Lost my mojo :(

bigharj
bigharj Posts: 78
edited May 2014 in Road general
I really enjoyed cycling last year and planned to enter a few century rides this year. However it has been a bit of a disaster so far. I have been suffering form saddle soreness and despite a professional bike fit and 3 pairs of different bib shorts, I get the same pain even after a short 20 mile ride.

To further compound this, I now have Piriformis Syndrome in my right buttock which has rendered me unable to walk or standstill for no more than 10-15 minutes.

I exercise daily at the gym and whilst I am very fit, I have convinced myself that I am too heavy (20st), hills are always hard and I am now uneasy at the fact cycling has contributed to the Piriformis problem. I enjoy a drink on the weekends which does not help me I know but it gives me an escape from my problems. My knee cartilage is near bone on bone and I have very early symptoms of arthritis in my fingers.

So many good weather days have passed by, with me thinking I should be out there. Sounds really stupid but I avoided visiting this forum since it all started.

A kick up the backside or words of encouragement?

Comments

  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    20 stone ?. Unless you are 8 ft tall, that will add to any joint problems you have surely.?

    If you know what keeps the weight on (weekends?) then get that sorted for starters.

    I have a friend that suffers after riding, and I know how difficult it is for him to go out, but it has to be done. It`s either that , or simply fade away for him. You sound like you have the motivation, you just need it kick started.
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently
  • xtc_special
    xtc_special Posts: 130
    How about getting out for 5 mile loop a couple of times a week just to get you back on the bike, then i would be looking at your saddle, have you had a saddle fitting for your sit bones? Bike fits can vary from shop to shop, best fit is your own one, move your seat a few millimetres forward or back to see if that helps your seating position.

    Try and get a mate to join you for a cycle, that way you have to go out if you have arranged it.
    Hope this helps a bit. :)
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  • jscl
    jscl Posts: 1,015
    It definitely check the saddle you have. Just because you're sat up and forward correctly, doesn't mean you're sitting right. Also, have you tried using some chamois cream?

    I'd recommend getting out on some social rides in you area - see if you can find some on http://goskyride.com or see if there's a local cycling group on Facebook. Nothing gives you more motivation than riding with people in a similar position.
    Follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/scalesjason - All posts are strictly my personal view.
  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    nothing much to add to what you said in your first post. You know the issues and what to do about them. I'm aged 62, 6'2", weigh a tad under 12 stone, have asthma and COPD. Just completed 3k miles this year and 12k overall
  • bigharj
    bigharj Posts: 78
    Thanks for your posts. I have taken a lot of advice (mostly form this forum) and use chamois creams, take breaks from the saddle and have tried several seats too. I suppose I'll give the long distance stuff a miss this year and concentrate in getting small rides in, regular rides are better than none at all.

    I'll change my regime too, instead of 5/6 days at the gym, I'll take it down to 4 and get some early morning rides in as sunrise is a lot earlier.

    The diet is probably the root cause both physically and mentally, at 6ft 7in any weight loss will reduce the stresses on my big frame.

    No more targets, just go out and enjoy!

    Thanks
  • cyclingsheep
    cyclingsheep Posts: 640
    As others have said and you yourself have decided to do....short regular rides just for fun. The riding will help with the weight loss and more especially with your knee. I find if I don't ride for a while my knee starts to get very uncomfortable (I have bone on bone arthritis and no ACL in my left knee) but if I cycle regularly it is much better. Good luck and just find a mate to just spin with. It helps get you out the door if someone is relying on you being there.
  • JayKosta
    JayKosta Posts: 635
    Do you feel comfortable after the recent bike fitting?
    Does it feel that your legs have to be overor under extended while pedaling?
    Do your hips 'rock' up and down while pedaling? - bad

    Saddle soreness can result from incorrect position, and/or a saddle of inappropriate size.
    My guess is that your current saddle is too narrow. Maybe try a saddle with 155-170 mm width.

    If cycling continues to give physical problems, then STOP - it's not worth ruining your body.

    Jay Kosta
    Endwell NY USA
  • Baby Trek
    Baby Trek Posts: 118
    Hi, It is hard to feel motivated to ride a bike if your riding a bike hurts! I started riding for the first time ever 2 years ago at the age of 38! I have been through many, many pairs of shorts and 4 saddles to be anyway near comfy. I have used chamois cream, tried to tough it out...you name it, been there and felt the pain!
    However, with the right saddle and pad combination and putting the miles in (even if many miles earlier on were painful) I have got there and can now ride without being in pain.
    I have recently turned 40 and have arthritis in my right foot, which has started in my left too. Until it beds in and stabilises, every foot step is painful...however...I can cycle! I find that my arthritis settles down immediately after cycling, so I keep at it as it gives some relief and also keeps me healthy and mobile too.
    As others have said already and given good advice, set SMALL targets and work up over the weeks to loose some weight and keep active. Five miles 3 times per week and then every other day and then increase bit by bit and you will soon get there.
    I hope it goes well for you and good luck...cycling has changed my life really and given me a goal and focus...give it another go.
  • bigharj wrote:
    I really enjoyed cycling last year and planned to enter a few century rides this year. However it has been a bit of a disaster so far. I have been suffering form saddle soreness and despite a professional bike fit and 3 pairs of different bib shorts, I get the same pain even after a short 20 mile ride.

    To further compound this, I now have Piriformis Syndrome in my right buttock which has rendered me unable to walk or standstill for no more than 10-15 minutes.

    I exercise daily at the gym and whilst I am very fit, I have convinced myself that I am too heavy (20st), hills are always hard and I am now uneasy at the fact cycling has contributed to the Piriformis problem. I enjoy a drink on the weekends which does not help me I know but it gives me an escape from my problems. My knee cartilage is near bone on bone and I have very early symptoms of arthritis in my fingers.

    So many good weather days have passed by, with me thinking I should be out there. Sounds really stupid but I avoided visiting this forum since it all started.

    A kick up the backside or words of encouragement?

    I'm only 5' 11" and was 18 stone last summer so started biking. I started off doing 10 mile rides 3-5 times a week and have slowly increased my distances and ride durations. I can now comfortably push hard for 40 miles with hills and have lost 2 stone without diet change. I can do 150 miles a week now comfortably if i want. Probably more if i had time.

    My biggest issue was also the saddle. Tried 4 or 5 seats then came across the Specialized Romin. What a difference! Just incredible seat.

    Keep plugging away but do more rides but each shorter distances to slowly break yourself in. I'm setting myself a target of 14 stone then will treat myself to a new bike but am anticipating that being next year at my slowly but surely weight loss pace.

    Good luck
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  • bigharj
    bigharj Posts: 78
    Yeap, got to get out of the rut.

    Went out on an 'installation ride' this morning, nothing big and didn't even switch the Garmin on. I look forward to getting back in the saddle again regularly but nothing changes overnight.

    I will plug away, thanks guys.

    Harj
  • BrandonA
    BrandonA Posts: 553
    How can you be very fit and 20 stone surely that is an oxymoron?
  • timothyw
    timothyw Posts: 2,482
    BrandonA wrote:
    How can you be very fit and 20 stone surely that is an oxymoron?
    He's 6ft7. Believe it or not, people do come in different shapes, sizes and weights.

    Fitness is not purely measured by how fast you can get up the Tourmalet.

    Looking at this he could perhaps be a discus thrower:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19050139
  • Dazz150
    Dazz150 Posts: 12
    bigharj wrote:
    didn't even switch the Garmin on

    That's a key point! Don't get me wrong, strava is a huge motivator for me. But it can also turn me into a demon, one of my most enjoyable rides was last weekend with some mates and not a single mention of segments.

    Just get back out, do whatever mileage you feel fit for on the night and come back with a smile. :D
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I had a bike fitting and it ruined riding for me, was so sore after. Went back to my old measurements and all was good.
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    BrandonA wrote:
    How can you be very fit and 20 stone surely that is an oxymoron?

    Fitness is more about VO2Max than weight, BMI or even body fat ratio. But VO2Max is hard (and possibly dangerous) to measure so Public Health advice has to focus on more accessible indicators of fitness.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • Rugby build
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • TimothyW wrote:
    BrandonA wrote:
    How can you be very fit and 20 stone surely that is an oxymoron?
    He's 6ft7. Believe it or not, people do come in different shapes, sizes and weights.

    Fitness is not purely measured by how fast you can get up the Tourmalet.

    Looking at this he could perhaps be a discus thrower:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19050139


    Lennox Lewis was nearly 19 stone, was he unfit then?!
    Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 Disc 2020
    Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 Disc 2020
    Giant TCR Advanced 2 2020
    Canyon Lux CF SL 7.0 2019
    Canyon Spectral CF 7.0 2019
    Canyon Speedmax CF 8.0 Di2 2020
    Wattbike Atom V2
    Garmin Edge 530
  • Chunky101
    Chunky101 Posts: 108
    I lost over 100lb over an 18 month period and have kept it off for over a year now. No matter how hard or frequently you train you can't out train a poor diet. A flat belly is made in the kitchen, abs are made in the gym.