Frankgt2

Hello, I just need some help to know some things.

First of all I just rode 104 miles, I was taking lead on the pack and rode 30 miles at a pace of 25 mph, some times increased to 28 and other times reduced to 20 depending on the uphills but mostly it was flat. So when finishing the century I got 2 cramps, and then at a day, when I just try to strech my leg it hurts a bit at the back of the leg, at the back of the knee. I dont feel soreness, just that place on both legs. My question is, when cyclists goes through this, do they progress in training? Is this muscle damage and will reduce overall strenght? Sorry for my English

kayakdiver

Being sore and cramping are common... Pain is something wrong that needs to be addressed before damage is done. A fitting comes to mind or a tweaking of a fitting.

ptle

Yeah that's common. Try getting more liquids or electrolytes to prevent cramping. Being sore after a long or hard ride is normal. If you search around the forums, you can find some things to help. Such as soaking in Epsom Salt or elevating your legs for 15 minutes. More importantly, make sure you get some solid foods or at least a protein shake as soon as you get off the bike. I notice I feel much better the next day if I eat right after a ride instead of waiting an hour or not eating at all.

MegaTom

I wish I could eat solids right after a century. It's hard enough to force myself to eat before and during. Food & exercise do not mix well for me, and I have had projectile vomit from the saddle on more than one occasion (though I am at least smart enough to stop and unclip a foot before doing so).

hao

Dude, your post is more coherent than most of the crap on this forum.

dstrong 

Do you usually ride those distances at that speed? I don't think I could walk the next day after that kind of effort. Give your legs a couple of days to recover, ride again and see if you get the same pain.

Caracalla.

pulling for 30 miles at 25-28mph? hmmm

DXchulo

Is it knee pain or muscle soreness? You say, "at the back of the leg, at the back of the knee." If you're talking about your calves being sore, that would make sense if your calves were cramping up during the ride. Just give yourself a day or two to recover and you will come back stronger. Pay more attention to replenishing electrolytes next time.

If you're having knee pain that's something to worry about and it could be a sign of some fit issues (your saddle may be too high or too far back). Knee pain isn't exactly something you want to be tough with and push through. You want to figure out the cause and fix it ASAP.

Accordion

I know a guy who used to be on this forum whose name rhymes with Bumd that would probably have a couple questions about this statement too....

Bob Ross

While skepticism -- especially on an internet forum (and perhaps most especially on BF!) -- is understandable, I'll point out that there are at least three guys in my recreational (yes, recreational) cycle club who do this exact sort of thing with alarming regularity. Seen it first hand, been in the paceline when they were doing it (and was really freakin' glad they didn't pull off and expect me to continue). They're freakin' animals, yes, but they're not fictional/mythical/hyperbole.

There is always someone faster than you. Always. Get used to it.

rkwaki

I'm throwing up the question mark on this one. If you are pulling at that pace I would expect that this is not your first year of training therefore should not be asking newb type questions. Just my opinion of course.

ne_dan

You sure you don't mean KPH.

rouleour

I think he meant taking pulls, not actually pulling for 30 miles.

rouleour

Grumpy McTrumpy

or perhaps confusing MPH with KPH

I wonder about someone who has the kind of strength and development to not only ride into the wind at those speeds, but do so for over an hour asking questions which seem terribly noobish.

FogVilleLad

Pain is a signal to stop what you're doing.

Was this the first time that you took such long pulls at that speed?

hao

OP didn't say anything about wind.

Grumpy McTrumpy

pull = ride into the wind.

Velo Vol 

Do they ask you why they get muscle cramps?

Caymem

Turn pro immediately

rkwaki

I did a fund raising century in the spring and pulled our group of 8-10 riders for the majority of the first 75 miles (about 70 of them) then ended up dropping them to finish on my own with an average speed of 23.* mph - remembering I have raced a little I look at the claims of others in this thread and question how valid their claims are that's all.

DScott

The kid's like 16, which would explain alot. Too bad so many others here don't have that same excuse.

Bob Ross

Point taken; these guys mostly ask me why I'm such a wuss. And where to get a beer around here.

dnuzzomueller

I am trying to imagine doing 20MPH up a hill....depends on the hill of course, but that is slightly unbelievable.

Accordion

Yeah it can be done of course...I do it on a rolling canyon ride....I climb at like 11mph for a few minutes and then I'm downhill at 37mph and then roll up the next hill in my largest gear combination at 20mph+ and then down the next hill...so technically I'm going uphill at 20mph+ but in reality it's all momentum, baby...