I motorcycled 8,873 miles across Canada and back on my K1600 GTL this summer. This was my dream come true trip! I feel so grateful for the opportunity to see such beauty and meet so many wonderful Canadians through Couch Surfing, Air BnB, and stops for meals, etc. I did pay a physical price: ulnar neuropathy in my right elbow and wrist AND carpal tunnel; I had triple surgery on Sept 9th and am recovering doing my PT exercises religiously. My hand therapist showed me an Ergodyne catalog in which I found a pair of fingerless gloves with gel pads that cover the palm and wrist area where carpal tunnel takes place; they fit nicely under my gloves. These gloves were manufactured for people who use jack hammers, etc. The Ergodyne ProFlex 800 glove (https://www.ergodyne.com/) is something every rider should wear, ESPECIALLY if you plan to take a long trip. Carpal tunnel is the result of vibration from the motorcycle (yes, I know...BMWs have the LEAST amount of vibration of any motorcycle) stimulating the median nerve. By the time I reached Portland, Maine from Portland, Oregon, I was in serious pain. The Urgent Care MD told me I had classical carpal tunnel syndrome, and wearing a brace would help alleviate the pain, which it did. Unfortunately, I had to ride all the way back to Portland, OR, which caused some not only intense pain from both ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel, but also numbing of my thumb and fingers. I have since regained feeling in my fingers and about 80% in my thumb, and hold hope for a complete recovery. The point of all this is that if I had worn Ergodyne's gel ProFlex gloves, I might have avoided the carpal tunnel part of my experience. I don't know how to prevent ulnar neuropathy, but some research might shed some light. I do know that when the finger next to the little finger goes numb that this is connected to the ulnar nerve. Straightening out your arm while riding and gently moving it around reestablishes nerve connection.
I have communicated with Ergodyne, requesting they seriously consider manufacturing motorcycle gloves for summer and winter with gel packs to help prevent carpal tunnel. I have since learned that there are companies that may already be doing this. I plan to cycle down to Arizona this spring to check out Prescott, AZ and you can be sure I will be wearing my Ergodyne gloves.
I have communicated with Ergodyne, requesting they seriously consider manufacturing motorcycle gloves for summer and winter with gel packs to help prevent carpal tunnel. I have since learned that there are companies that may already be doing this. I plan to cycle down to Arizona this spring to check out Prescott, AZ and you can be sure I will be wearing my Ergodyne gloves.
