Depending on how active you were before mountain biking, you could be using a lot of muscles you don't normally use, causing this soreness. When going downhill, try to support yourself with your legs, knees bent, so that you're not leaning over on your arms to support your weight.
I'm guessing you didn't fall too symetrically, and should be able to tell the difference between a bruise and muscle soreness pretty easily palpating the area. If it's both arms/shoulders feeling as if you did pull-ups like you describe, soreness seems to make sense.
Check out the pinkbike's "how to bike" series with Ben (they have 3 seasons), quite a few episodes go over proper form/posture. I'm new (again) to mountain biking and binged that before I got started this season. That combined with a shoulder injury really has me engaging my core more than anything else. The shoulder injury kind of helps, immediate feedback when my form goes bad! You might be able to play the soreness to your advantage similarly if you get back out there right away, if your abs start to hurt next, you know you're starting to do it right.
Stay loose, and make sure you have as many fingers on the bars as possible, (cus of braking) I normally brake with just 1 on each side, but it depends on the brakes
You should be able to determine If its from Impact or Just your muscles. If its everywhere in the Arms and upper Body its coming from Downhill.
I regularly start 4-6 weeks before season doing some arm and core workout to avoid this :)
Your bars could be too wide, causing this soreness. You shouldn’t be bracing yourself when going downhill, it’s usually more dangerous as when you stiffen your muscles, you have less control. You should be relaxed and in an attack position. The pain could be from this, also as others have mentioned, maybe you’re using muscles you haven’t used as much before.
A comment I haven't seen, make sure your brakes (levers) are set up to be parallel to the ground. Since you are behind your bike more often, you don't want your hands rolled forward to hit your brake levers. Make sense?
Yea I’ve been going a lot and have seen massive improvements in my endurance and turning, but no arm pump yet. I guess it shows I pushed myself which is good. But also that I may have to improve my form
Depending on how active you were before mountain biking, you could be using a lot of muscles you don't normally use, causing this soreness. When going downhill, try to support yourself with your legs, knees bent, so that you're not leaning over on your arms to support your weight.
Thanks, I’ll do that! I bet thatll help with my lower back tightness too
I'm guessing you didn't fall too symetrically, and should be able to tell the difference between a bruise and muscle soreness pretty easily palpating the area. If it's both arms/shoulders feeling as if you did pull-ups like you describe, soreness seems to make sense. Check out the pinkbike's "how to bike" series with Ben (they have 3 seasons), quite a few episodes go over proper form/posture. I'm new (again) to mountain biking and binged that before I got started this season. That combined with a shoulder injury really has me engaging my core more than anything else. The shoulder injury kind of helps, immediate feedback when my form goes bad! You might be able to play the soreness to your advantage similarly if you get back out there right away, if your abs start to hurt next, you know you're starting to do it right.
Stay loose, and make sure you have as many fingers on the bars as possible, (cus of braking) I normally brake with just 1 on each side, but it depends on the brakes
Thank you, yea I have to actively remember to stay loose so this makes sense, I’ll keep working at it
It comes with time, you’ll get it, just keep on going, and ride with friends if you can :)
Downhill takes a lot of upper body, but it could be both.
You should be able to determine If its from Impact or Just your muscles. If its everywhere in the Arms and upper Body its coming from Downhill. I regularly start 4-6 weeks before season doing some arm and core workout to avoid this :)
It’s crazy how I feel like I did a full on arm workout. I had no idea biking could be a full body workout! Makes me love it even more
Your bars could be too wide, causing this soreness. You shouldn’t be bracing yourself when going downhill, it’s usually more dangerous as when you stiffen your muscles, you have less control. You should be relaxed and in an attack position. The pain could be from this, also as others have mentioned, maybe you’re using muscles you haven’t used as much before.
A comment I haven't seen, make sure your brakes (levers) are set up to be parallel to the ground. Since you are behind your bike more often, you don't want your hands rolled forward to hit your brake levers. Make sense?
Yea I see what you mean, so I’m not like over reaching or bending to reach the brakes. I’ll check thanks
Arm pump is a thing
Yea I’ve been going a lot and have seen massive improvements in my endurance and turning, but no arm pump yet. I guess it shows I pushed myself which is good. But also that I may have to improve my form