Am I doing it wrong???

bobtbuilder

Hi,

I have been reading a lot of the threads here in the Training forum, and picked up loads of useful info (thanks, everyone!).

One thing which I have noticed is a lot of people stating how hills hurt them in the calves. E.G.

Yeah definately do some steep hills, your calves with burn like buggery.

For me, it's always the quads that feel it, and pretty much only the quads, unless I get out of the saddle, in which case the Glutes feel it too.

This is true of the climbs around my home (Sussex) which tend to be short 'n' steep, or longer climbs like Alpe d' Huez, or Ventoux which I rode last year.

I can honestly say that I never get a burn in my calves. Is it likely that my bike is set up incorrectly, or do I have a naff pedalling style?

I can't help but feel that I am missing out on some more power, based upon the assumption that "If it isn't hurting, then I can't be using it enough".

Any thoughts?

bahzob

I think you are ok.

I think (based on recieved wisdom and personal experience)
The quads do most of the work when cycling and the calves relatively little.

There is an exception, when climbing to get a bit of seated acceleration or just to ring the changes on a long climb I will sometimes do what I think is called "ankling" where the foot postion changes during the pedal stroke. This puts a lot of strain on the calves, its the only time I am aware of them and I dont think is generally recommended. This may be the cause of some of the complaints in their calves that others mention.

Richie G

I wouldn't worry - i'm always amazed at the size of most cyclists calves, whereas i have virtually no calf muscles and they certainly don't burn when i climb! Like you it's quads that feel it with me. As hills are the only place i seem to be any good on a bike i'm just putting it down us all being different!

Rich

portuguese mike

yeah, i don't think i've ever noticed my calfs when climbing - quads/glutes yes, calfs no. just rejoice that you don't have that misery to contend with along with everything else.

guv001

I sometimes get cramp in my calves when doing long rides (100 miles +). This is the only time they hurt me, however it proves that they do get used when cycling..

chrisw12

Agreed, do hills every day and never notice calf pain when riding. On the other hand I notice that my calves are very sore to touch after long rides. I woudn't even notice this except my daughters have a habit of jummping on me when I lay exhausted on the floor.

SteveR_100Milers

I have oversized calf muscles that seem to contribute nothing to either aesthetics nor climbing prowess. Mine never hurt either when riding, in fact I fail to see why they are even required... I'm envious of cyclists that have slim calves makes quads look better proportioned, I have popeye's arms for legs

ut_och_cykla

I think calves do a far bit of work but in a static way - they're 'designed' to hold you standing all day and thereby tolerate a fair amount of stick. Body builders say they are one of the hardest muscles to tire out. I've never understood people who say their calves get shot cycling - always assumed THEY were wrong not me!

graeme_s-2

Just to echo what others have said. I have relatively large calves, but generally don't experience discomfort in them when climbing. I do occasionally get cramp in my calves when doing TT-typed efforts (including both triathlons I've done )

il_principe

My calves have certainly got bigger over the last few years, I don't really feel them when riding, but they do sometimes cramp towards the top of hills for some reason.

zebedeecp

bahzob wrote:

II will sometimes do what I think is called "ankling" where the foot postion changes during the pedal stroke. This puts a lot of strain on the calves, its the only time I am aware of them and I dont think is generally recommend.

I would say what they call 'ankling' is recommended because if your not doing it your not pedalling correctly. You should be dropping your heel at the base of the pedal stroke so that your using the upward pull of the stroke. This means you use less energy and are more efficient. This also encourages the use of the calf muscle.

oldwelshman

You do use calves when climbing, well should do if you use full stroke when climbing, most people just "push" thats why quads hurt more as they do more work.
I normally only get pain after races or hard sportives and sometimes even after hard track session.
I was once made to climb the Bwlch without shoes, with the old toe clips to teach us how to "pull" on a climb :shock: now that hurt !!

andrewgturnbull

guv001 wrote:

I sometimes get cramp in my calves when doing long rides (100 miles +). This is the only time they hurt me, however it proves that they do get used when cycling..

Hi there.

Eat a banana and drink plenty on your longer rides - that should help with cramp.

Cheers, Andy