drops

[peelywally]

winter weather is here high winds and rain etc ,
i usually have to cycle on the drops just to keep momentum ,
on the downside i find extended time spent on the drops gives me stiff neck and or shoulders
that can last a few days ,
i know bikes setup ok ? Shop sorted that out (good shop btw has excelent reputation )
just wondered if warm up excorcises or something after / during ride would help ?
All advice gratefully recieved .

 

[gaz]

Why do you have to cycle in the drops to keep momentum?
how long have you been riding with this bike? it can take a while for your body to get used to the position and you can get stiff neck and back muscles during that period.

 

[snailracer]

You could raise the bars and ride in a lower gear. IF you get used to that position, lower the bars a bit, etc.

Some people never get used to drops.

Some riders, as they get older, can no longer ride in the drops for as long as they could when younger, so they have to gradually raise the bars again.

I'm pretty sure humans are not really designed to bear weight on their wrists/arms/shoulders, so I am not surprised it gives a lot of people problems.

 

[jimboalee]

You could raise the bars and ride in a lower gear. IF you get used to that position, lower the bars a bit, etc.

Some people never get used to drops.

Some riders, as they get older, can no longer ride in the drops for as long as they could when younger, so they have to gradually raise the bars again.

I'm pretty sure humans are not really designed to bear weight on their wrists/arms/shoulders, so I am not surprised it gives a lot of people problems.

Thanks Snailracer. This means I'm not old yet.

In fact, I can put more power down when on the drops.

 

[cameramanjim]

i know bikes setup ok ? Shop sorted that out (good shop btw has excelent reputation )
just wondered if warm up excorcises or something after / during ride would help ?
All advice gratefully recieved .

For the sore/stiff neck try occasional exercises while cycling. I stick each arm out sideways (in turn) and wave it around a bit, bit hard to describe the movements but they´re probably the same as you´d do in the comfort of your own home.

 

[peelywally]

For the sore/stiff neck try occasional exercises while cycling. I stick each arm out sideways (in turn) and wave it around a bit, bit hard to describe the movements but they´re probably the same as you´d do in the comfort of your own home.

thanks i think i understand ,
btw ive been riding road bikes 15 years its just that during extended periods on the drops due to windy conditions
aches n pains set in ,
guess its just like me knees worn out lol .

 

[jimboalee]

For the sore/stiff neck try occasional exercises while cycling. I stick each arm out sideways (in turn) and wave it around a bit, bit hard to describe the movements but they´re probably the same as you´d do in the comfort of your own home.

"Look out Ethel, that cyclist want's to turn right. No, he want's to slow down. No, he's changed his mind, he want's to turn left."

 

[Gary D]

"Look out Ethel, that cyclist want's to turn right. No, he want's to slow down. No, he's changed his mind, he want's to turn left."

Funny you should say that Jimbo

I was out on a ride with a few friends a couple of weeks ago. I was at the back of the line and we were turning right. The others had started to move into the centre of the road. I looked over my shoulder and there were a couple of cars following, so I put my arm out, textbook railway signal style, to indicate my intentions.
I then started to move over, and looked over my shoulder again, and as I did so, the car immediately behind moved right over to the right hand side of the road and started to accelerate and overtake

I yelled at her and she jumped on the brakes, and stopped with me in front of her shouting at her, doubting her parentage and eyesight

The reason she gave for this reckless manouvere was "I thought you were pointing for me to overtake you" FFS!!!!

 

[snailracer]

...
The reason she gave for this reckless manouvere was "I thought you were pointing for me to overtake you" FFS!!!!

A tip (not one I invented) I often employ is to signal with the palm facing the vehicles to the rear - this communicates "hold back" and well as "I'm moving to the right".

 

[ELL]

A stretch I was told to do before going for a ride to stop a pains in the shoulders and neck is as follows.

Before your ride stand with your arms out. Point your thumb up on one hand and down on the other. Look at one hand, slowly turn your head to look at the other hand whilst twisting your hands from thumbs up to thumb down vice-versa