Behind every great rider, there’s a great soigneur. The right hand man, the go-to guy, who tends every whim of his rider, feeding, watering, mending and massaging. Behind the humble Velominatus Regularus, however, there’s a string of injuries, tight muscles, bad posture and aching guns. We are our own soigneurs, and if you’re like me, that’s not a great thing.
Heading towards a half century on the earth and most of that on two wheels, you’d think an old dog would pick up plenty of tricks along the way. Basics like stretching and self-massage, drinking plenty of water, and not as much beer are learned early, but virtually ignored totally. I never stretch; no matter how many times I’ve been advised to, I just seem to lack whatever disciplinary gene that encourages me to put aside half an hour after a ride or whenever I feel tight (ie always) to roll around on the floor and pull a few limbs into strange positions. After particularly long or hard rides, I might give the hammys a cursory tweak in the shower or rub the legs a bit once out. I have one of those trigger-point rollers, but it hardly sees out from under the bed. It feels good and no doubt helps, but it’s just way too easy to flop on the couch with a beer and zone out on the idiot box.
As I increasingly find it harder to get out of bed, or walk up the stairs (there’s about a hundred to my house) it seems the only time I’m comfortable is when I’m on the bike. As soon as I dismount, I’m like a foal with a hunchback trying to take its first steps. But it’s about time to get real and help prolong an injury-free riding life. I see guys my age or even younger nursing injuries and think maybe I’m just lucky, and surely my time will come if I continue my lax routine. The same care that goes into my bikes needs to go into myself. Stretching every day, maybe some core exercises, self massage after rides, might even try some yoga.
And my own swanny.
My friend Josh, a recently graduated massage therapist, has offered to try and ‘sort me out’ with a round of treatments over the next month or so. When he asked what area needed work, I replied ‘everywhere’. As he’s been gently reminding me for years that I need to stretch, he knows what sort of state I’m in and what I put myself through on the bike. It’ll be interesting to see what regular massage can do for a regular Cyclist, even if it’s once a week rather than the everyday luxury of the Pro. And if nothing else, I hear there are some pretty good looking women at the yoga place…
I’ll keep you posted over the next few weeks as to my progress. What sort of self-soigneur techniques do you all employ, if any?
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FWIW:
I'm all for not objectifying women in any regard, but giving someone shit for enjoying the presence of fit athletes of the opposite sex is ridiculous.
...and middle-aged geeks joking about how they enjoy yoga for the women half their age in tight clothing, and then telling women what they should and shouldn't be offended by while ganging up and swearing at them from behind computer screens is not ridiculous?
Fuck this, I need a break from the internet and a long bike ride. G'night.
@andrew
What if... you appreciate women... love swearing from time to time... and spend a good deal of time on a cycling blog ??? These post(s) very well may be perfect for this forum.
@yogacyclist
Well said. Unfortunately the road is long.
Turn around and walk away from the computer...
Turn around and walk away from the computer...
Turn around and walk away from the computer...
I'm as stiff as they come, tried stretching a few years back, just made me sore and miserable.
Don't get back pain, but do lots of weights to keep muscles strong and posture good. My PT warned me that cyclists are prone to back weakness, so I am happy to sacrifice speed on hills for overall body strength.
Sorry, but I like hot chicks too. Admiration is not objectification, necessarily.
........steps away from computer, goes and picks up kettlebell, nearly forgot I had a work-out plan today...
Keep it classy people. We pride ourselves on at least making a concerted effort to honor and respect that women are making strides in cycling. Every single person who is a member of this community deserves respect. That's especially true for women. They have steeper hills to climb and don't need your fat ass sucking their wheels. Keep your yoga pants comments under wraps. If you can't show respect at least practice the masturbation principle. Would you want some wanker on the other side of the world making comments about your wife or daughter and her yoga pants? If yes, then maybe this isn't the place for you. If no, then keep a lid on it and be a fucking gentleman. Understood?
Wow, good looking women at the yoga class....spoken like a true asshole.
@yogacyclist
Plus one badge to you.
@cyclebrarian, @Weldertron
I'm sure you meant well, but as @Marko said, chill the fuck out and keep it classy. We have been fighting a long hard fight to help support Women's Cycling and help make women feel at home in what is a totally male-dominated sport, and this sort of chatter should be kept off this site, which is built on respect and passion.
What you should have done is welcome her to the community like we do most other newcomers.
@minion
When I do that, my legs bump into the opposite wall. Which raises the question: how short are you or how big is your room?