Rae,
I changed to twist shifters many years ago because the standard shimano shifters made my hands ache, especially my thumbs. My mother has some kind of arthritis (can never remember which but both hips replaced!)so I'm expecting to get it later in life.

I have no problem with twist shifters although some people seem snobby about them. No idea why !! They are cheap to buy on chain reaction.

I have taken cod liver oil and glucosamine sulphate for a few years now, because of my family history. It may be in the mind but I say it definately works.

Fluffy, try core stability exercises if you are unsure buy a gym ball and there is normally an exercise sheet with it, it has helped with my old fractures immensly and its good as it focuses your abdominal muscles and spinal muscles and its not painful either.

Hello Dr Hurst, can you suggest some really good stretches to get to a niggling muscle injury in my hip / butt. I think the main muscles that are seizing up is the glut maximus and minimus. Also,wWould sports massage help with this problem ? Hope you can help because I just can't seem to find the right stretch to keep the area free of pain / atrophy. Hope you can help and thanks CJ

Hi Dr Hurst Just to let you know I have seen a physio now and had acupuncture in my butt which really helped. CJ

Hi Dr hurst mines a simple one, i am new to the cycling game and would like to no how many miles do i have to do a day for my muscles to start toning, i aim for between 5 and 8 miles a day at the moment, and should i change my diet at all, i have also just given up smoking and am constantly hungry is this because i am doing more excersise i am 8 stone 6 so dont want to lose weight but after having 4 children am a bit soft and flabby.