NewtoBiking2014

I'm fairly new to cycling and so it seems like I have a new ailment with every milestone I reach. I biked 72 miles for the first time yesterday (that's the farthest I've gone now- woo!) and my hands have been twitching since. The middle finger of my right hand and the spot between the thumb and pointer finger on my left hand are twitching. It's starting to freak me out because it's been a day and it hasn't gone away.

I wore gloves and tried to move around on the bars, but maybe I didn't move around enough? I had a professional fitting recently and was fine until I upped my miles. Has anyone had this happen before? Have you had this crap go away within a day?

People here have talked about numbness and weakness, but not really twitching (not that I could find anyway).

lechat

Could be muscle spasms caused by electrolyte depletion. I get them mainly in my legs, but sometimes in other areas due to excessive sweating this time of year. Take some potassium and magnesium supplements or something like Endurolites.

Dave Cutter

If you normally get two colds a year.... cycling will now provide you with an opportunity to blame your normal colds on your exposure to the chilly morning bicycle rides. But.... actually most of your ailments won't likely have anything to do with your new hobby/sport.

I'd try an ice pack for a little while... see if that doesn't relax any swelling/guarding in the hand. I was once told by a doctor that twitching is more often brain injury related (not injuries to the twitching area). You may want to make sure you stay completely hydrated on the long rides. Dehydration is a big concern when cycling. I wouldn't rush to see a doctor. But if a little ice doesn't help I'd think about getting it looked at.

wallrat

Vibrations due to rough roads? On long rough rides my hands get a little shaky sometimes. So you have a carbon bike or fork?

gregf83 

My guess is you are squeezing the bars too tightly. Try relaxing and riding with your fingers just loosely gripping the bars or even out straight if you are riding in the drops.

Northwestrider

Tingling could be a vitamin deficiency , or one of several other maladies, Twitching may be the same. If it lasts , I would see a doc.

Campag4life

If your hands feel assaulted after a ride, then you have too much weight on them during the ride. A pro fit means nothing if you come away with pain.
You need to raise your handlebar and stay off the bike until you do or you will reinjure your hands. A misconception about fit is...when you raise your handlebar, many do it with the same length stem only with greater rise. This is wrong. Provided you have the correct reach to the handlebar, you need a longer stem when you raise the handlebar. This will preserve reach and redistribute your weight from your hands more on your saddle where most of us can take the pressure a lot better. Long rides expose fit issues and poor riding technique, posture, saddle setback etc.

danmc

72 miles is pretty awesome! I haven't gone that far yet this year. I've had twitching off and on and various body parts. It's very annoying but usually goes away after a little while. Like someone else said, if it continues and/or gets worse I'd see a doctor. If it comes and goes I probably wouldn't worry about it.

bbattle

+1

linnefaulk

If the twitching doesn't subside after rehydrating and rest, I would see a chiropractor. It could be a pinched or aggravated nerve due to the long ride.

jcg878

+2

I have had your problem mildy in the past, and this was the reason. 72 miles is a long ride to be holding on tightly so if that's the reason I'd expect some consequences. They should be temporary though if that's the cause.