Pain in arms when riding not arm pump

motox1991
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Edinburgh GB
Edited Date/Time 7/3/2024 8:25am

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew how to stop this.

I've been riding and racing now for 3 years at British level and i'm trying to push myself to become faster. I've begun to noticed that when I'm riding hard and start to tire I'm getting unbelievable pain down both arms from the tops of my arms all the way down. I can ride for 13mins and 38secs as fast as I can then it hits me hard. I've tried to change the damp and rebound on my suspension thinking that was at fault as I ride an rmz250f and when bought brand new the suspension was as hard as a teenage boy in a stripclub for the first time. I had to have the suspension rebuilt from k-tec but I'm thinking is it worth getting re-springed and set back up ? Can a suspension set up cause this kind of pain when riding? 🤔 I've tried changing the settings but if I change it and it feels better on the arms the handling isn't great. So I'm at a loss at what to do 🤷‍♀️

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

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3strokemx
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7/3/2024 5:43am

Do you still get the pain if you're riding slower? around 80% effort?

soggy
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7/3/2024 6:24am

It’s not bike setup. Some physiologically is going on. 

motox1991
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7/3/2024 6:32am
3strokemx wrote:

Do you still get the pain if you're riding slower? around 80% effort?

The pain isn't there when I'm riding mid-pace or after it happens i take a break or when my race is over the pain will go away in like 5 minutes and then will start back up when I start riding hard again. I'm at a loss, am I riding too hard and just don't have the strength? Super Infuriating 

motox1991
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7/3/2024 6:33am
soggy wrote:

It’s not bike setup. Some physiologically is going on. 

It's super annoying, I've never experienced it before I started pushing myself. Perhaps I'm not strong enough for the speed I'm trying to match. I just wish i knew how to fix it

The Shop

t_baum88
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7/3/2024 6:46am

You sir, are describing arm pump. 
 

Make sure your ergonomics are good specifically handlebar area.

 

Hold on looser.

3strokemx
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7/3/2024 6:54am
motox1991 wrote:
The pain isn't there when I'm riding mid-pace or after it happens i take a break or when my race is over the pain will go...

The pain isn't there when I'm riding mid-pace or after it happens i take a break or when my race is over the pain will go away in like 5 minutes and then will start back up when I start riding hard again. I'm at a loss, am I riding too hard and just don't have the strength? Super Infuriating 

Can you describe the pain in more detail?  Specific parts of the arms? hands too?

1
motox1991
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7/3/2024 6:55am
t_baum88 wrote:

You sir, are describing arm pump. 
 

Make sure your ergonomics are good specifically handlebar area.

 

Hold on looser.

😂😂 cheers!

Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it? 

I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser but each to their own. I'm not gonna cry about it hahaha! 

Enjoy your day!  

3strokemx
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7/3/2024 6:58am Edited Date/Time 7/3/2024 6:58am

Do you have any previous spine or arm injuries?

Do you get blisters on your hands when riding?

motox1991
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7/3/2024 7:01am
motox1991 wrote:
The pain isn't there when I'm riding mid-pace or after it happens i take a break or when my race is over the pain will go...

The pain isn't there when I'm riding mid-pace or after it happens i take a break or when my race is over the pain will go away in like 5 minutes and then will start back up when I start riding hard again. I'm at a loss, am I riding too hard and just don't have the strength? Super Infuriating 

3strokemx wrote:

Can you describe the pain in more detail?  Specific parts of the arms? hands too?

Hello, 

I get pain in my forearms, biceps and shoulders but not my hands, if i continue to ride with the pain i do start to lose grip of the handle bars. It's honestly super bizarre, perhaps it is just arm pump like the other guy mentioned 😳 I thought arm pump was more for forearms rather than the full arm but then again it does say 'arm' in the name 😩 

Thanks for all your help so far! 

motox1991
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7/3/2024 7:02am
3strokemx wrote:

Do you have any previous spine or arm injuries?

Do you get blisters on your hands when riding?

No previous injuries, I used to get blisters on my hands but they've toughened up a bit since I first started riding. I also used to hold on to tight to the bars which destroyed my palms but not so much now.

3strokemx
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7/3/2024 7:06am

Arm pump is characterized by swollen and firm forearms, limiting functional strength of the hands and fingers. 

Arm pump is common when people try to ride a pace they are not comfortable with and in certain track conditions because the rider has to hold on tighter with their hands and provide many corrections through the bars. Bike set up can influence this, bar bend, grip diameter, lever position, throttle position, suspension, foot peg height, tires, and more.

Pain in the arms is likely something different, but could also be from bike setup or technique. Although spinal health and previous injuries like nerve damage or musculoskeletal imbalances could also play a role.

Supplements or harmaceuticals could also be a contributor. 

3strokemx
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7/3/2024 7:10am
motox1991 wrote:
No previous injuries, I used to get blisters on my hands but they've toughened up a bit since I first started riding. I also used to...

No previous injuries, I used to get blisters on my hands but they've toughened up a bit since I first started riding. I also used to hold on to tight to the bars which destroyed my palms but not so much now.

Do you feel similar pain doing any other activities? 

Sandusky26
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7/3/2024 7:17am
soggy wrote:

It’s not bike setup. Some physiologically is going on. 

motox1991 wrote:
It's super annoying, I've never experienced it before I started pushing myself. Perhaps I'm not strong enough for the speed I'm trying to match. I just...

It's super annoying, I've never experienced it before I started pushing myself. Perhaps I'm not strong enough for the speed I'm trying to match. I just wish i knew how to fix it

I think you nailed it. 13 minutes of race pace isn't too bad for the average guy. Keep riding and it should get better. 

I'm at 15 minutes of race pace before I get super tired. I didn't ride for 10 years and my fitness gets a little better each time.

KHNC
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7/3/2024 7:23am

Since you confirmed being a female, I would suggest upper body workouts at the gym. Curls, shoulder press, rows (all types) etc. Sounds like you are pretty fast rider. Those bikes are still heavy. Getting more upper body strength should help. Sounds like you have stamina already. Just watch out for those teenage boys when you are at the club. Smile

t_baum88
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Decatur, GA US
7/3/2024 7:23am
t_baum88 wrote:

You sir, are describing arm pump. 
 

Make sure your ergonomics are good specifically handlebar area.

 

Hold on looser.

motox1991 wrote:
😂😂 cheers! Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it?  I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser...

😂😂 cheers!

Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it? 

I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser but each to their own. I'm not gonna cry about it hahaha! 

Enjoy your day!  

I said hold on LOOSER. Not you’re a loser Cool

 

Zycki11
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Edwardsville, IL US
7/3/2024 7:27am

To me sounds like your riding position is pinching nerves somehow. That is the only thing that can “shoot full length of your arm 

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agn5008
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Fantasy
7/3/2024 8:12am
t_baum88 wrote:

You sir, are describing arm pump. 
 

Make sure your ergonomics are good specifically handlebar area.

 

Hold on looser.

motox1991 wrote:
😂😂 cheers! Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it?  I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser...

😂😂 cheers!

Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it? 

I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser but each to their own. I'm not gonna cry about it hahaha! 

Enjoy your day!  

Looser 

loser

You may wanna look up the definition of each 😂

motox1991
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Edinburgh GB
7/3/2024 8:24am
t_baum88 wrote:

You sir, are describing arm pump. 
 

Make sure your ergonomics are good specifically handlebar area.

 

Hold on looser.

motox1991 wrote:
😂😂 cheers! Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it?  I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser...

😂😂 cheers!

Arm pump is normally in the forearms not the full arms is it? 

I'm also a woman 💁‍♀️💅 I wouldn't call myself a looser but each to their own. I'm not gonna cry about it hahaha! 

Enjoy your day!  

agn5008 wrote:

Looser 

loser

You may wanna look up the definition of each 😂

Oh gosh, hahaha 😂 I did read it rather quickly whilst I was working! Perhaps I should book into basic English class pronto! 😂 my apologies! 

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