Mountain Biking - Arg my knees

I would have asked this in fitness and health but it is specific to those of us who understand what chocolate foot means :)

I currently ride with my right foot back under my body and my left foot chocolate the entire time I am on a dh section, coasting anything remotely technical, bunny hopping etc...(I am sure you know what I am referring too) I am finding my right knee is really starting to hurt and am wondering if others can switch it up or it you do. This obviously throws balance into the wind and requires a whole different kind of ride (riding non-chocolate front is really weird)

Just curious what some of you guys do, do you pedal your foot to the opposite and try and switch it up etc...looking for suggestions.

Cheers.

My left foot is generally chocolate too but I've been trying to combat that by switching to my right when extreme balance isn't totally essential. I don't know that I'll ever be fully comfortable with flipping between left and right but it does give my right knee a break every once in a while. I guess it all depends on how dynamic your course is. Since I tend to ride mostly XC I can find sections (when I'm not pedalling) where I can coast with the other foot chocolate.

Don't know what 'chocolate' means and am pretty much a newbie when it comes to MTB lingo, but I have had on and off knee pain over the years from riding. Solution, knee support. You can get a knee support band at your local drug store for around $10. Your knee is most likely hurting due to friction under your knee cap, which will be solved by providing some support. There are a few types, try them on and see which one works. I have one that I use every now and then when I'm well into the season and the pain starts up.

Better then switching to an uncomfortable/unbalanced position, especially when it's dh :)

However, you may spank me if MTB riders find things like support bands wimpy. Other solution would be physio type weight lifting exercises which has helped me decrease the knee brace usage to only a couple times a year. Regular (1-2 times / week) exercises such as leg extensions and leg curls in the high rep (10-20) low weight area will fix most issues with knee pain, as long as it's done consistently and correctly.

6Rider, thank you for the advice, I have considered wearing some support and plan to try it. Chocolate is simply riding with feet parellel to the ground and the chocolate foot is the one most comfortable forward. Mine happens to be my left. I have been an avid lifter for over 10 years and actually avoid leg extension as they tend to put a lot of pressure on the knee. I am currently considering starting a plyometric routine so I need to start being even more carful. (bands aren't wimpy a lot of dhillers wear support for ankles and wrists)

Khoun,
That is what I have been trying to do. I will keep at it. I have even been practicing bunnyhopping the wrong way as well as manuals. Just to get a feel. Hopefully it helps. I don't think I can do drops in that position though so I need to start figuring out ways to remove some the extended time in that position.

see a doctor, then a physical therapist. i think that is a common injury to bikers.

as for riding one foot forward vs. the other; you can learn anything given enough practice.

you may not be able to take the same size drops with your pedals opposite today but continue to ride that way and one day you won't remember what foot is natural anymore.

try this, when riding around town, or coasting down simple trials ride wrong foot forward. try to get in the habit of doing it as much as you can, ride off the small stuff and work up to the big stuff. you know you have the skills to roll over a small drop, say one foot or so. so even if you mess up your not going to die.
like anything else, practice.

i'm goofy foot

Well went for a ride today trying goofy foot and it seemed to work. 1.5 hour trail ride and no knee pain. My shoulder and upper thigh hurt from a crash because of it but that will take time. Thanx guys. It also made my ride a lot more fun as I was pedalling in section I normally don't pedal in order to go goofy. I think this is gonna help my riding overall :)

Funny thing I can't manual chocolate foot but I somehow manual goofy...

I have no reference to your exact situation, but i myself have had bad knee problems recently, both knees to be precise.

I started doing low weights, high reps on the knee extension machine in the gym,to build up the muscle around the kneecap. Also you should seriously consider taking Glucosamine Sulphate, atheletes take it for healthy joints and ligaments. It should be available at most chemists or herbal remedy type shops. I have taken it for a while and it has eased the pain considerably, dont get pain on the bike any longer.

Cheers, good luck, and i hope i was of some use. :beer: