Cycling is a great way to get exercise, but it can also lead to some common injuries. Luckily, most of these injuries can be treated with simple methods like ice or rest. We’ll discuss how to treat the most common cycling injuries so they don’t slow you down and you can stay safe on your bike.
Common Cycling Injuries: Causes and Treatment
- Knee pain – This is the most common cycling injury, and many factors can cause it. Poor bike fit, overuse, and incorrect pedaling technique can all lead to knee pain. This is also a popular complaint among bikers who use a fixed cleat system. The best way to prevent knee pain is to make sure your bike fits well and that the cleats are correctly positioned. If you do start to experience knee pain, ice and rest are the best ways to treat it.
- Back pain – Lower back pain is another common cycling injury caused by overextending your back while riding. Cycling can put a lot of pressure on your spine and cause pain, especially if you are in the same position for a long time. Correct posture and proper bike fit are the tricks to preventing lower back pain. If you’re not in a cycling competition where drug testing is mandatory, several companies sell legal THC as an option to relieve aches and pains.
- Achilles tendonitis – This usually happens when your toes are always pointing down causing the continuous contraction of your calf muscles. Either your cleats are not properly positioned or your saddle is too high. Aside from making sure your bike is properly fitted for your body and posture, proper rest and an ice pack can also help relieve Achilles tendonitis.
- Foot numbness – This is often caused by poor bike fit, incorrect pedaling technique, or wearing narrow shoes. Another factor is too much hill-climbing, which involves pushing a lot and putting a lot of pressure on the foot. Wearing properly fitted shoes should help prevent foot numbness.
- Neck pain – Positional problems on the bike and a lack of suppleness lead to neck pain. It is caused by muscular constrictions in the area that extend from the base of the skull to the shoulders and run along the sides of the neck. One possible fix is to shorten the stem which should allow your posture to be more upright.
Stay Safe While Cycling: Tips for Avoiding Injuries
Here are some general tips for avoiding cycling injuries:
- Make sure your bike fits well. A properly fitting bike will put less strain on your body and help prevent injuries.
- Use proper pedaling technique. Incorrect pedaling technique can lead to knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, and foot numbness.
- Don’t overextend your back and maintain good riding posture.
- Wear well-fitting shoes.
- Have a basic first aid kit on your bike to be prepared.
- Take regular rest. If you’re not competing or racing, stopping every few hours could help your body heal and recharge.
Following these tips will help you avoid common cycling injuries and stay safe on your bike. But having knowledge of some of the most frequent cycling injuries and how to deal with them may help you play your sport for longer periods of time without getting hurt.
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Taylor is an outdoors & sports equipment specialist, sports author, bike traveler, bicycling and skating expert, and smoke-free ride activist. He is also a regular reviewer of outdoor sports gadgets and accessories. About safety gear and biking facts he analyzes and gives his feedback to outdoorxsports. Writes and tests to help him, you, and us.