The 7 Shades of Cycling Pain

Every semi-serious cyclist knows pain is part of the program; it’s integral to becoming a better rider. We break down the myriad of pain types–sharp pain, dull aches, raw pain, stabbing pain, searing pain, mental pain, chronic pain, pains in the neck and arses—so you’ll know when it’s OK to cry and when it’s time to cowboy up.

Stabbing Pain
This pain comes on quickly and feels as if two monkeys are having a knife fight in the location in question. Stabbing pain is usually temporary (as a result of cramping, for instance) but can be a clue that something is wrong. Very wrong. Stabbing pain is similar to searing pain but is more acute and localized. Stabbing pain in the knee may mean your bike is too big for you. Trying lowering your seat for starters. 

Searing Pain
Seared beef and fish are delicious: cooked on high heat on the outside but left soft in the middle for that melting effect.  Searing pain is a little less delicious; it feels as if the Worm of Hurt has burrowed into your arm, leg, or chest and then travels. Searing pain breathes and vibrates within your body.  This kind of pain can be deceiving as it oscillates from stabbing pain to dull ache.

Raw Pain
This kind of pain often follows awesome crashes, and is fleeting but may lead to searing pain later. Raw pain occurs in a centralized location, radiates like a star being born, then dissipates over the next next few days. Raw pain lays the foundation for bragging rights, so it’s a necessary and retrospectively awesome part of graduating from good rider to great rider.

Chronic Pain
This is the worst kind of pain. It’s brought on by the sufferer herself through years of repetitive motion. It has this insidious way of waning and waxing on the pain spectrum, and it eats time and money whatwith the endless physical therapy and osteopath and chiropractic visits. Chronic pain for cyclists tends to occur in the knees, neck, lower back, and any fulcrum on your body.

Aerobic Pain
Aerobic pain is the direct result of pushing your aerobic threshold. Aerobic pain is felt in the throat and lungs only, and it feels as someone has simultaneously iced and burned the cilia in these areas. It’s one of the best kinds of pain and is a sure sign you’re pushing yourself as a rider. Keep on it.

Mental Pain
This is the sound of your spirit being broken. You can feel mental pain coming on for minutes, sometimes hours before it takes up residence in your brain. Some have mastered the art of avoiding mental pain through positive self-talk. Mental pain that has not been deterred or deferred, however, almost always results in a colorful cussfest or heaving sobs. Working through and recovering from mental pain strengthens you as a rider and is a testament to your pushing your limits.

Dull Aches
These guys are everywhere: in your quads the morning after a long ride; in your thighs after a high climb; and in your arms after a long, technical descent. Dull aches also accompany episodes of stabbing and searing and raw pain. Chronic pain is preceded and post-ceded by the dull ache. They’re a critical part of cycling, and they respond well to Tiger Balm, ibuprofen, and hot springs.

 

Wet pain photo by Aiofe city womanchile

Seared beef photo by Arnold Gatilao

Ibuprofen photo by CLCsPics