Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Newbie Adversity

Well, no ride today. It's the first "scheduled" ride day I've taken off in the month or so that I've been back in the saddle.

For some reason, my left calf feels like it has a significant knot in it, no actual growths or anything, just a knotted up feeling. My left knee is also doing a pretty good job at protesting it's current existence.

My left knee is pretty far advanced in the Osteo Arthritis stages, it's completely bone on bone since the last "clean up".

What strikes me as odd, is that I haven't had any of these issues earlier on, if I was going to have them. I can't really think of anything different in the ride routine other than maybe working on increasing pace.

Anyone else have these delayed "moving parts" rebellions this long after you got back into it?

I think that we all have days where we just don't feel like it. My goal is to ride 5 days a week, 3 weekdays and 2 weekend days. If I get up on a weekday and don't feel it, I just use that day as one of my off days. The trick is to know when you really need the day off, and when you are being lazy.

:)

Are you using clipless pedals? I too had my left calve knot up for no aparent reason. I found that when I would pull up on my pedal when traveling uphill my toes would be pointing down. I've since raised my seat about an inch and it seems to have done the trick along with being careful to keep my toes level.

I'm riding a MTB with road slicks on it and using platform pedals.

I thought about seat adjustment, but if anything, I would think I'm a touch too high.

I just find it odd that it's only one leg.

I think I will check out the left pedal though. While it was stored well, the bike sat for a very long time and was ignored before I got it. I went through everything and regreased and adjusted all the usual suspects, but I didn't give the pedals a second thought since I had the plan of going SPD.

Thanks for the feedback.

PLay with the saddle height a bit, move it up and down a couple or 5 MM. It might to do the trick.

txvintage asked:

Anyone else have these delayed "moving parts" rebellions this long after you got back into it?

Only when I forget to stretch everything after a ride. Then it's pain galore.

Are both knees equally bad?
In any case, shorter cranks may be your friend.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=361045

Well, I lowered my saddle just a bit yesterday evening, and did a quick 5 miler after work this morning.

So far, everything feels ok, actually better than lately.

I had thought about Crank length, but I'm not too sure. I do realize a 5mm adjustment one way or teh other can make a huge difference.

I'm heading over to another BF'ers house this evening and scoping out a Road Bike. I have a pretty good feeling it's coming home with me. It's of a "Vintage" ilk (read Tang #1 steel frame) and sporting 36 spoke wheels, and a triple.

It's going to need some work, but that's what keeps me off the mood altering meds, lol.

"Are both knees equally bad?"

Well, the right one is a bit better off, but not the grandest example one could hope to have.

On a brighter note, when I was getting checked out by my Ortho Pod prior to starting this, he didn't call and make any around the world trip reservations after checking my right knee.

I think my left knee has paid for his lake house already. I think my back paid off his student loans from Medical School...........

Ibuprofen, Ice, and Osteo Bi-flex.

If you are riding platform pedals with no toe clips, you may want to consider that switch to clipless. Provided the cleats are aligned properly, having a more stable position will likely help your knees. You probably want a pedal with some float but you will have less overall lateral movenment in your legs.

Agreed, especially on the pedals that allow float. I'd suggest Eggbeaters from Crank Brothers, myself. They have 7 degrees of float available and are easy out as well.
Ibuprofen, Ice, and Osteo Bi-flex.

If you are riding platform pedals with no toe clips, you may want to consider that switch to clipless. Provided the cleats are aligned properly, having a more stable position will likely help your knees. You probably want a pedal with some float but you will have less overall lateral movenment in your legs.

If you are going to go clipless, I would highly reccommend Speedplay pedals. The lack of a return spring will allow your knees to track naturally, instead of the pedal trying to force your foot back to a center position. I have had NO knee discomfort at all since switching to them.

Thanks for the input on the pedals. I'll check out the egg beaters and speedplays. One of my LBS's has a pretty nifty pair of MTB pedals that are platform on one side and SPD on the other. Was thinking they would be useful for switching back and forth between regular rides and short errands.

My only experience with "clipless" is Look, and that's been way to many years ago. I did score a great buy on a NIB pair of addidas riding shoes from a guy who had serious OCP characteristics, but seemed to be giving it all up. They were his "back up pair" in case he scratched his other ones. Could have gotten a good deal on a space aged polymer framed, gravity defying Jetson's type bike if I could have strecthed my stand over a couple of inches, lol.


Well, off to check out my orphaned road bike adoptee candidate. Woot!

I'll put in a plug for Shimano 540's with the addition of a set of Shimano multi-release clips. They seem to offer plenty of float, which is critical for knees, shed mud like nothing, and are a snap to get in and out of. The early advice about saddle height seemed right on. If your saddle is a bit too high, calf cramps can be the result. I don't find it at all strange that you would only experience it on one side. Bilateral symmetry is good in theory, but most bodies don't conform to the ideal.