I got an hour bike ride in and I walked and got my chit chat session in. It was all in all a good evening!
Soooooo I'm going to get the white elephant out in the open. I bought my new bike and was so excited. I knew it would be an adjustment but didn't expect too much difficulty. Seriously, I ride my trek quite a bit...I rode it on Monday for 20 miles....it shouldn't be too difficult to ride a road bike.....right? I however quickly figured out that my new bike threw me into a world of hurt. Yes. It's a painful experience. It HURTS!
Lets start at the bottom.
*My toes go numb when I ride. I can't really say that it's anything to do with my new bike. My toes go numb on my Trek too....so I'm not too concerned about that.
* My left foot HURTS. I don't know if we attached the clip into the shoe a bit off or something (I'm going to have my brother look at it). I know that I've had some pain in this foot for more than a year, so it could just be a combination of that issue and a different use of the foot. I ignore this pain.
* Hills. I typically ride the canal on my Trek (or a rail trail). It's relatively flat. Hills make the thighs SING and burn!!!! Not too concerned, this is just a problem that will happen and will ease up as I build up the different muscle set that is conducive to hilly bike ridng.
* Back. Yeah, I'm more hunched over when I ride my lite speed. My back feels it. It gets stiff and achy. Once again this will ease up as I get used to riding a road bike.
*My arms and upper body get SOOOO tired and achy as my hands and arms support my upper body on the bike. I ache. Once again.....just building up the body, muscles and getting adjusted. It's all good.
So yeah, I'm in a world of hurt with this. But I will NOT fail. I will NOT let the bike beat me! I know it's just a thing of DOING it on a regular basis. I just need to remember that it WILL get easier!
SOooo on the bike tonight I was riding along and hurting. I carried on a two sided conversation in my head.
MaryFran: I want to quit!!!!
Voice: Why?
MaryFran: It hurts!
Voice: Are you dying?
MaryFran: No
Voice: Then keep going. Suck it up buttercup.
And I did. I kept going and I didn't die.
I'm planning on going riding with Todd on Saturday (weather permitting and he doesnt back out). I've suggested the Washington and Old Dominion Rail Trail. I've told him that I plan on taking my lite speed and riding that. I've already informed Todd that I will probably be snivelling and cryng by the time we are done! (ok, maybe not quite that bad)
I will conquer this. Failure is NOT an option. I will get to the point that I can ride with my brother and not hold him back (too much at least). I will conquer this and knock these bucket list bike rides off my list. I will WIN!
2 comments:
I do long distance cycling with a road bike and love it so much more than a mountain bike. I'm by no means an expert but I have a few duh suggestions....one...for the arms...the better the padded glove, the less numbness and tingling I have. I also have straight handle bars so I don't do as much leaning. For the numb foot, my bike shop said that it's due to ill fitting shoes. I moved the clips in my shoes almost to the top of the holder though I use the second hole, made me not have toes down so much on the down peddle and I could flex my foot to pull up....hopefully you get used to it soon and enjoy it!
Toe and foot numbness can also be caused by an involentary clenching of the toes when fatigued. I do it all the time when I am hurting and must remind myself to relax and stretch those guys out. Upper body fatigue can be a combination of things and may be a lack of core body strength to help hold yourself up. Once again possibly due to fatigue and pain due to riding in those hills. Keep working it will come together for you.
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