Jun 23, 2014 at 09:07 PM
It could be that your saddle is too far forward, wherein a lot of weight falls on your hands. Try a shorter stem and move your saddle back a bit.
Injury: Sprains, Strains, Breaks & Insurance
Jun 23, 2014 at 09:28 PM
Anyway thanks to all! Will try to work in the advice.
Marc Bertucco said:To the "moving around" point, it's been a while, but the last time we rode together Emily, we talked about you relaxing your upper body and working on climbing out of the saddle. Not sure if that's still an issue, but you were certainly "statuesque" on that ride.
Jun 23, 2014 at 09:36 PM
Also Emily...I don't think anyone wants you to ignore potentially serious issues, we just want you to start adjusting the easy stuff, before a trip to the orthopedist and/or neurologist is scheduled.
Once I was suffering from persistent knee pain for weeks and weeks. I had nightmares of knee replacement surgery and the like. And then one day, on a quite solo ride to Upper Saddle River, I was struck with inspiration. I got off my bike, found a nice grassy spot, sat down and stretched. No more knee pain.
Jun 24, 2014 at 09:00 PM
@emily - I have the same issue. I try to use gloves with foam padding instead of gel. They simply seem to work much better even though "gel" sounds more fancy and high tech.
I also very much agree with Jeff that (in addition to varying your bike position) hand stretches intra-ride actually help quite a bit. My go-to is to just put my fingers across the tops and stretch them back all the way. That stretches out all my fingers and the palms of my hands. It alleviates the discomfort and restores feeling. I also stretch my wrists out during long rides. I simply move my hands around at the wrist joint to stretch them out.
Jun 25, 2014 at 04:03 AM
As someone once pointed out to me, when you stub your toe, you squint your eyes. Everything is connected, so the problem could be anywhere between your shoes and your head.Marc Bertucco said:
Also Emily...I don't think anyone wants you to ignore potentially serious issues, we just want you to start adjusting the easy stuff, before a trip to the orthopedist and/or neurologist is scheduled.
I occasionally have hand problems myself. It usually comes up when I'm racing hard criteriums, like Harlem the other week. But it doesn't usually come up when I'm out for long rides, so for me I'm going with the "tense arm, single hand position," theory for my flare-ups.
I'd work on the getting out of the saddle, moving hand positions, stretching hands, and so on. And I'd add riding rollers, as a tense upper body could the the basis for many a problem.
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:08 PM
I was doored on my commute this morning. Car in the traffic lane starts edging up to the bike lane, then stops suddenly and opens their door, clips me, and sends me face first into the trunk of a parked car. Scary driver starts yelling at me (apparently for almost hitting him while he was innocently violating a handful of traffic laws) then takes off. Normally I'd chase a snap a photo of his license plate at the next red light, but I was too shaken up.
My bike is fine, although the front wheel seems a bit out of true. Luckily it's my third-string trainer. As for my face, my front tooth went through my lower lip and my chin is going to be all sorts of purple and blue. Lisa Roazen hooked me up at Premier Care, and I was in and out with a couple stitches and a prescription for Percocet in under an hour. Highly recommend! And this cracked tooth is the perfect excuse to schedule an annual dental appointment.
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:18 PM
Ouch! Erika.. glad it's just a couple of stitches.
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:20 PM
btw - slightly OT, what's the difference between Premier Care and CityMD?
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:26 PM
@Erika really really sorry to read about the accident. Glad it wasn't any worse, but that's still a huge bummer.
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:43 PM
No bueno. That guy sounds like a major douche-nozzle. Sorry to hear 
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:56 PM
Awful news! Even worse when they take off. I've mostly had the *good* fortune of them sticking around and being able to call the cops.
This really makes me want to get one of those Garmin cameras. Anyone heard much about them? They look cool but not great reviews here:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/garmin-virb-elite?ti=UExQIENhdDpDYW1lcmFzOjE6MjpjY0NhdDEwMDA0Nw&skidn=GRM000H-ONECOL-ONESIZ
Heal up quick, brother!
This really makes me want to get one of those Garmin cameras. Anyone heard much about them? They look cool but not great reviews here:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/garmin-virb-elite?ti=UExQIENhdDpDYW1lcmFzOjE6MjpjY0NhdDEwMDA0Nw&skidn=GRM000H-ONECOL-ONESIZ
Heal up quick, brother!
Jul 14, 2014 at 07:58 PM
Thanks, y'all. I'm lucky, indeed.
Jul 14, 2014 at 08:11 PM
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Jul 14, 2014 at 08:50 PM
Damn, Sorry to hear it. Heal up.
I'd love to see, as the next step from bike lanes, DOT placing ridges or bumps beneath the painted dividers. If there can't be actual dividers, then something more that tells a driver they're in a violation or hazardous spot.
And with that extra prescription of percocet, you may, ahem, be able to buy new wheels. . . Just sayin.
Not that ANYONE would ever advocate that.
New wheels!
Jul 14, 2014 at 10:41 PM
@Erika-Sucky. Really sucky. Sorry.
Jul 14, 2014 at 11:02 PM
Yikes. Glad it wasn't any worse. Heal up quick.
Jul 15, 2014 at 12:18 AM
Erika
Getting doored is the worst. I've got some bicep tendons in my right arm that connect to nothing from one of the times I was doored.
Heal up.
Jul 15, 2014 at 12:25 AM
Sorry to hear that Erika. Happy healing. Call Lucarelli and Castaldi, you might be entitled to something for the medical fees.
Jul 15, 2014 at 01:50 AM
Do this^^^. I got my medical bills covered bc it was a crime (leaving th scene of an accident). But I also called 911 when it happened so there was a report. That will probably make a huge difference
I guess this goes to say: even if the culprit leaves, call the po pos.
I guess this goes to say: even if the culprit leaves, call the po pos.
Jul 15, 2014 at 02:00 AM
None, they merged.Phillip Maronilla said:btw - slightly OT, what's the difference between Premier Care and CityMD?
Jul 15, 2014 at 02:02 AM
Very sorry to hear this. Can't believe the perp fled the scene. That's still a felony, right?
Jul 15, 2014 at 09:49 AM
Really wish I would have had the wherewithal to snap a photo of his license plate like I usually do when some dick does something incredibly dangerous (whether or not there's injury or even contact). Or would have called 911 instead of riding to work for the first aid kit. (Luckily my coworkers threw me in a cab back to Brooklyn. And took my shoes and helmet, thus imposing a rest day today.)
Jul 15, 2014 at 08:39 PM
Dentist just did the facial X-rays my medical insurance wouldn't cover. Cracked my upper jaw straight up between my front teeth. No chewing for a week (soft cheese is ok!), no racing for 3 weeks.
Jul 15, 2014 at 08:53 PM
Oh, jeesh. This news sucks on so many levels. 1) cracked jaw. 2) what kind of crap-surance won't cover facial xrays when you smack your face on a car going 25 mph?Erika Tarte said:Dentist just did the facial X-rays my medical insurance wouldn't cover. Cracked my upper jaw straight up between my front teeth. No chewing for a week (soft cheese is ok!), no racing for 3 weeks.
Jul 15, 2014 at 09:10 PM
Jesus. Good thing cheese is the best food ever. Well, icecream and beer are in a 3 way race.
Let us know if you need a cheese and smoothie delivery. Leroy promises to only eat half on his way over.
Let us know if you need a cheese and smoothie delivery. Leroy promises to only eat half on his way over.
Jul 15, 2014 at 09:34 PM
Ouch! Feel better soon.
Jul 15, 2014 at 10:04 PM
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Jul 16, 2014 at 01:59 AM
I guess we're all one face-plant away from our ideal race weight.Erika Tarte said:Dentist just did the facial X-rays my medical insurance wouldn't cover. Cracked my upper jaw straight up between my front teeth. No chewing for a week (soft cheese is ok!), no racing for 3 weeks.
sign up for some climbing races 3.5 weeks out.
Jul 16, 2014 at 02:37 AM
Erika - I'm so sorry for you. On the bright side, just think the damage you'll do on the donut ride (both on the climb and the feed station).
Jul 16, 2014 at 11:45 AM
I can hardly think of a better "Babymoon" for you and wifey than the Green Mountain SR. You'll CRUSH the climbs, wife will love the area (see GMSR thread for all the non racer things to do). Stay at the Weathertop Mountain Inn for great food and rooms.mugwump said:I guess we're all one face-plant away from our ideal race weight.Erika Tarte said:Dentist just did the facial X-rays my medical insurance wouldn't cover. Cracked my upper jaw straight up between my front teeth. No chewing for a week (soft cheese is ok!), no racing for 3 weeks.sign up for some climbing races 3.5 weeks out.