Foundation

HOW DO YOU MOVE AWAY FROM THE BIKE? 🤔

If you've been suffering from persistent single-sided pain like saddle sores on one side or knee or lower back discomfort just on one side, then our new asymmetry podcast series is going to be super useful for you.

🔗 Link to podcast in bio ☝️☝️☝️

Or DM and I can send you the link 👍

The goal is to provide you with knowledge and insight from the 1000s of bike fits that we can done, so you can begin to understand your cycling better and give you some tools to improve your connection with bike.

Part 1 will set the scene but breaking how to think about asymmetric movement, why it pays to be aware of your own personal movement patterns and why it particularly matters in a cycling context.

Part 2 will explore how your bike position, component choices and fit choices affect how symmetrically you can position yourself on the bike. Plus so practical takeaways to improve your position.

Part 3 will explore how the body and your inherent, learned movement patterns translate into your cycling, how to go about understanding your movement and what to do about significant asymmetries.

WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK? ⛔

Sometimes it can be as simple as one element of your fit is throwing everything off.

For this rider an incorrect saddle wasn't allowing him to feel supported and comfortable...

Which means he couldn't relax into an aero position.

His arms were holding him back from putting any more pressure through his groin due to the saddle.

Take the pressure points away with the right saddle and position almost sorts itself out!

ARE YOUR FOUNDATIONS SOLID? 🧱

How well your feet function 👣 will have a direct impact on your overall performance.🚀

Unstable feet 👣 = unstable performance 💥 

ARE YOU IN CONTROL? 🕹️

Being able to reach your brakes levers & shifters WITHOUT having to think about it or make a secondary movement is a fundamental cornerstone of how to get faster... And fulfil the potential you know us out have.

Don't get let down by a poor bike position!

TOO FAR FORWARD ⏩

There are many reasons why you might end up sitting on the nose of your saddle...

If you do... It's not a comfortable place to sit... 😬

Sitting on less surface area = an increase in pressure + less support for your hips...

And you will likely see your body automatically creating compensations to try to lessen the discomfort...

E.g.

🚩Twisting your hips to prioritise your dominant side
🚩Rocking and rolling your hips more
🚩Dropping your hips over to one side more
🚩Sitting off centre
🚩Working harder on one side and less on the other

Etc.

When you get the right saddle... In the right position...

'Magically' your body can relax and find a more balanced, comfortable position.

pressure mapping is just one tool to help riders visualise and quantity what they are feeling and how they are moving 🍑

WHY DO YOU GET PAIN ON ONE SIDE? 💥

If you've been suffering from persistent single-sided pain like saddle sores on one side or knee or lower back discomfort just on one side, then this weekly series on the podcast is going to be super valuable for you!

LINK TO PODCAST in bio ⏫⏫⏫☝️☝️☝️

Or shoot me DM and I'll send you the link 🔗

The goal is to provide you with knowledge and insight from the 1000s of bike fits that we have done, so you can begin to understand your cycling better and give you some tools to improve your connection with the bike.

Week 1 will set the scene by breaking how to think about asymmetric movement, why it pays to be aware of your own personal movement patterns and why it particularly matters in a cycling context.

Week 2 will explore how your bike position, component choices and fit choices affect how symmetrically you can position yourself on the bike. Plus practical takeaways to improve your position.

Week 3 will explore how the body and your inherent, learned movement patterns translate into your cycling, how to go about understanding your movement and what to do about significant asymmetries.

IT'S NOT THE BIKE 🚴‍♀️
. .
There is a finite amount of adjustment to be made on a bike. Once a decent position has been found, your greatest gains may be in improving your body.
. .
Cycling favours symmetry. If you have any imbalances in your body movement, then this will likely show up on the bike too.
. .
Make sure you tune the engine (you!) As well as the bike 🙏
. .

DISCOMFORT IS A CHOICE 💥

Are you in control of your body / posture when you ride?

Or is your bike position forcing a certain posture?

Sometimes we need to change your bike fit to allow your body to access a better posture...

Sometimes we just need to be made aware of our posture...

So we can make a choice about what posture serves us best.

SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT 🐀⚡

Changes made:

🟢 Foot stance width widened 3mm
🟢 Arch support installed
🟢 Cranks shortened from 170-160mm
🟢 Stem lengthened 10mm
🟢 Cockpit raised 10mm
🟢 Awareness &control of posture ⚡

On their own, the effect of each of these individual changes might be small...

But the combination of all of them leads to a significant result 💯

If you've been chasing your fit for a while or just can't seem to find the right thing to adjust...

Maybe it's more about looking at the whole picture and understanding how all elements of your bike set up affect each other.

TIPS FOR NUMB FEET 💥👣💥

Getting numb feet on a ride is not "normal"

It's your body trying to tell you something isn't right!

Start by ensuring your bike fit is not causing the problem...

Shoe fit, cleat position and saddle position have major roles to play in determining your foot comfort and stability on the bike.