain I had on the t3 when the bike wasn't set up correctly so I'm convinced is a riding niggle.
I don't think i have any chance of raising the stem as from what i remember the spacers are as high as they can go. I'll try a shorter stem then.
Oh also my core is weak. I'd like to commit to strengthening it but I get bored of sit ups etc so quickly. Its on my list of to do things, just it's right at the bottom of the list.
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Post by taffytim on Oct 12, 2016 19:03:57 GMT
I borrowed a 70mm stem at the weekend and it was far comfier. Happy days.
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