General Cycling Discussion - doctor in the house

help,
I have been riding for 15 yrs. and had the normal aches and pains but this one has me baffles. My lower legs, both of them are gettin very numb and ache after a easy ride for a day or two. I just had a major physical and passed with flying colors. At 48 i figured i have at least 20 more years of good cycling.
Any ideas would help. My doctor has no ideas at all

Untrained as I am in medicine, I suppose I am as qualified as anyone to offer a suggestion...

It could be your bike.

From experience...

I commute on the same Trek Hybrid I've used since 1988, and it fits me very well. No pain, no numbness. BUT! I also have a Trek 1220 road bike that I've used sparingly since I came to the USA. Well, since early this year, I've been commuting on it, instead of the old hybrid... and my mileage is up to 200 per week...

... and my left knee has been developing tenderness, aches, and occasional numbness. If I swap back to the old bike, I'm fine after a few days. So, I investigated... the cranks are measurably longer on the roadbike, and the frame itself is perhaps a bit too large for me (secondhand purchase, no choice.) Someday soon, I shall have to purchase a road bike that fits me.

Thus,

Have you recently switched bikes? Cranks? Pedals? How 'bout the saddle? If the answer to any of these is yes, then try switching back, maybe riding another bike if you have one.

Cambronne,

Thanks for that post. I am a short man who rides a bike that I bought on a discount that may have cranks too long for me. Or maybe I haven't learned the proper seat adjustment. But I develop occasional pain in my left knee.

I will look into proper sizing on my next purchase, and will also look into changing crank length on my current bike if it's cost effective.

Peace

(Hey, what's with the left knee? Coincidence?)

I believe my knees have actually improved since I've been riding everyday. I injured my LEFT knee while playing Rugby in college, and since then I've had to wear a knee brace when I play sports. Since January 2001 I've been cycling almost everyday (that is when I finally started commuting), and I've not had the pain in my knee that I had prior to cycling.
However, sometimes I feel like the crank length on my cycle is too short. I have long legs, and sometimes I have too much motion in my hips. Should I search for a longer crank, or could the problem with the hip movement be something else?