article from the american academy of family physicians...
includes handy tables of
risk factors,
injuries, and
bike fit considerations
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010515/2007.html
two-parter covering a spectrum of injuries
http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=39440
http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=39504
piriformis syndrome; not to be confused 'sciatica' which is a spinal complication...
this is compression on the sciatic nerve
by the piriformis muscle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome
an improper saddle fit can greatly irritate the
"sit bone"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischial_tuberosity
stress to the
iliotibial band, the large tendon that joins the femur to the knee...
a common injury to the thigh from running, cycling, hiking, weight lifting, etc.
pain (stinging) just above the knee,
and/or swelling of the tissue wherever the band moves along the femur.
occuring not all at once, builds up over time, especially when foot strikes the ground...
have
bowed legs? you're a prime candidate for ITBS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliotibial_band_syndrome
one guy's account of his battle with ITBS:
http://alexreisner.com/itband
injury or irritation of the
bursa of the
greater trochanter...
it acts as a shock absorber to the muscles that move along the bony outer part of your femur/hip...
it can by itself become annoyed, or pain here can be the result of iliotibial band syndrome...
have a
leg-length discrepancy? this could be your problem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trochanteric_bursitis
"snapping hip syndrome"; fairly easy to identify by its 'sound'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliopsoas_tendonitis
... there's a bunch more to be known about knee/ankle/back/wrist/etc. injuries from cycling, but i'm drawing upon my own recent experience in sharing these links... only the unknown is scary - study up and be prepared if it happens to you!
and the most important thing -- if you even THINK you're suffering from Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) then
STOP AND
REST UP. this is not something you can power your way through. it requires time to mend.