Hamstrings and bum - ouch!

Bagonabike · June 2007

Rode about 77 miles yesterday - longest ride of the year so far (the shame [V]) and although felt fine on the ride my hamstrings are very tender today, as are the bottom section of my bumcheeks.

This is a new ache for me, if anything it's usually my quads.

I know there are many odd things that could cause this, but I've been riding consistently recently, daily commuting and 40+ miles a day at weekends. No change of bike, no change of position.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm using a slightly higher gear on climbs than previously. Not noticed any pain after shorter rides, but would that be enough to cause this?

yogi · June 2007

My hamstrings get very tight and sore if I don't ride for a while but that's obviously not your problem here. Not sure about the bum cheeks but suggest you get some massage. Do you do any stretching exercises? May be that would help.

Was the 75 miles from the Nello ride? I had hoped to do it but circumstances didn't allow.

Fab Foodie · June 2007

Hi Bag
The higher gears combined with the extra distance could be a factor. I tend to sit-back and push a higher gear gear than most and it definitely gets my hamstrings. Make sure you stretch very gently.

The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
Fab's TCR1

Bagonabike · June 2007

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

Not sure about the bum cheeks but suggest you get some massage. Do you do any stretching exercises? May be that would help.
Was the 75 miles from the Nello ride? I had hoped to do it but circumstances didn't allow.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Think the bum part is related to the hamstrings....will book in for a massage.

It was the Nello - opted for the 55 mile version, plus ride there and home again - enjoyed the ride, but not the weather!

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

Hi Bag
The higher gears combined with the extra distance could be a factor. I tend to sit-back and push a higher gear gear than most and it definitely gets my hamstrings. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Think that could well be it - have started to sit back more and use a lower cadence on longer draggier hills, easier on the lungs but not the legs it seems.
I do stretch, but probably not enough so will endeavour to do some more.

Have the Exmouth Exodus 100 next week so will try twiddling a bit more and see if it makes any difference.

TomF · June 2007

Get stretching ASAP and ice those hams, too.

I have just spent three visits with the physio fixing my hamstring, so am now armed with some more knowledge.

Kev67 · June 2007

I thought I read in last month's C+ that you'd cycled 100 miles in an overnight audax in the west country somewhere.

meenaghman · June 2007

Hamstrings and gluts can be caused by having saddle too far back. I started suffering from this lately (mainly pain in Gluts/top of hamstrings at their join with Gluts) but was experimenting with saddle position and was doing a lot of hill climbing (so pulling more). Seem to have been able to move the saddle forward a tad and relieve it. Note moving saddle forward also reduces distance to pedal slightly.. maybe that too was a cause. Anyway hope you manage to get rid of the pain in the arse.

Bagonabike · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kev67

I thought I read in last month's C+ that you'd cycled 100 miles in an overnight audax in the west country somewhere.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Indeed it was me, on the Exmouth Exodus but the article was about last year's ride - this year's is on Saturday hence needing nice hamstrings! It's not an Audax, just a turn up and ride event.

Meenaghman - I've not moved my saddle position, but have been sitting slightly further back when climbing so it would have the same effect.

Have massage booked for Friday, am stretching lots and will be sitting forwards and twiddling for a while.....

Fab Foodie · June 2007

Hi (again) Bag
There's nothing wrong with sitting back and using the glutes and hamstrings more, I think it was Lemond's style, it is certainly a good way to climb hills seated. The thing is if you have only just started doing it then it takes a while to get the muscles used to the effort. Persevere a little at a time. It'll be worth it, honest!
Good technique when you have run out of gears to twiddle and don't want to honk.

The pessimists of this world are rarely disappointed....
Fab's TCR1

Ravenbait · June 2007

Stretch woman! Stretch!

Sam

The cross product of Tank Girl and Ellen Ripley:

http://ravenfamily.org
"You might remember that 'annoyed' is my natural state!"

http://gentlemencyclists.org/clubhouse
"Ya'd think we could just attract ants, like normal people."

Bagonabike · June 2007

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

Hi (again) Bag
The thing is if you have only just started doing it then it takes a while to get the muscles used to the effort. Persevere a little at a time. It'll be worth it, honest!
Good technique when you have run out of gears to twiddle and don't want to honk.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hello!
I can only honk for about 100 yards at a time anyway....
Thanks, will indeed persevere (if it's good enough for Lemond....etc [;)])- but yes, only on shorter rides for the time being. It does seem to work quite well for me as a technique and good news is my knees and ITB seem to like it, just got to condition my other bits.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Ravenbait

Stretch woman! Stretch!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Me be stretchy! Honest!

Hamstrings and bum - ouch!

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