[chaco24]

OK I'm new to riding road bikes, but is it normal to have a slightly stiff neck after about 15 min. on the bike? Also my hands start to go numb after about the same amount of time. I spent about an hour getting fitted to the bike when I bought it, and the shop owner told me it was common to have the numbness and stiffness at first, but after doing my first 20 miler on the bike today I am also feeling a little "cramped" on the bike. I'm Google searching like crazy trying to find some answers, can any of you guys help me out with?

[Industry_Hack]

No, that's not normal. Do you stretch at all? Are you overweight/out of shape?

[chaco24]

no I do not stretch, and yes I am probably 30-40 pounds overweight,(I was 270 and now weigh 229, hoping to drop even more now that I ride daily) I'm 5'10" and just started riding regularly about 3 weeks ago. Any suggestions, and please be kind I am trying to get/stay in shape.

[Industry_Hack]

Do you try to keep your head up the whole time you're riding? Do you ride in the drops, or switch up hand positions frequently? I guess you should describe your riding position. I'm picturing someone spending too much time in the drops, while trying to see the road ahead, but I could be wrong. And my doctor would tell you that you're about 50 pounds overweight, as we're the same height, and he seems to think I should be around 180.

[chaco24]

I'm very rarely in the drops, mostly I'm on the hoods. I try and move my hands around on the top area of the handlebars, I ride in some traffic so I like to keep my head up and on a swivel so as not to get creamed by someone texting while driving, and if I was 180 I would look like I was starving! I am also including a pic of what is left of my right hand after a radical ray resection to get rid of a cancerous tumor, may have something to do with the numbness I'm experiencing.

[Industry_Hack]

Are you only numb in your right hand, or both? Numbness is caused by pressure on nerves, so you need to determine where that pressure is coming from. When you were fit, did they work with you on getting fit in the upright position you ride in? If not, you may indeed be a bit cramped. Examine the angle of your wrists when riding - are they bent at uncomfortable angles? You may need a stem with more length and/or rise.

By the way, this is difficult to do over the internet, but I like the fact that it's forcing me to think a bit so early in the morning.

[Engyo]

I used a somewhat radical procedure to get rid of stiff neck and numb hands - I bought a recumbent.

[funetical]

No it's not normal. I had issues at first with seat placement and thickness and it resolved the issue for me. I think I was sitting on my spine.

[chaco24]

I get numb in both of my hands, I also ride with a back pack on, so that may have something to do with it too.

[TxCyclist]

How old were you when you got cancer and did it start as a mass under the skin you could see/feel?

I have a condition in my shoulder area that apparently is common where my nerves get kinked really easy sitting or riding in a position for too long. Then I get numbness in both my legs and arms. It has a name, I will look through my documents for it.