[Elkhound]

I went up to Parkersburg, WV from Charleston, WV to be with a friend over the 4th. I went up WV 21.

Two things--when I started getting up over 50 mph, I felt a little out of control. Was it psychological or real? The faster I went the more I felt that I was holding onto control of the machine by a smaller and smaller margin.

Second, after an hour or so I started getting pain in the hip-joints, particularly my right hip, and after two hours I started to get cramping in my thighs and calves. Is this normal? Should I take breaks more often?

 

[TwoWheelTim]

Happy you made it back safely. I would advise to find an experienced, Burgman rider, as in currently riding the make and model you have to check it out.

Many new riders will tense up and it can cause all kinds of control anomalies, but please have it checked.

Riding takes a little physical stamina and you will build up endurance, but some days the ole bod is just not up to the task.

I put in 170 miles today and I am feeling it, lower back, and arms. but in May I did an 886 mile weekend, and in June a 770 mile weekend, without a problem.

You may want to post your bike type, if you don't have it in your signature.

Regards,

 

[Chérie]

If you not ride in long time body have to adjust to this, it take while but improve with more ride and time in saddle, getting older not help also, body respond quick to such soreness.

Move leg to different position often, stop often and walk little bit this also help.

 

[NormanB]

I agree with the above, in the sense that you 'feel' tense as you go faster than 50 this translates to your posture and muscle state. This tightening of the muscles is not only responsible for your discomfort it is also affecting control of the bike and this creates a vicious circle sort of effect - as the control is effected you get more tense and so on.

Are you an experienced rider, have you done any training?

The key thing is to relax, gripping the bars with a 'death grip' is a bad thing and a clue that you are outside your comfort zone.

No offence intended.

 

[Duster]

Your legs, hips & lower back will hurt
when you stiffen-up...doesn't take
very long. Been there myself.

 

[DandyDoug]

If you are experiencing leg cramps you might need to hydrate, just plain old water should do the trick.

We often forget that being out in the wind, any perspiration is quickly wicked away , if you do not rehydrate you can suffer all sorts of issues.

I carry water with me all the time, stop and drink frequently. If I travel I use a drink bag with a bite tube ( CamelBack) is one type . With this system I can drink water while riding.

 

[DougInKY]

I too use a Camelback when riding to help me keep hydrated. On another note, it does sound like you are tensing up while riding. That will cause muscle spasms as another poster has pointed out. Next, do you have lower back problems? This can cause hip and leg pain. I have worn what we used to call a kidney belt for years if I am riding out of town. The one I use at present is a Back-A-Line. Works wonders for me.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[Elkhound]

Pain!

Not from a fall, but just from being on the bike for a long time. What do you to avoid pain in your hip and/or muscle cramps in your legs? How often should you take a break, and are there any specific exercises you can do before a ride and/or during breaks?

 

[MacDoc]

Beadrider lets you squirm around which helps....better backrest is a big plus.

hourly breaks

Celebrex

 

[v8eyedoc]

Take breaks more often and when you do that - stretch your back & leg muscles by trying to touch your toes. Do that about 6-7 times and just hang from the waist as your muscles stretch... Also do waist twists with arms at shoulder height and do NOT swing.......your arms. Do it slowly.

Also change foot position on the boards.. Do you have a butt rest raiser or just the stock butt rest which sucks for lower back support. AND......do not slouch when riding as many of us are prone to do.. Even arch your back while riding......

DISCLAIMER: I am not a real doctor BUT play one in my office.........!!!! :lol:

 

[29534]

My little riding group meets once a week and we ride 150-300 miles. One of the group rides a 650 and I ride a 400 (til last Monday when I was hit in the rear and spilled out onto the highway and I will pick up a 650 on Thursday). As has been said, hydration and relaxation is the key. We stop every hour or so and I drink something whether I am thirsty or not. You can get dehydrated and not realize it. I used to have a death grip (many years ago) on the grips and I consciously made myself loosen my grip and relax.

I have also found that if I take one Tylenol and 2 Naproxen before I ride, I don't have the aches and pains I used to get (and I have a bad back).

 

[convertfromVespa]

Being in shape for the ride is important.

I am envious. That is a beautiful part of the country to ride.

 

[Elkhound]

Thanks.

No, I don't have much experience. I am an experienced CYCLIST---as in BICYCLES. But I went from a 50cc putt-putt to a 400cc Burgman. I considered going to a 150cc or a 250cc, but all my friends who were into motorcycles--including Harley riders--said, "No, you'll outgrow one of those too fast; go for a four hundred!"

Of course, it didn't help that WV 21 is a rather curvy WV mountain road.

Well, it is all experience, isn't it?

 

[Elkhound]

I'll certainly remember about the hydration. On a bicycle--that is, something where YOU are the motor--hydration is a priority, but one tends to forget that when an infernal combustion engine is doing most of the work. And yes, intellectually I appreciate the bit about relaxing--but it is hard to relax and not be inattentive or unmindful.

On the whole, though, I did enjoy the experience.

I will remember about taking an anti-inflammatory before a long ride.

 

[Chérie]

Chérie recipe long ride.

- 1 Advil before ride.
- 2 Plenty plenty water during ride.
- 3 250 mg magnesium morning & night.