Aching/Sore Thighs

Hibernius · June 2007

Hi there. I hope somebody can help me with this one. I commute to work every day, only a 6 miler there and back. This is not a problem of course. However this weekend my thighs have been really aching and sore for some reason unknown to me! I haven't been near a bike since Friday but they are still achy, front and back. My calves (calfs?) are fine as is my back and bum (hee hee). I haven't done any other form of exercise so it must be the bike. Could anybody tell me why after over a year of commuting, this suddenly strikes?

overmars · June 2007

What do you eat? Any recent changes in your diet?

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The obstacle is the path

Hibernius · June 2007

No, Not at all. I'm veggie, but have been 15 years!

overmars · June 2007

Well... for them to hurt after a year is strange. I'd see a GP. Though I suspect that they'd say "Apply heat and rest".

Are you having enough salt in your diet? Magnesium? Vitamin C?
Where do you get your protein from?

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The obstacle is the path

Hibernius · June 2007

Salt? yes. Magnesium, not sure, vit C? yes. Protein comes from dairy products and beans/lentils/quorn etc.... I don't think my diet is the issue really. If it persists till the end of the week then unfortunately that "trip" to the doctor is on the cards.

overmars · June 2007

Hmm... could well be muscle fatigue.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

Hibernius · June 2007

Are you an MD? It's a serious question btw.

Wogan · June 2007

Tops of your thighs aching - near the knee end? Or back of thighs?

Hibernius · June 2007

All over really, but yes, mainly the top front and back towards the knees. However the difference is only marginal.

overmars · June 2007

No I'm not an MD.

I've been cycling to work everyday this year. I also did the L2B yesterday and returned to work the same day.
Whenever I've had a leg muscle problem it's because of:
a) change in diet
b) change to bike (eg. seat positiion, stem...)
c) over exertion

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The obstacle is the path

Hibernius · June 2007

b and c could actually have a part in it. I've been having to use higher gears all the time lately. I find it too "easy" to use the lower ones, I just end up spinning for nothing! So maybe this is leading to higher exertion? Had a service check on bike lately so nothing wrong with it apparantly. I must admit I did go to H......ds and it is one of their Carrera Subways. Is it time for a change of bike? A proper road bike to commute? Is it that I've "grown out" of the other? Overmars - I bow to your experience.

Wogan · June 2007

Not an MD, (we don't have MDs in the UK - it's usually MBChB or BM BCh at Oxford, the posh gits) but a D.Phil. Does that count?

Sounds like something has changed, whether you are aware of it or not. Either that or you're grinding the gears and it's finally caught up with you. Try spinning at a higher cadence/less effort per stroke for 1 week - I (almost) guarantee the aching will stop.

Edit: just read your last post. The consultation bill is in the mail. [:p]

Hibernius · June 2007

Thanks for the advice and PhD can count as long as you know about cycling!! Maybe a CyD??? Anyway I'll try using less effort but that also means less speed, I can't stand going slow. Am I getting it right here?

Wogan · June 2007

You should be able to find a balance. Get up to a speed you are happy with then drop down one gear and spin a little bit faster and easier. Works for me.

overmars · June 2007

Before you decide on buying a new bike... ease off! Your pushing the big gear too hard!

I did that a few months ago because, like you, I felt I was going too slow. But it led to lots of problems (ie. knee problems, and muscle fatigue) that finally forced me to find out more info on bike positioning and I finally got measured (only œ35!).

Now the only problem I have is cramp, and that's a diet thing (I believe).

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The obstacle is the path

vernonlevy · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Hibernius

Hi there. I hope somebody can help me with this one. I commute to work every day, only a 6 miler there and back. This is not a problem of course. However this weekend my thighs have been really aching and sore for some reason unknown to me! I haven't been near a bike since Friday but they are still achy, front and back. My calves (calfs?) are fine as is my back and bum (hee hee). I haven't done any other form of exercise so it must be the bike. Could anybody tell me why after over a year of commuting, this suddenly strikes?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Six miles should not be causing you any problems at all. If you have changed nothing with the bike then either you've altered the way that you ride it. Getting another bike will not necessarily make things beter regarding the gearing. There'snothing wrong with the Carrera subway you can change the gearing by changing the cassette/freewheel block or even the chainwheels at the front.

Less effort does not necessarily mean less speed. Spinning rather than mashing can lead to higher average speeds because you are less likely to fatigue during the ride. You must be putting a lot of effort into your cycling if you are hurting after six miles. try taking it easy for a week or so. Speed isn't everything.

Hibernius · June 2007

Thanks for all the responses! A good Cycling plus resolution to a problem as usual.

rrsodl · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Hibernius

Thanks for the advice and PhD can count as long as you know about cycling!! Maybe a CyD??? Anyway I'll try using less effort but that also means less speed, I can't stand going slow. Am I getting it right here?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think what you really want is somebody to tell you that you need a new bike and the pain will go away [:D]

Rick

Aching/Sore Thighs

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