I tried out a new pair of large size Louis Garneau Ergo Air Gel gloves. They were comfortable, but not snug - enough room for hand swelling from riding activity. Felt like a good size for me.
I rode 20 miles with my wife yesterday with no numbness. The pad goes all the way across the heel of the palm so the nerve channel in the middle is protected (unlike the other types I had tried with 2 seperated pads on the palm that expose the channel).
I guess my anatomy needed the full palm heel protection.
The ride with my wife was utterly flat, and we went slow -very relaxed. I am sure that helped too.
However, today I rode very varied terrain for 15 miles by myself as fast as I could manage to have a really good workout. Lots of long rural uphills and downhills. I had numbness problems the whole time (same gloves).
I am guessing it is my faulty technique that's hurting me. I watched myself carefully and this is what I discovered:
I held the bars tightly in the harder ride today and felt I should I should work on a loose grip - having the hands on the bars, but not pulling, squeezing, or tightening except for sprinting and pulling up during uphills if needed?
I also found that I have a habit of locking my arms straight and supporting my body weight that way when on the hoods. I tried keeping the elbows bent and arms relaxed with just a very light touch on the bars. That shifted my weight back into my feet and behind. I felt like it gave me a more powerful pedaling stroke. I also felt that my trunk muscles activate to support my weight. Is this the proper technique to develop?
If so I will keep working on it. Please let me know as I am new to road biking and not familiar with good form.
The resulting grip when I corrected myself in these ways was very light - almost no weight on the bars. Just had hands on the bars for steering/braking control. Is this how it should be? It definitely helped with the hands.
Thanks again for all your coaching and help! Sorry to take so long explaining.
mike
