Had some time to kill so I went into the brand new big REI just north outside of Cleveland off 271. Awesomely awesome store and I managed to do some damage.

One thing I found which I really am sort of excited about is a Tiger Tail foam roller. Rather smallish with just a very thin layer of foam on a hard bar. Weight is acceptable and size is perfect and will just fit inside a Watershed duffel and will accompany me on my upcoming August trip.

Ohio has amongst the best bike trail system of any state I have yet been to and I made good use of them this weekend despite the heat. My legs were rather stiff and my surfaces did not seem to "slide" very well causing knotting and stiffness. It's all related and if you don't get the trashed muscles realigned it can effect your entire carriage.

As soon as I seen it I knew it had potential and quickly went to work. In just a few brief minutes I had worked out some surfaces in my leg and felt much freedom in movement. Relief!

I have a large foam roller which of course would of been impractical to take on a canoe trip but I was secretly considering cutting a chunk off and taking it with me. But I like this better. 2 handed operation means I can really bear down and free the tissues up. It really works.......if you get stiff look into foam rollers in general and the tiger tail specifically if you want some recourse after a hard day on the portage trail. It might not be your joints at all but rather your musculature becoming a knotted mess.

I am always amazed at how much better I can move after just 2 or 3 minutes on a foam roller.


Tiger tail

Thanks MT. Never heard of it but it sounds great.

Thwarted: "Thanks MT. Never heard of it but it sounds great."

Yes I had never heard of it until just a few years ago. Apparently it is "old news" and common knowledge amongst the crowd which works out hard. Think p-90x and the Crossfit crowd.

If you go on UTube there is many devotees of foam rolling and they will further explain the benefits. All I know is that it really helps me a lot. If I get stiff or my knees or hip starts bugging me the first thing I do is a series of stretches and work with the foam roller for several minutes. It's absolutely amazing how that can provide freedom of movement. Try it and see if it helps you.......not so expensive.

I agree this is helpful. There are many styles and sizes, foam padded and not padded. You could use a kitchen rolling pin if you don't need foam padding. My hubby is an avid crossfitter and got me started. I use it before bedtime on both outer thighs to help relieve the pain I get during the night. It hurts a lot to actually roll it over the nerve bundles and muscles but then it works the knots out and provides relief from pain during the night, if that makes any sense.

Thanks! These things work miracles and nice to find in a smaller/lighter size.

Google "the stick" roller for another option. The travel stick is only 17" and in the same price range. Easily found through Amazon or Walmart.com as well.

I'm a distance runner, road biker, and mountain biker over the age of 50 so I've got 'em all, Addaday, Trigger Point, you name it. I swear by them, and at them. Hurts SO good.

JD

pro-tip:

go to any big box store and purchase a 'practice' baseball and/or softball. Put it on the floor, gently ease into it, find your 'hot spots' and roll away.

I use these in conjunction with foam rolling and the effect is amazing (and cheap).