Bike Ride 29 - Week 2 of the Bicycle Fitness Plan
Well, today starts week two of my fitness plan that will take me until the end of the year. You can read about the plan here. I’m still in the base fitness phase and will be for another five weeks when I accumulate 500 miles of easy cycling. I should reach that 500 mile milestone the week of 6-Oct.
Last week I got in 57.8 miles which is about 12 less than I had planned. I was short because I needed to take a break after riding for two straight days and didn’t want to ride for four straight days. It was a good decision so I’m not too upset about it.
I was up at 5:00 AM again this morning and was riding by about 5:15. It had apparently rained during the night, and probably not long before I came outside, so the roads were wet with an occasional puddle. Overall they weren’t bad. It was dark outside though. We’re in new moon so there was no help from Artemis.
I wondered how I would feel after riding 31 miles on Saturday and I was surprised that I actually felt pretty good. I intentionally took Monday off (due to it being a holiday and to take two days of rest after Saturday) and it looks like it paid off. I actually felt that I had to hold myself back from pushing too hard but I didn’t do too good a job of it.
Whenever I ride I always have problems with my hands becoming numb and/or tingly. I read an article in Bicycling Magazine this weekend that talked about bike how riding can cause prolonged pressure on the ulnar nerve and can cause the “pins and needles” feeling that I’m experiencing. The article said to try and change your hand position often (which I do) and to try and build up some strength in the wrists. A couple of exercises were provided that I’m going to have to try out.
I saw several runners this morning..even a couple that were obviously out before I was just based on where they were. More power to them. In the coming weeks, I may have to start earlier too. My wife is going in for surgery next week and I’ll be playing Mr. Mom for a while. That means I’ll take over getting the kids ready for school in the mornings and stuff like that. That means I need to be back home from my morning ride no later than around 5:50 so that I can get their breakfast cooked. It’ll be a challenge but I’m not worried.
Anyway, that’s about it for today. I road my 13 miles in 55 minutes today.
331miles on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 11:01 am
Cooked breakfast for the kids? You’re ahead of me in the daddy race. My weekday menu consists of choice of bagel, oatmeal, cereal, breakfast bar (basically cake), yogurt, all served with a side of fruit.
Oh yeah — HOOK ‘EM HORNS!
Al on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 11:54 am
I had a problem with numb fingers/hands early on. The tip about changing hand positions frequently is a good one, along with keeping your elbows slightly bent. Also, never underestimate a good pair of gloves. Like saddles, it’s a very individual fit - but the right ones can make a big difference.
A great tip I got from a LBS was to strengthen your lower back. If you can make it stronger, you will be able to take pressure off of your hands by tilting up now and then.
Combining those has almost entirely eliminated the problem for me. I used to lose feeling in at least 4 fingers and got shooting pains in my wrists when I would stretch. No more.
Bryan on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 12:08 pm
@331: Call me old-fashioned but I like sending the kids to school after having had a good meal. In fact, I like one too before going to work. That said, it’s usually eggs of some type, maybe some bacon, and/or grits. Now, I hate grits but my wife and girls love it. On the weekends, it’s kind of fend for yourself.
Hook’em Horns…I feel like my blog has been defiled.
Bryan on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 12:28 pm
@Al: Sorry, Askimet picked up your comment as SPAM. That’s a good tip about strengthening the lower back. I haven’t been doing anything to do that so I should give it a try.
Al on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 12:40 pm
The LBS guy quoted Bernard Hinault saying you should be able to take your hands off the bars without sitting up and move your hands like playing the piano.
//Askimet, shashkimet!
Bryan on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 8:05 am
@Al: If that’s the case, I’m screwed. No wait, my large gut may be able to hold me up when I let go of the bars. I’ll have to try that the next time I’m out riding. If I crash, though, it’s your fault.
Arlyn on Thu, 4th Sep 2008 2:54 pm
Hey Bryan, I highly recommend you read this:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
It’s a great article about bike fit. I think you’re hands are numb cause you’re putting too much weight forward. The quote from Hinault about being able to take your hands off the bars is about position on the bike, not strength.
Bryan on Thu, 4th Sep 2008 7:29 pm
@Arlyn: Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out. It might not hurt to take my bike down to the LBS and have them check my fit.
jaxgtr on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 11:37 pm
numb hands means your leaning too far forward and putting way too much pressure on them. Probably need to move the saddle back a tad