I had to deal with that when I was riding a hybrid bike … handlebars are straight and allow less opportunity for a change of hand position. I have the problem less now that I switched to a road bike. But some ideas are — different gloves, more cushioning on the handlebar (a gel pad under the handlebar tape is nice), attachments on the bar to allow for a more natural hand position (something that doesn’t kink the wrist and relieves pressure on the heel of the hand).

It was a real problem for me with the hybrid bike, especially on rough roads and a long week of riding like RAGBRAI.

crazikate said: Having a great time training for RAGBRAI, but have lately been experiencing some numbness, tingling and reduced function in my left hand after riding any serious distance. Anyone else have a similar problem. If so, any suggestions on how to fix/stop it?

Change hand positions often and wear good cycling gloves.  These gloves have great padding in the palm area.

http://www.amazon.com/Ironman-Elite-Cycling-Gloves-X-Small/dp/B000WUJNX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310406800&sr=8-1

do you have a bend in your elbows when riding? i find if my elbows lock i end up with a hellish burn in the elbows and numb hands so keeping them at some degree of bend in all riding positions and changing my position as often as possible as remedied all of the numbness even when i’m not gloved and most of my elbow pain. also chip sealed roads make my feet and hands tingle a lot faster so i focus on riding the smoothest part when possible.

Thanks for all the tips! I have a new road bike with unworn tape and ride with my elbows slightly bent. I have pearl izumi elite gel gloves, but I’m wondering if they may be too tight. The roads we were riding we sometimes quite rough and were all hills. I had my hands on the shifters and breaks all day. By the end, I couldn’t grasp a pen and sign my name…Today I’m still having the symptoms. I had a massage this morning and am going to the chiro. tomorrow. I just don’t want it to spoil the trip!

CK…a question:  Did your bike shop fit go through a fit kit with you  to make sure your bike fits you properly?  It’s new enough yet and if they didn’t do a “fit”  with you before you took it out the door I’d take it back for a proper fitting before you try to take it on RAG.  Good luck.

Knees, I did get it professionally fit, but I’ve changed the handle bar position a couple of times. I’m going to take your advise and take it back in. I was wearing my wedding and engagement rings and I wonder if that made the glove too tight on that hand. As I sit here at my desk, I’m noticing that I have pain in my left elbow. Boy, the things you take for granted!

Lots of good advice so far I would add that you should be relaxed and not hold the bar with a death grip.   most of the time you can just roll along with a very lose grip on the bars.   If your going to go over some bumps then tighten the grip for a second.  

I’m having the same problems with weakness — very hard to turn a key to open the door to my house or type.  I put in 80 mile days both Saturday and Sunday and could barely hold my toothbrush last night, but it is already better today and am hoping that a full rest day will help. 

My online research came up with ulnar nerve compression as the possible medical condition.  I’m trying very hard to remind myself to relax my arms and shoulders — if the arms are relaxed, then they aren’t bearing weight and the stress on the nerves in the hand is decreases.   If the symptoms persist after the big ride, it looks like some people have found relief through acupuncture. 

Getting the weight off of your hands through proper bike fit and your posture is the key — I really doubt that your glove sizing has any effect.

All great comments.  Change hand positions frequently.  If you’re comfortable, and can do it safely under the riding circumstances, ride one handed for a little bit and strech your arm and hand once in a while and then switch.

I have been contending with this issue for years, primarily with my right hand.  This season the problem grew worse, and affected my left hand as well.  I have no pain, only intense numbness in my thumb and first two fingers. I have tried all kinds of gloves, handlebars, etc., to no avail.

I have bee seeing a chiropractor and message therapist for 4 weeks and have felt quite an improvement.  The problem is not in my hands or wrists, but in my upper back/neck. The nerve bundle that exists the spine between 6 and 7 at the base of the neck is getting compressed.  My posture and neck position on my road bike agravate the situation. 

Looks like I’ll at least be in better shape for RAGBRAI.  I may seek chiropractic/massage care along the way!

I have been pain free since the spring of 1999 on a recumbent bicycle.  Well…..several of them.  After you have tried everything else take a twenty mile ride on a recumbent, then you will know if it is your “cup of tea” or not.

RIDE RIGHT

I agree.  The seating position on a recumbent would eliminate the problem in the base of the neck.  I’ve never riden one, but it only makes sense.  The position on a road bike is great for putting power to the pavement, but it sure can be unkind to the back/neck/arms/hands.

Thanks so much, everyone! I took the bike into the shop today. They suggested repositioning the handle bars but I’m not convinced.. I’m hoping that the chiropractor will be the answer. I couldn’t push the button to lower the window on my car this afternoon…so weird.

When I still rode a hybrid, my LBS guy added bar ends to the handlebars which helped a LOT. It allowed me to change up my hand positions more. Then, I finally got my road bike, and the carbon fork has made all the difference in the world, I think. The vibrations don’t transfer up to my hands, and although I still occasionally have some slight numbness in my left hand if I’ve ridden on a particulary rough road, I have never had the weakness problem again. When I did have it before, it was bad – I, too, could not even manipulate small objects or push buttons.

crazikate said: Thanks so much, everyone! I took the bike into the shop today. They suggested repositioning the handle bars but I’m not convinced.. I’m hoping that the chiropractor will be the answer. I couldn’t push the button to lower the window on my car this afternoon…so weird.

You could ask your shop to double wrap the handlebars for a more cushioning!