Part Two: Body Geometry Fit (to read Part One, click here)

We got started with the interview and physical assessment where Micah, the Body Geometry Fit Specialist, checked and analyzed everything from the tips of my toes up through my feet, knees, pelvis, spine, core, shoulders and neck. We throughly went through the list of questions he had for me and discussed any current pain, problems and goals for riding. I discovered that I had different arches on each foot and how that translated into my cycling. Everything was so detailed and there was a reason and explanation for it all. The words “maybe” and “probably” weren’t used, it was science and for once in my life, all of the issues I had with riding were being addressed.

After the physical portion, it was time to get on the bike. With cameras around me, everything was documented and being sent straight to the computer for analyzation. Addressing my number one complaint, soft tissue pain, we spent a fair amount of time trying out various saddles. I’m ridiculously happy that Specialized introduced the Power Saddle this year because that’s what ended up working best for me. Once the reach, saddle, knee angle and drop were dialed in, we moved on to the footwear. Placing new footbeds in each shoe, I was able to easily pull up on the pedal rather than curling my toes to fill up the shoe (yeah, that was actually happening). Moving on, he adjusted the cleat placement in order to neutralize my toe position and keep them from pointing out. Once everything was in place and completely dialed in, Micah took measurements and photos of the adjustments. He went to grab a stem to put on the bike and realized he didn’t have a Specialized one in stock, so he took if off his own bike. So amazing and kind.

At this point, we are a few hours in and the store is closed, yet there is no rushed feeling. He proceeds to take the bike into the shop area, give it a once over, make sure it’s shifting correctly and put on my pedals, Garmin mount and bottle cages. Wrapping up our conversation, I leave with advice about what to expect with a new fit, how to approach my next race, and a request that I come back for a follow up. He reminds me to make sure I let him know immediately if anything is uncomfortable when I ride this week and we pack up my beautiful new bike perfectly fit for me.

Special thanks to Micah and Jeremy at Georgia Cycle Sport

Read the original post on Find Your Fast.

Part One:

As we all know, “New Bike Day” is hands down one of the best days you can have - there is no denying that. But “Body Geometry Fit Day” has changed everything about riding for me. Ever since I’ve gone through this process, I must sound like an overly excited infomercial when I tell people about it, but I promise you, if you care about how you feel on the bike and haven’t had this fit done, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Although I live in Atlanta and there are many bike shops around, Georgia Cycle Sport in Athens (about 1.5 hours away from me) has such an outstanding reputation that I was encouraged to go there.

On Tuesday, I left work early to drive North to Athens, GA with camera in tow. What had been a few phone calls here and there was finally happening. My new bike was waiting and Micah, the owner and Fit Consultant at Cycle Sport, would be there to get me all set up. An easy to talk to guy, I was looking forward to meeting him just from the few quick conversations we had already shared. I walked in and was immediately greeted and asked “do you want to see your bike?” He walked me into a small private room to the left side of quite a large bike shop. A red room with Specialized bike parts lining the wall, there sat a beautiful new pearly white Amira Expert Lululemon Edition. I was instantly in love.

Now it was time to get started. Micah handed me an iPad to fill out my information and one of the last questions asks if there is anything specific you want to address. Being in the middle of the city, all of my local bike shops in Atlanta are much smaller, so right then and there I was really relieved to be in a private space dedicated to bike fitting. As a woman whose main complaints concerning pains on the bike are female related, I was glad to know that everything I was about to discuss wasn’t for the entire shop and their customers to overhear. Not that it’s embarrassing or anything no one has ever heard before, but it was great to know this was between him and I. No distractions, no pressure. I changed into my kit and we got started.

Read Part Two here.

Special thanks to Micah and Jeremy at Cycle Sport

Read the original post on Find Your Fast.