hainy
02-07-2015, 12:36 AM
Hainy's Story
I first met Steve and Margaret about 30 years ago when they ran a traditional bike shop in Clovelly. I played a lot of tennis in these days and would go for a Sunday ride to strengthen up my legs. 20ks was a long ride back then either to La Perouse or Watson's Bay. I started to experience back issues from tennis and thought I would like to take up cycling. I was then posted to PNG with the company and intended on my return to Australia to take up cycling. I returned to Melb in 2002 and was hooked on cycling straight away doing Sunday crit races with the Carnegie Cauldfield Cycling Club. I had success in C grade but could never match it in B grade. I had read about bike fit and went to see a well known fitter in Melb who set me up with a very laid back position. It wasn't long after this that I started to develop low back problems and just put it down to my old tennis injury. After seeing lots of PT's I thought it might be a good idea to get a second opinion on by bike position. I found out that Steve in Sydney was now fitting people and started to correspond by email but this didn't resolve my issues. I did a lot of business trips to Sydney so booked in to see Steve on my next trip.
He discovered how twisted I sat on the bike which I put down to all my days of twisting one way playing tennis. While he could help get me more comfortable on the bike he recommended I look into taking up Pilates and seeing a good osteo to try and correct my major symmetry issues. None of us is perfectly symmetrical but I was worse then most. THis was 2006 and have worked hard with Pilates, stretching and regular osteo treatments to improve dramatically. If I hadn't seen Steve I probably would still be trying to find out why I suffered from back issues as no PT had pointed this out.
On my return to Sydney in 2008 I bought a custom bike from Steve to match my required position and a second one 2011. I still ride these bikes and know that any future bikes will be based on the same geometry. I continue to do daily back exercises and have leant over the years which ones work for me. I stretch for at least an hour after every ride.
So while Steve is a great place to start to be more comfortable and efficient on a bike he will be the first to admit he can only do so much but he can certainly point you in the right direction to be a better human specimen both on and off the bike.
I am always amused when I hear about the kind money people put down on a new bike and they haven't seen Steve to find out their optimum position and get a good idea what geometry they should be looking for. When I recommend Steve I often gets comments like your 10 years younger then me or I am happy just riding slowly and getting to the finish at my own pace. Seeing Steve might not mean you ride a lot faster although I am pretty sure you will maintain a climbing speed a lot longer and ride better the next day and day after that. I have done a few week long tours in recent years and while others are getting slower and slower I tend to able maintain the same pace.
Please don't get me wrong I am still a beginner when it comes to cycling and feel I learn something every time I ride and talk to people like Steve. Cyclists come from all over Australia and the World to see and be trained by Steve and I am spoilt to have his service at my doorstep
He is not the Messiah just a very clever boy.
Cheers and Happy cycling
Hainy / The Lone Rider
Pedal Pushers
Suite 316 / 30-40 Harcourt Parade
Roseberry, Sydney , Australia
612 8338 8911
www.stevehoggbikefitting.com
I first met Steve and Margaret about 30 years ago when they ran a traditional bike shop in Clovelly. I played a lot of tennis in these days and would go for a Sunday ride to strengthen up my legs. 20ks was a long ride back then either to La Perouse or Watson's Bay. I started to experience back issues from tennis and thought I would like to take up cycling. I was then posted to PNG with the company and intended on my return to Australia to take up cycling. I returned to Melb in 2002 and was hooked on cycling straight away doing Sunday crit races with the Carnegie Cauldfield Cycling Club. I had success in C grade but could never match it in B grade. I had read about bike fit and went to see a well known fitter in Melb who set me up with a very laid back position. It wasn't long after this that I started to develop low back problems and just put it down to my old tennis injury. After seeing lots of PT's I thought it might be a good idea to get a second opinion on by bike position. I found out that Steve in Sydney was now fitting people and started to correspond by email but this didn't resolve my issues. I did a lot of business trips to Sydney so booked in to see Steve on my next trip.
He discovered how twisted I sat on the bike which I put down to all my days of twisting one way playing tennis. While he could help get me more comfortable on the bike he recommended I look into taking up Pilates and seeing a good osteo to try and correct my major symmetry issues. None of us is perfectly symmetrical but I was worse then most. THis was 2006 and have worked hard with Pilates, stretching and regular osteo treatments to improve dramatically. If I hadn't seen Steve I probably would still be trying to find out why I suffered from back issues as no PT had pointed this out.
On my return to Sydney in 2008 I bought a custom bike from Steve to match my required position and a second one 2011. I still ride these bikes and know that any future bikes will be based on the same geometry. I continue to do daily back exercises and have leant over the years which ones work for me. I stretch for at least an hour after every ride.
So while Steve is a great place to start to be more comfortable and efficient on a bike he will be the first to admit he can only do so much but he can certainly point you in the right direction to be a better human specimen both on and off the bike.
I am always amused when I hear about the kind money people put down on a new bike and they haven't seen Steve to find out their optimum position and get a good idea what geometry they should be looking for. When I recommend Steve I often gets comments like your 10 years younger then me or I am happy just riding slowly and getting to the finish at my own pace. Seeing Steve might not mean you ride a lot faster although I am pretty sure you will maintain a climbing speed a lot longer and ride better the next day and day after that. I have done a few week long tours in recent years and while others are getting slower and slower I tend to able maintain the same pace.
Please don't get me wrong I am still a beginner when it comes to cycling and feel I learn something every time I ride and talk to people like Steve. Cyclists come from all over Australia and the World to see and be trained by Steve and I am spoilt to have his service at my doorstep
He is not the Messiah just a very clever boy.
Cheers and Happy cycling
Hainy / The Lone Rider
Pedal Pushers
Suite 316 / 30-40 Harcourt Parade
Roseberry, Sydney , Australia
612 8338 8911
www.stevehoggbikefitting.com