Sore muscles from long journey riding are a common fear after every journey to explore Vietnam by motorbike. With experience accompanying thousands of international visitors, Rental Motorbike will share with you simple yet effective tips to reduce pain. Read now to prepare more thoroughly for the next journey!
Why does riding long journeys cause sore muscles?
After completing a stunning loop through the Vietnamese highlands, you expect to feel accomplished but instead, every muscle aches. If you’ve ever dealt with sore muscles from long journey riding, you’re definitely not alone. Knowing what causes it is the first step toward a smoother and a helpful way to stay safe on a motorbike in Vietnam.
Static sitting position for many hours
One of the main reasons for sore muscles from long journey riding is maintaining the same position for too long. When you sit on a motorbike for hours, the muscles in your neck, lower back, shoulders and thighs are almost “frozen”. At that time, there is no flexible movement, blood circulation slows down and the muscles will begin to tighten and ache.
Vehicle vibrations and terrain impacts
When riding long distances, especially on off road or bad roads, your body is subjected to a series of vibrations from the road surface. These small but continuous vibrations cause muscle groups to contract and stretch frequently to maintain balance. This is why sore muscles from long journey riding often appear in the thighs, shoulders and spine.
Dehydration and improper stretching
Dehydration without adequate compensation will cause muscles to easily contract and become tired. In addition, many riders forget to stretch before and after riding, a simple but extremely effective step to avoid sore muscles from long journey riding.
The most “complaining” muscle groups after a long journey
Sitting on the saddle for a long time and continuously handling situations on the road causes some muscle groups to be most severely affected:
- Neck and shoulders: Having to tense up to keep the head fixed under the helmet for many hours, easily causing stiffness and pain.
- Waist: Always sitting upright puts constant pressure on the lower back, especially on rough terrain.
- Thighs: Continuously working to keep the bike balanced, especially when stopping a lot or moving slowly on steep slopes.
- Forearms: Squeezing the clutch, turning the throttle and applying the brakes continuously can easily cause fatigue, numbness or temporary loss of strength in the arms.
Easing discomfort right after riding
Your first hour after getting off the bike matters more than you think. After a long journey conquering spectacular roads, many bikers often feel pain all over their body. This is a common condition called sore muscles from long journey riding. Rental Motorbike tells you simple but effective steps to quickly reduce the feeling of sore muscles from long journey riding, especially in the first 60 minutes after finishing the journey:
- Walk lightly for about 5 – 10 minutes to improve blood circulation, avoiding numbness due to sitting on the saddle for a long time.
- Drink water and replace electrolytes to replace the water lost through sweat, especially important in hot and humid climates.
- Applying cold compresses to the shoulders, thighs or lower back will help soothe the muscles that are overworked while riding.
- Do some light stretching exercises such as rotating the shoulders, bending, raising the knees, etc. to prevent the muscles from contracting or aching later.
Any long journey is better when your body is properly cared for. Rental Motorbike advises you not to be subjective with the symptoms of sore muscles from long journey riding. Be proactive in recovering early to save energy for the next trips!
Achieve deep recovery by soothing your muscles professionally
Anyone who has experienced sore muscles from long journey riding knows that the feeling of soreness all over the body can last for hours, even days after the trip. As a trusted motorbike rental in HCM, Rental Motorbike always encourages bikers to take care of themselves not only on the road, but also after each trip. You can alleviate this condition with a few simple recovery habits:
- Use a foam roller or handheld massager to relax major muscle groups such as the calves, hamstrings, lower back or shoulders. Rolling slowly and deeply helps to release tension that builds up after hours of sitting.
- Soaking your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom salt at your homestay is a great way to relieve stress. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which helps reduce swelling, relieve muscle pain and speed recovery, which is common in those with sore muscles from long journey riding.
- Do simple stretches for motorcyclists, such as quad stretches, shoulder rolls, hip flexors or chest openers. These movements are gentle and help restore muscle flexibility, which is especially necessary after long journeys.
- Eating properly is also an important part of the recovery process. Prioritize foods rich in protein, potassium and magnesium. These nutrients help rebuild muscle tissue, reduce cramps and relieve pain, which is helpful when you are suffering from sore muscles from long journey riding.
- Get enough sleep. It is during sleep that your body actually “repairs” the microscopic damage in your muscles, helping to recover comprehensively and full of energy for the next day.
>> SEE MORE: Affordable new motorbike rental Go Vap district for tourists
Prepare better: Prevent sore muscles on your next rental ride
Planning to rent a motorbike for your next trip? Don’t skip this. You can completely prevent sore muscles from long journey riding by carefully preparing before the trip and Rental Motorbike will give you some useful tips below:
- To avoid sore muscles from long journey riding, you should prioritize motorbikes with soft seats and a height that is suitable for your legs.
- Before setting off, take a few minutes to adjust the handlebars so that your arms are not strained. The rearview mirror should also be placed in a position where you do not have to bend or turn your neck too much when observing.
- The belt will support the lower spine, an area that is often under pressure when you sit still for many hours. The saddle pad will help reduce friction and pressure on the buttocks.
- Every 90 – 120 minutes, stop at a coffee shop, gas station or roadside to stretch your legs, breathe and warm up your muscles. This is extremely useful to prevent sore muscles from long journey riding from accumulating after many hours.
- Practicing some shoulder rotations, back stretches, hip bends or light squats will help your body “get used to” the movement, activating important muscle groups to prepare for the journey.
Don’t let sore muscles from long journey riding prevent you from enjoying the majestic beauty of Vietnam’s roads. Rental Motorbike is always ready to support you not only with good vehicles, convenient services but also useful advice for every kilometer you travel. Contact us now to get advice on the right vehicle and prepare for a comfortable trip!
Contact Info
Address:
Location 1: 263/1/42, Le Duc Tho Street, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
Location 2: 57, Bat Su Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi
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