hands tingle/going numb on a long ride

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2010-04-26 1:13 PM

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Tempe, AZ
Subject: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
so i am currently not training for any major tris...so my bike workouts are 25 miles. this past weekend i did a 65 mile ride to benefit homeless children in my state. at about mile 50, my hands started to tingle and go numb. why is this? i made sure my nutrition and fluid intake was good, gatorade and xood most of the way and water at the end, along with Gu's and power bars.

any ideas? i was riding with a group last year and we did 40 miles and i never had a problem. but its been since december since ive done anything over 25.

2010-04-26 1:15 PM
in reply to: #2817328

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Champion
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
it happens to me occasionally - it is just your hands/fingers "falling asleep" - no different than when you sit with your legs crossed and your foot falls asleep.  they make some really cushy biking gloves if it really bothers you.  i just pick up my hands and shake them out when it starts. 
2010-04-26 1:17 PM
in reply to: #2817328

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Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
nerve impingement. google "cyclist's palsy"
2010-04-26 1:18 PM
in reply to: #2817328

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Expert
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Ft Gordon, GA
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
yes, I've had this happen multiple times over the years on really long rides or over really rough roads.

It is usually a minor nerve compression, usual median nerve as that runs in the meat of base of the thumb and when riding on the hoods for a long time the thumb/index finger space gets a lot fo compression. But it can also happen to the radial/uilnar nerve as well.

Good cycling gloves help but it happens from time to time for me no matter what.

I would not worry to much about it. Just means that you are "Hardening the F' Up" on the bike!

Edited by Karl Hungus 2010-04-26 1:22 PM
2010-04-26 1:19 PM
in reply to: #2817328

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Champion
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the alamo city, Texas
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
oh, if you are riding a road bike, try riding down in the drops, i have found that will take a lot of the pressure off of your hands.
2010-04-26 1:39 PM
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Master
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
I get this problem a LOT.  I have to change my hand position every few minutes...can never keep my hands in the same spot for very long.  I have tried practically every cycling glove on the market (my collection keeps growing) and NONE have ever completely eliminated the numbness/tingling.  When it gets really bad, I just drop into my aerobars for a few minutes until the blood flow is back in my hands.  I don't think I have ever done a ride in the 3 years I've been riding, where I didn't have some hand numbness/tingling or pain.  It's such a common occurrence with me, that I've gotten used to it.  

2010-04-26 1:46 PM
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Master
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Westlake Village , Ca.
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
I never ride with gloves.

If you are having the problem with your thumbs from being in the hoods, you can also just move your thumbs to the outside of the hood so your thumbs are basically against your index finger. This will relieve the pressure and you don't have to really change position at all.

I would also recommend moving your position every now and again. I always rotate around the bars just so I don't get fatigued in one position.
2010-04-26 1:54 PM
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Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
I rotate my hands around and shake them out when they start to go numb.  Shake them for about 15 seconds, and you'll feel the blood start flowing back and around your hands.

I'm guessing your fit could also have something to do with it.  The more agressive your position, the more weight will be on your hands.
2010-04-26 2:27 PM
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Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
amills1210 - 2010-04-26 2:13 PM so i am currently not training for any major tris...so my bike workouts are 25 miles. this past weekend i did a 65 mile ride to benefit homeless children in my state. at about mile 50, my hands started to tingle and go numb. why is this? i made sure my nutrition and fluid intake was good, gatorade and xood most of the way and water at the end, along with Gu's and power bars.

any ideas? i was riding with a group last year and we did 40 miles and i never had a problem. but its been since december since ive done anything over 25.


You're on a road bike?  If so, it sounds like you're pressing down on the handle bars too much.  Your hands are only their for balance, not to be weight bearing.  Try to lift your hands up periodically so that they are hovering just above (like 1 mm above) the handle bars to help train yourself.
2010-04-26 2:33 PM
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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride

I've had carpal tunnel problems over the years.  I always wear padded gloves and I've got gel-padded bar tape on my handlebars.  The best solution for me is riding on my aerobars with my weight on my arms rather than my hands.

Mark

2010-04-26 2:35 PM
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Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
Does your pinky finger fall asleep too?  If so, could be carpal tunnel syndrome.  I had it in both hands.  Thumb to ring finger fall asleep, but not the pinky.  I had surgery done on both hands and it doesn't happen any more.

https://health.google.com/health/ref/Carpal+tunnel+syndrome

2010-04-26 2:45 PM
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Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride

jmkizer - 2010-04-26 2:27 PM
amills1210 - 2010-04-26 2:13 PM so i am currently not training for any major tris...so my bike workouts are 25 miles. this past weekend i did a 65 mile ride to benefit homeless children in my state. at about mile 50, my hands started to tingle and go numb. why is this? i made sure my nutrition and fluid intake was good, gatorade and xood most of the way and water at the end, along with Gu's and power bars.

any ideas? i was riding with a group last year and we did 40 miles and i never had a problem. but its been since december since ive done anything over 25.


You're on a road bike?  If so, it sounds like you're pressing down on the handle bars too much.  Your hands are only their for balance, not to be weight bearing.  Try to lift your hands up periodically so that they are hovering just above (like 1 mm above) the handle bars to help train yourself.

x2

I had much more problem with hand discomfort when I started riding. I was putting too much weight on them. As I rode more, my core grew stronger and I changed my arm positioning to a more bent elbow. This took a lot of weight off my hands and greatly improved my hand discomfort problem.

And as others have pointed out, move your hands to different positions.

2010-04-26 2:54 PM
in reply to: #2817661

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Athens
Subject: RE: hands tingle/going numb on a long ride
zed707 - 2010-04-26 3:45 PM

jmkizer - 2010-04-26 2:27 PM
You're on a road bike?  If so, it sounds like you're pressing down on the handle bars too much.  Your hands are only their for balance, not to be weight bearing.  Try to lift your hands up periodically so that they are hovering just above (like 1 mm above) the handle bars to help train yourself.

x2

x3

I rode for 15 years before I figured out I wasn't supposed to be supporting much weight on my hands, instead most of the weight should be distributed between my ischial tuberosities ("sitz bones") and feet.  The whole idea of carrying some of the load on my feet was a complete revelation to me actually, I don't know why I never thought of that.  To do this you do need a strong core though.  Planks are your friend.

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