Fifty Plus (50+) - Am I being a knucklehead, or what?

I'm looking for advise and I haven't detected any reluctance by the members of this group to offer it up. Here are the preliminaries:
-62 year old, male, currently 250 lbs (Tall, carry 225 well)
-Seattle, WA
-Trek 520
-Until 18 months ago I rode 60–80 miles per week year-round.
-Two shortly spaced crashes have kept me off the road for 12 of the 18 months.
-Gained the previously mentioned 25 lbs.

I have been trying to get back on the trail for a while, but my bike has turned into a torture rack. After a few miles I begin to experience wrist and shoulder pain that I cannot work through. It is also cumulative... It doesn't get better during subsequent rides. In fact I have to knock off for a week or ten days for it to subside. I'm thinking it may be the added weight or I may now be too inflexible for drops (but even griping the center of the bar only delays the effect). I've had the bike fitting... Didn't help. I've bought a couple of stem's to change that geometry... without success. I've adjusted, tweaked and replaced...

Here's where I need help... First, can anyone direct me to a good bike mechanic/ builder, in the Seattle area, who is within ten years of my age? When I talk to the young guys in the bike shops they are well meaning, but simply don't understand my challenge. Secondly, I'm wondering if I should make major modifications to my 520 (e.g. riser handlebars, carbon or suspension fork ) or is that stupid and I should really be looking at a different bike. I REALLY (really) do not want to go to a “comfort” bike and I WILL NOT “recline”.

So what do you think? Got any ideas... or am I just being a knucklehead and should give in, go to Sears, buy a comfort bike and a basket with a flower on it?

Thanks, Jim

Guessing you may have injured your wrists in the accidents.

Why were you off the bike so long?

Have you looked into finding a good physical therapist? I'd start there before making more changes to the bike.

Before you modify your bike, have a good physical therapist look over the engine. Sometimes the fix can be simple. I once bulghared up my left wrist and my PT guy showed me how to fix it. Now I can unlock it myself.

Have you looked into finding a good physical therapist? I'd start there before making more changes to the bike.

+1

I don't think you are a knucklehead. I think you are frustrated with physical issues. I hope they can be remedied. I think you should be applauded for not giving up and getting the Sears bike with the basket.

I ride with a great guy, and he has been tormented with pain that limits his bicycling. He also does not want to throw in the towel and is fighting to hit his mileage goal. Unfortunately a physical therapist can't solve a disease. I think you have a good chance of overcoming at least some of your pain.

I also think a good LBS can help with fit issues that may improve your riding quality.

I got my first bike with drop bars about a year ago. It seemed like I was stretched way out riding on it, and at first my back would get a little sore after riding. And I couldn't ride in the drops for more than a minute or so. Since then, I've kept riding, lost some weight, find the bike pretty comfortable to ride all day (15 hours maximum so far), and can ride in the drops a whole lot easier. If I go a few days without riding, I notice the back issue just a little bit when I start up.

It sounds like the problems you're having are a whole lot worse than what I experienced, but from my experience, I would say at least a part of it could be from not being used to the bike.

I wonder, too, if you could have developed some arthritis or something in your back that wasn't there before?

Obvious an injury has come about and the shoulder and wrist are weakened. Subject to medical checks to see if there is underlying damage- I would suggest some strenghtening exercises to the affected parts.

A non-cycling gent whom I work with witnessed a rather large cycling tour pass by his place last summer. Later that week when he saw me at work he commented that all the riders had serious looks on their faces except the two recumbent riders. He said that they were smiling and apeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Draw your own conclusions.

A non-cycling gent whom I work with witnessed a rather large cycling tour pass by his place last summer. Later that week when he saw me at work he commented that all the riders had serious looks on their faces except the two recumbent riders. He said that they were smiling and apeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Draw your own conclusions.

I'd conclude you feel massaging your own insecurity about your transportation choice trumps you offering anything remotely helpful.

OP, concur on the PT, and I'd suggest if possible seeing someone who specializes in sports rehab. I suffered through quite a few years of symptoms from a broken back, I got some relief from a chiro but the PT guy got me pain free.

and I WILL NOT “recline”.



+1

Have you looked into finding a good physical therapist? I'd start there before making more changes to the bike.

Have you looked into finding a good therapist? I'd start there before making more changes to the bike. Seriously.

In August 2009 while riding with my grandson, I had a fall that broke the radius heads off of both elbows. After healing and spending a bunch of money on new recumbents I still wasn't able to ride very well. Eventually I visited with a therapist to deal with my anxiety which seems to have worked. Then again - I freely admit to knuckleheadism.

+1 on the physical therapy. Also see a sports medicine doctor rather than a gp or orthopedic doc.

Recumbents are for old people. :p

I'm looking for advise and I haven't detected any reluctance by the members of this group to offer it up. Here are the preliminaries:
-62 year old, male, currently 250 lbs (Tall, carry 225 well)
-Seattle, WA
-Trek 520
-Until 18 months ago I rode 60–80 miles per week year-round.
-Two shortly spaced crashes have kept me off the road for 12 of the 18 months.
-Gained the previously mentioned 25 lbs.

I have been trying to get back on the trail for a while, but my bike has turned into a torture rack. After a few miles I begin to experience wrist and shoulder pain that I cannot work through. It is also cumulative... It doesn't get better during subsequent rides. In fact I have to knock off for a week or ten days for it to subside. I'm thinking it may be the added weight or I may now be too inflexible for drops (but even griping the center of the bar only delays the effect). I've had the bike fitting... Didn't help. I've bought a couple of stem's to change that geometry... without success. I've adjusted, tweaked and replaced...

Here's where I need help... First, can anyone direct me to a good bike mechanic/ builder, in the Seattle area, who is within ten years of my age? When I talk to the young guys in the bike shops they are well meaning, but simply don't understand my challenge. Secondly, I'm wondering if I should make major modifications to my 520 (e.g. riser handlebars, carbon or suspension fork ) or is that stupid and I should really be looking at a different bike. I REALLY (really) do not want to go to a “comfort” bike and I WILL NOT “recline”.

So what do you think? Got any ideas... or am I just being a knucklehead and should give in, go to Sears, buy a comfort bike and a basket with a flower on it?

Thanks, Jim

Nothing crazy about wanting to ride ASAP.

I think that blindly refusing to investigate (if indeed that is the case) a bike style other than what you're riding now to get riding again sounds knuckleheaded though. There's nothing wrong with riding various styles of bikes, even if only temporarily until you get your physical issues squared away.

What ever you do, I'm hoping you're logging miles again soon.


I'd conclude you feel massaging your own insecurity about your transportation choice trumps you offering anything remotely helpful.

OP, concur on the PT, and I'd suggest if possible seeing someone who specializes in sports rehab. I suffered through quite a few years of symptoms from a broken back, I got some relief from a chiro but the PT guy got me pain free.

Kinda grumpy this morning are we?

It sounds like during the 18 months off the bike you may not have only gained 25 pounds but also may have lost core strength. Therefor when riding now, the wrists and shoulders would be supporting a large share of upper body weight.

Before you spend more money on bike changes, I wonder if you can rent (or borrow) an upright for a week and see if its more comfortable.

I don't disagree with the PT and the part about core strength might be key as well, but I had pains that were relieved by raising the bars. Years ago I could run the bars 4 inches below the saddle and now it's only about an inch. This change, along with a softer riding bike, have helped me. I'm even less aerodynamic now, though.

Jim, Following a lay off the core muscles (abdominal) get weaker and they really have allot to do with comfort on a bicycle. Some exercise there may be of benefit. A roughly 10% gain in weight can effect bike set up for some, probably depending on how aggresive the bike is fitted to your 'in shape self'. I don't disagree with the above suggestions and can relate to bad crashes.

Brad

Your post has me a bit confused about two things. First, Are you a trail rider or a road rider? And, if you are a trail rider, what kind of trails? I ask this because the impacts and demands on the body of riding serious off road trails can be very tough. In which case a different kind of riding might be in order. Second, when was your fitting, before or after the injuries? If it was before the injuries that particular fitting may not now be adequate for what your body can accommodate comfortably. My thoughts are that coming back from an injuries that kept you off the bike for 12 months with an additional 25 pounds has at least three elements of possible concern. First, the 25 pounds will put strains on parts of your body that can make a significant difference. Second, you may not have completely healed and would benefit from a physical therapist and/or additional medical attention. Third, you are 18 months older and you may be experiencing changes in muscle tone, bone density, etc. Most likely it's a combination of all three. If it were me, I'd like to think that I would work on dropping the extra weight, seeing a physical therapist, and riding as much as I could tolerate without doing damage requiring me to take the next week off. One of the things I don't like about getting older is that recovery and restoration to points of fitness/comfort/health that existed prior to an injury/layoff, etc. always takes longer and seems harder (at least to me). I find that even a three week layoff (which happens to me at least once a year it seems) means I'll deal with neck stiffness and tightness between the shoulders for a few weeks.

Finally, I'm not trying to be a wise guy or anythings, but in reading that last part of your post, I wonder if you're also suffering from the N+1 syndrome. I know my wife would highly skeptical if I approached her saying the only way I could ride comfortably again is with a new custom built bike.

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

When I got back on my bike after dealing with a shattered femur I started a total body program to deal with the recovery. After 3 months with a walker my wrists and shoulders were shot. Using really light weights I did a lot of shoulder and arm work as well as torso work while riding as much as I could stand. It took about 6 weeks but it worked for me. I am 66 and believe me I started back this time from pretty much nothing. Good Luck!

I know my wife would highly skeptical if I approached her saying the only way I could ride comfortably again is with a new custom built bike.


Hmm!! . . .

I haven't tried that approach. Might work around here. :)

Hmm!! . . .

I haven't tried that approach. Might work around here. :)

LOL, the wife is willing, but the BUDGET says: NO! :(

Thanks to all. The the common denominator seems to be check in with a PT and get fit again. As simple as it sounds I think you are probably right. I tend to default to the technological solution because, after all, it couldn't be "ME"... could it? Thanks again. JM

Kinda grumpy this morning are we?

Coffee takes time.

Major, i had the benefit of N+1 sickness. I crashed hard last Dec, was off the bike until Feb. After a week crashed again! Off until April. Just went to my herd, selected my 70s Free spirit tank(34 pounds, stem shifters, steel wheels, hi rise stem, comfy saddle, no clip ins) and went very slow and short rides until i started feeling better and losing some of the weight i gained. I did not mess with my main bike or my back up bike at all. After some time and weight loss started on my back up bike until good results, then went to my main bike and have been good to go since. It just takes time. All this at age 65. Your results may vary. Take your time and keep your spirits up.

I was also going to mention that if you're having acute pain (as opposed to saddle butt), it's often best to stop until you get resolution. Odds are you're just jacking yourself up further.

Thanks to all. The the common denominator seems to be check in with a PT and get fit again. As simple as it sounds I think you are probably right. I tend to default to the technological solution because, after all, it couldn't be "ME"... could it? Thanks again. JM

So glad you are taking the sound advice. I read and then reread your post. It does not sound like a bike issue although temporary modifications may be required. It sounds like something more serious happened that either went miss diagnosed or simply sluffed off because whom ever you saw when you were injured first assumed you were just old and not worth repairing properly. Choose a PT wisely, explain how active you were and how active you want to be again and don't let them treat you like an old fart.

Coffee takes time.

Come on dude - you can apologize better than that.
Just Sayin :innocent:

It sounds like during the 18 months off the bike you may not have only gained 25 pounds but also may have lost core strength. Therefor when riding now, the wrists and shoulders would be supporting a large share of upper body weight.

+1^10

I would expand on the PT and first see a good physiatrist

http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/what.htm

Luck with a good outcome,
Jeff, still fat

I've been off of my bike for almost a month because of the pain, similar to the pain you mentioned. Years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo.Well it just came back with a vengeance. I've been waiting for the new meds to take hold, but they haven't yet. They say it takes Imuran about 8 to 12 weeks to start working and 6 months to get the full benefit of it. The doctor can take a blood test and tell you what's going on. Good luck.

I offer this in all seriousness.

http://migrainemedications7.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Ibuprofen.jpg

Don't put a carbon fiber fork on a Trek 520. That would be....well...people would talk about you when you cycled past.

As a cheap fix, try a stem riser (if newer bike) or a nitto technomic stem. Put some wider bars on the bike. Put padding under the wrap, and use a padded wrap. Think nice thick bars. Go to a wide seat such as a Brooks B67 or 68 to support a more upright position. Ride some 700x32's or bigger, with 80psi or less. You can put 37's or maybe even 42's on that bike if you want to. Bigger tires, less pressure, and sprung saddle will do more for your comfort, even into the arms and shoulder, than most people will acknowledge.

I'm had some real ugly shoulder repairs, and my 1994 Trek 520 equipped as listed above is the most comfortable bike I think I've every owned. Just some thoughts. If you can't get comfortable on a 520, I'm not sure what else to try.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm11/monoborracho/COGAP%20Sept%202010/100_1662-Copy.jpg

I'd conclude you feel massaging your own insecurity about your transportation choice trumps you offering anything remotely helpful.
.

You really should see someone about that hostility problem you are having.

It sounds like during the 18 months off the bike you may not have only gained 25 pounds but also may have lost core strength. Therefor when riding now, the wrists and shoulders would be supporting a large share of upper body weight.

Before you spend more money on bike changes, I wonder if you can rent (or borrow) an upright for a week and see if its more comfortable.

If you don't have any lingering mechanical issues in your body from your crashes I think Bare Feet nails it. Supporting more weight while riding with lost fitness and core strength would put a lot of extra weight on the hands and shoulders.

As my riding and training season changes in NE Ohio I'm back on the rollers for some of my rides. I noticed during last night’s 1 hour roller ride that my hands and shoulders were aching and I was fighting the bike. I was switching riding positions to the drops for 5 minutes, then on the tops for 5 minutes and the change of positions didn't provide any relief. The 2nd half of the ride, I found that by concentrating on using core muscles and dropping a couple gears for added resistance relieved the pressure on my hands and shoulders as well as enabling a smoother faster pace with the same heart rate effort.

Don't put a carbon fiber fork on a Trek 520. That would be....well...people would talk about you when you cycled past.

Just put a kick stand on it and they won't even notice the carbon fork.

Thanks! Great photo... I've done the padded handlebar and it does help. I like the sound of the wider bar, riser and tire recommendation too. JM

Good one. I take a few ibuprofen before I play golf, I don't know why it hasn't occurred to me to down a few before cycling... One thing I forgot to mention earlier; I'm a Scandinavian mongrel (Norwegian, Swedish, etc.)... It's that knucklehead thing again.