A week ago last Tuesday I found myself in a conversation with a friend (more of an acquaintance, actually ? I don?t really like him, if the truth?s known) about arm pump. This character, who?s done a couple of trackdays and is a solid ?medium group? rider has never experienced it. And because of that, thinks it?s a complete myth. Until my conversation with him, I didn?t realise it?s existence was up for debate. It obviously is. I decided to try and persuade him that arm pump was an actual thing by describing my experience of it to him; so I thought I?d share that with you too?

First of all, let?s get the science out the way. This is, according to Fagan, what the doctors say?

Arm pump is a clinical condition in which an individual develops intermittent marked pain in the forearms after a period of exercise or exertion. The pain is thought to arise due to swelling of the muscles in the forearm which affects the blood flow, causing oxygen levels to drop.
So there you go, if the doctors say it?s real, surely that means it is. Although they don?t always call it ?arm pump?. They quite often call it Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome; I think I?ll stick to arm pump, thanks. Because I don?t have a medical degree.

So what?s it like"

Well if you?ve ever ridden a bike as fast as you possibly can, there?s a good chance you?ll know. But if you haven?t, I?ll try and explain. The first thing that happens is you get a bit of discomfort in your forearms. That di...