What to do for aching elbows when riding

[PrincessBandit]

Did a search and couldn't find anything specific to what I want to know. Apologies in advance if this has been done a million times and I just haven't been able to find the info.

I tend to get an ache especially in my right elbow when I'm riding for any length of time. I'm not sure if the cold triggers it or whether it's a combination of temperature and arm position. My gear is nice and warm (torso and limbs pretty comfortable regarding this - and I DO know what it's like to be bbrrrrrrr cold when on the bike). Can anyone else who has solved this issue let me know how they did it please? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (except for those which recommend chopping my arm off so as to be rid of the source of the problem). :gob:

[speights_bud]

I used to find on long trips that i was leaning on one handle bar and taking the weight up on the other, which would leave one elbow sore, so maybe try to take the weight off of your elbows and let them drop down a bit. Something i was told that also helped my riding style :)

[CookMySock]

Try something like this, miss ;

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/6/10/1608/ITEM/Moose-Racing-Neoprene-Elbow-Brace.aspx

edit: I used one of these on my knee after I work-RSI'ed it. Dang it was sore - quite crippling actually - catch it on the wrong angle and payyyyy! Helped heeeeps, and now I don't need it at all. Seems to keep the joint braced and warm. I could feel the difference as soon as I put it on.

DB

[Holy Roller]

are you gripping the bars too much? relax your hands, wiggle your fingers, hold the throttle open with your palm. This allows the arm to relax and enable one to sit upright a bit more taking the weight off the arms.

Otherwise just pop a couple of panadol before the ride:Pokey:

[Nagash]

Exercise would also help aswell with getting rid of the problems.

One of those gyro balls or whatever they are would really strengthen the muscles and you'd be able to go alot further without any pain.

Other then that it sounds like you either have an old injury on that elbow where DangerousBastard's suggestion of a brace would come in handy. Or you're just leaning on that particulary elbow in which case, don't.

[Big Dave]

Taller handlebars or risers.

[Bass]

If releasing the throttle and quickly flexing your fingers several times, immediately eases it, then it's a form of tennis elbow and you should talk to a therapist about some stretching exercises.
I won't attempt to describe the appropriate exercise here, because it's a bit of a contortionist's nightmare and you could tie yourself in a grannie knot attempting anything I describe.

[Renegade]

tube of deep heat carried under the seat combined with some of the above suggestions.

[sinned]

I have suffered from tennis elbow and suggest you have your arm checked out at the docs. If it is tennis elbow it ain't gonna come right by itself and if it gets worse you could be off the bike and other activities for a long time. Panadol just covers the pain while you cause more damage.
Here is link http://www.tennis-elbow.net/?gclid=CJ3OpYCL7pICFSlciAodCxNtGA
but a visit to your GP is recommended.

[Rockbuddy]

trade your bike up for a cruiser problem solved

[Katman]

You could always try taking a couple of HTFU tablets. :msn-wink:

[1200custom]

duk tape some frozen peas on:rolleyes:

[breakaway]

My physiotherapist says: Use your core to hold your upper body up. Don't use your arms.

[sefer]

Ok, this might seem like a stupid suggestion, but can you ride with no hands?

I'm thinking that most likely your either applying too much pressure to the bars by putting your weight forward on to your arms, or your bars are just in a bad position for you. If you can ride with no hands with no problem (remember to watch the road for potholes while your doing it!) then chances are you can eliminate the first one since you need to have your weight centred to do it. In which case look at your bar position.

Yes this may be a stupid suggestion, I'm sure everyone will agree it is :)

[skidMark]

I used to find on long trips that i was leaning on one handle bar and taking the weight up on the other, which would leave one elbow sore, so maybe try to take the weight off of your elbows and let them drop down a bit. Something i was told that also helped my riding style :)

You're riding doesnt have style doohan, your just a riding god bro :wari:

It's in your blood lol

[skidMark]

trade your bike up for a cruiser problem solved


How in any way is a cruiser trading up.

I mean.

Really.

[Nasty]

I have had three main bike styles due to the agonies of riding. My first caused lower back problems beyond belief .. half hour into ride would be in pain ... second ... problems with my sholders and wrists ... 1.5 hours and then that would start .... the third and my new baby are great. What it came down to for me was riding style and sit position. When i changed to the sport tourer ... I was off like goff!

[YellowDog]

I read an article on this (it might have been on KB) and it basically said that there is a technique of dropping the right hand and holding the throttle with your left hand for 10 minutes, after every hour or so. I guess this is best only practiced on long straight roads but it still sounds like nuts to me.

If you get yourself a Nintendo Wii and practice the boxing sports game, once the muscle soreness calms down, you will never get an elbow problem again. Woth a go and also lots of fun.

Good luck.

[CookMySock]

it took months for my wrists to get used to my sportbike. Never before had they had to deal with this sort of work. (or any sort of work really lol)

Now pretty much they are fine. I expect an elbow problem is a different story.

DB

[fLaThEaD FreD]

Did a search and couldn't find anything specific to what I want to know. Apologies in advance if this has been done a million times and I just haven't been able to find the info.

I tend to get an ache especially in my right elbow when I'm riding for any length of time. I'm not sure if the cold triggers it or whether it's a combination of temperature and arm position. My gear is nice and warm (torso and limbs pretty comfortable regarding this - and I DO know what it's like to be bbrrrrrrr cold when on the bike). Can anyone else who has solved this issue let me know how they did it please? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (except for those which recommend chopping my arm off so as to be rid of the source of the problem). :gob:

I had the same proplem and fitted a cruise control that I bought online from the States. It cost me $70 nzd landed and took under 10 minutes to fit and is unobtrusive. Also it enabled me to ride home on sunday from mangawhai with a dislocated shoulder,broken collerbone and ribs after binning the bike lol.[/I]

[CookMySock]

I thought about having a cruise control with a gyro and some balancing smarts in it.

DB

[vifferman]

Take frequent breaks on your rides, if possible. And/or do what I do: take a couple of ibuprofens before you set out. I have to do this for any ride or drive longer than about 90 minutes, as the pain (knees, hips, wrists, fingers) becomes too great. Even then, I have to stop after a while and move around.

Something else that may help (if this is an ailment caused by an injury or disease) is to take fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil capsules as both of these have anti-inflammatory properties.

[fLaThEaD FreD]

Take frequent breaks on your rides, if possible. And/or do what I do: take a couple of ibuprofens before you set out. I have to do this for any ride or drive longer than about 90 minutes, as the pain (knees, hips, wrists, fingers) becomes too great. Even then, I have to stop after a while and move around.

Something else that may help (if this is an ailment caused by an injury or disease) is to take fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil capsules as both of these have anti-inflammatory properties.

and the fish oil capsules will make your turds slip out easier over the hemeroids!!!

[vifferman]

and the fish oil capsules will make your turds slip out easier over the hemeroids!!!
If you stuff them up your arse? :spudwhat:

[CookMySock]

take fish oil capsules or evening primrose oil capsules as both of these have anti-inflammatory properties.Yep. Fish oil, or any of the Essential Fatty Acid supplements are excellent. Ask your chiropractor, chemist, or alternative health store. Take larger (2-4gram at once) doses for stress also, and feel the chill set in real fast. Very good indeed. Take this with a large shot of vitamins for a cruise and chill day to remember.

DB - abusing vitamins for ages

[vifferman]

Yep. Fish oil, or any of the Essential Fatty Acid supplements are excellent. Ask your chiropractor, chemist, or alternative health store.
Meh - I get them from the supermarket.

[PrincessBandit]

If you stuff them up your arse? :spudwhat:

OMG you guys. I'll just check that my elbow hasn't migrated to a more southerly part of my anatomy. (Since we started off with elbows and have moved on to bottoms!) :buggerd:

[Bike-aholic]

After the tour around the south island on the busa i found that my wrists and elbows were giving me shit so im looking into these for longer rides.

http://www.convertibars.com/PhotogalleryVideos.cfm

[Stirts]

Did a search and couldn't find anything specific to what I want to know. Apologies in advance if this has been done a million times and I just haven't been able to find the info.

I tend to get an ache especially in my right elbow when I'm riding for any length of time. I'm not sure if the cold triggers it or whether it's a combination of temperature and arm position. My gear is nice and warm (torso and limbs pretty comfortable regarding this - and I DO know what it's like to be bbrrrrrrr cold when on the bike). Can anyone else who has solved this issue let me know how they did it please? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (except for those which recommend chopping my arm off so as to be rid of the source of the problem). :gob:


Ok, this might seem like a stupid suggestion, but can you ride with no hands?

I'm thinking that most likely your either applying too much pressure to the bars by putting your weight forward on to your arms, or your bars are just in a bad position for you. If you can ride with no hands with no problem (remember to watch the road for potholes while your doing it!) then chances are you can eliminate the first one since you need to have your weight centred to do it. In which case look at your bar position.

Yes this may be a stupid suggestion, I'm sure everyone will agree it is :)

Certainly NOT a stupid question!

I suffered "tennis elbow" (never farken played tennis in my life) for a number of months, got so bad I couldn't pick a cup of coffee off the floor *sigh*

As mine was badminton related (geek I know) it was all about my "death grip". A wise man told me to loosen up (after a fair few moolas spent on physio) and hey presto no "tennis elbow"

I have recently had Stomp Grip 'installed' on the tank of my wee motormocycle and have noticed a substantial difference in the intensity of my hold of the handle bars.

Certainly something to consider!

[AllanB]

Good question.

I had the same issue a few years ago - out of the blue on a bike I'd owned for 23 years suddenly a sore elbow. I got a crampbuster

http://crampbuster.com/

Available in variations all over the place on the net. I am sure I've seen them on e-bay as well. Dirt cheap and worked.

Sold that bike shortly after - got a Suzuki GS1200ss - ouch now sore forearms - this was fixed by doing reverse curls (hands facing down not up as per usual) at the gym - quickly built up the forearms and no more pain.

Or try a different bar - lower or higher or the same height but different pullback.

I think the main thing is you have asked in the first place - don't do nothing this will most likely end in a long term issue and less riding!