sore hands and sore feet

[aThousandTurns]

Oh, dear. I think I'm getting old.

I have real trouble with my hands. Pins and needles, numbness and now I'm starting to get trigger finger.

And my feet ache. I have sore arches and I wake up in the middle of the night with aching feet which crack and pop when I scrunch them up.

I'm not inclined (and can't really afford) to seek out professional help.

I did a long convoluted mostly mountainous bike tour for most of seven years in the Americas but I've been not riding much for the last year or so. Now I'm about to set off across a couple of European mountain ranges and so I'm wondering what I can do to not make any of my aches and pains worse than they already are.

Any good ideas?

[Eyebrox]

Get your GP to refer you to a specialist. Could be spinal degeneration as a result of ageing. You will be given an X ray with the possibility of follow up checks, like an MRI scan. You could leave it and the condition will worsen or the doctors might suggest neuro surgery. This has been my experience. I am not a health professional. Just trying to be helpful. First step - see your GP. You will immediately feel better when you start tackling this.

[531colin]

Or......it could be something common, simple and not life-changing.........

Go here and read "richardyorkshire" about tingly hands.http://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35438

Go here and read me about collapsed arches http://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=90412&hilit=+arches

Riding position OK?.....go here http://wheel-easy.org.uk/ride-calendar.html & download bike set up for a quick guide.

[aThousandTurns]

Hum. Thanks both of you but I think I prefer colin's take on things than eyebrox... slightly less dire.

Thanks to the links to relevant threads. Perhaps I need some new more swept back handle bars and maybe a seat reposition to sort out the hands and some foot exercises seem in order, too.

On feet and pedals - I don't use cleats, simply can't get along with them. I've got big flat pedals but I'm never quite sure what shoes to wear. The trouble is that shoes that are ideal for the bike aren't much good for walking around and vice versa. Anyone have any suggestions?

[SpannerGeek]

Sore feet are the result of poor pedal position, or bad cleat position. Mines was solved overnight switching from SPD SL to Look. A much easier system to get on with and a smaller more comfortable cleat.

[SpannerGeek]

Even though you don't use clip in pedals, you would maybe find relief for your hands and feet in a proper bike fitting.
Lack of comfort on a bike is generally down to bad position.