Lower Arm Pain

Cosmicbike

Hi folks. Wondering if anybody can advise. Whilst not new to cycling, I am new to road cycling and drop bars. Normal ride is a Trek hybrid, with rides typically 35-40 miles on towpaths, quiet roads etc for 3-4hrs. Always have a tea stop

I'm on the recovery from a 9 day hospital stay for compartment syndrome of the anterior thigh (quads), followed by a very painful dose of rhabdomyolysis, and borderline kidney failure as a result. As such my cycling activities are a little limited, typically 10 miles at 10 - 12mph average, all on the flat. I lost a lot of muscle and it's a steady build up to my former health.

Anyway, I had ordered a new road bike (to see if I liked it) prior to my hospital visit, and it arrived the day after being discharged. A very nice, budget Trek 1.2. Went out for the first time today, and after 5 miles experienced quite a bit of lower arm pain, on the outside of my arms between elbow and wrist. Moving the saddle back a few mm may have helped but hard to tell. I was on the 'hoods' the whole time, and trying to keep shoulders relaxed/elbows bent. My question, is this normal? Should I expect some discomfort? I'm used to suspension forks so maybe I just need to man up, but have no desire to have hospital food again...
Probably worth mentioning no professional bike setup has been done..

Thanks

The Real Radioactiveman

your body will take a little while adjusting to the road set up.

tyre pressures, I drop the front on longer rougher rides to 100 from 120 psi which helps a bit

flipping the stem is a quick way of making it more comfortable and/or moving the stem up the spacer stack

Change position regularly e.g. drops,hood,tops

flexible hamstrings also help so worth doing a bit of stretching