Rear Wheel Hop Problems

[Spektrum]

I've been practicing rear wheel hops for the past couple of days, and besides painful blisters, my forearm, lower part of my bicep, and the area next to my shoulder blade on my back have begun to ache. I was just wondering if this means I'm doing something wrong and hurting myself or if its just something you get used to (sore because i usually dont use those muscles). I'm coming off an inflamed rotator cuff injury from tennis (which led to 3 months off riding) so i'm trying to play it safe for a while, any help or advice would be great. Cheers.

[staphan]

Even if you're doing something wrong, your technique should improve as you keep practising. And as you say, your muscles need to get used to it. I'd say rest until your muscles don't ache, because they need time to build up and you'll also minimize the risk of hurting yourself.

[MadNick1.2]

He is right.

If this is something which you are not used to it will take its toll.

It took me around a month for my muscles to not ache when going out on a 4 hour ride.

Now when i go out though i feel great and strong too.

Usaully you will get the 3 day aches.

1st day after you feel it a little

2nd day you are really aching

3rd day you feel better

next day ready to ride

This is what i stick to, you are better letting your body recover.

[r2wtrials]

I was, and am to a point, in that same position. But the one thing that helped no end was getting a bar and stem combo that felt comfortable when up on the back wheel.

If you watch the good riders they are on the back wheel very relaxed and don't have to put much effort into keeping the front up on the balance point... although much of this is from good technique they also have a bar/stem that allows the bike to sit neutral when up. After much pissing around and about 5 stems and almost as many bars i have now settled on a combo that suits my frame and me.

No idea what bike you have but may be worth trying a few hops on your riding mates bikes and see if any feel much easier on the back wheel and see what set-up they have.

I also found changing from an old Hope XC rear hub with about 24 ratchet points to a 72 Echo front freewheel gave me more control.... less take up needed to make small hops for correction or going across gaps.

[cultiv8ed_mike]

If you are just learning it just sounds like a technique problem that you will iron out. You may need to change your body position so you are over the back wheel more and don't put as much stress on your arms to keep the front up.