I'm on a low budget (let's say $50 to start although I could maybe go higher), what's the best way to reduce this, bearing in mind there's a limit to what I'm allowed to do to the bikes. Supervisor says bringing in my own saddle is fine so I'd be v grateful for recommendations on that front, as well as anything I can do to reduce the vibrations going up through my hands.
If it's of any relevance, the bikes in question are old ebikes w/ a front suspension fork (not that it seems to do anything) & straight or in some cases v-shaped handlebars. Airless tires too, which I'm guessing aren't helping.. Thanks in advance comrades
“Some cycling ailments are confined to the elite and some to recreational riders. It is unheard of for me to see [...] our national squads with numb or tingling hands. However, I have seen serious recreational cyclists with quite debilitating hand-nerve injuries referred to me by local doctors.”
A good chunk of the book deals with off-bike stretches and flexing to cut down on injuries too. I've found better off-bike care has helped me a lot, and I know a good number of cyclists who swear by their yoga sessions.
Hope your situation improves!
Edit to add: He also has a few videos on Youtube with advice on improving your fit for comfort and pain relief, which is a cheaper option than the book ;)
¹ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bike-Fit-Optimise-Performance-Avoid...
My sports med doc told me this: if activity X is causing you pain you should cut the amount of activity X you do by 50% and if the pain doesn't get better cut it by 50% again, take some rest, if you have to.
On the way back increase your workload by 10% a week if you can do so staying pain free.
It seems agonizingly slow but it means I go from short easy hikes at the end of the Winter to getting 20,000 steps in before 8am in August.