Larry’s Top Three Aches and Pains: Part 1

By Larry Foss, US National Team, owner The Fix Active Body Massage, specializing in sports massage, bike fitting and FaCT lactate testing.

After 20 years of being a cyclist and 11 seasons as the massage therapist for the US Cycling Team I have learned a few things about making cycling a more pleasurable experience.

This is intended to let the novice in on a few tricks of the trade.

Every cyclist I have worked with seems to have similar aches and pains associated with either the beginning of the season or just starting out as a cyclist and the number one complaint is my butt hurts!!!

Most beginners are too often riding a bike that isn’t adjusted to the rider. If the seat is too high or low it is going to put undo strain of your behind.

Another problem is that they are riding a saddle that doesn’t fit their “sit bones.” Everyone’s pelvis is unique and when you have the proper seat set up i.e. proper saddle width, saddle height, and saddle tilt. Your sit bones will be positioned on the wider portion of the saddle taking the strain off any of the soft tissue.