Road Cycling - Leg pain

Ok here's the scoop. I've been riding again now for about 5 weeks, trying to get out about 3 or so times a week. I probably average about 14 miles on my rides now. Originally I was experiencing soreness with the muscle that is located above the knee, towards the inner part of my leg. I believe that this is called the vastus medialus muscle. This muscle no longer seems to bother me anymore but now there's another one that is acting up. This pain is coming from an area about 1.5 inches or so above my kneecaps. I don't have the pain during the ride. It seems to come on the second day after the ride and it lasts for maybe two days. It's a kind of burning sensation.

The only thing that I have been doing differently is that I started to standwhile going up a hill on my route. Could this standing up be the cause of this new soreness? Maybe using a tendon or muscle of my leg that I wasn't using on my earlier rides. Is this something to be concerned with or will it go away over time?

It could be that your seat is not high enough. Getting pain just above the knee at the front, can be a symptom of sitting too low. Standing to pedal will usually cause tiredness/strains/pain further up the leg, more in the Quadriceps region, not normally as low down as you describe.

CHEERS.

Mark

Exactly where is the pain? Inner thigh or top?

It could be that your seat is not high enough. Getting pain just above the knee at the front, can be a symptom of sitting too low. Standing to pedal will usually cause tiredness/strains/pain further up the leg, more in the Quadriceps region, not normally as low down as you describe.

CHEERS.

Mark

Thanks Mark. I was wondering if that may be the cause and was concidering raising my seat. How far up should I go at a time?

Exactly where is the pain? Inner thigh or top?

About 1.5 '' above my knees on the top side directly in the center of my leg. I guess it could be where the quad muscle attaches to the tendon that attaches to the knee cap.

I'd say raise it up as high as it'll go before you start rocking side to side while pedaling and/or get uncomfortable, and then work it down to the height that works best.

Thanks Mark. I was wondering if that may be the cause and was concidering raising my seat. How far up should I go at a time?

It's the seat. If mine is too low, my knee clicks...

Thanks Mark. I was wondering if that may be the cause and was concidering raising my seat. How far up should I go at a time?

The old standard rule of thumb. When sitting on the bike with your riding shoes on, and the crank at the 12/6 O' Clock position, put your HEEL (not toes) on the lower pedal. With the leg in this position, it should be comfortably straight but not over stretched. If it is bent, then raise or lower the seat until it is straight. This is a good starting point, then move it, 2-5mm at a time to refine the position. Place a level on the saddle to keep it flat, if it dips too far forward this creates extra stress on the wrists. If it dips too far back it can create problems for your bum. Hope this helps.

CHEERS.

Mark