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I can't lift my leg up. Is this a good or a bad thing?

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I can't lift my leg up. Is this a good or a bad thing?

Old 08-17-15, 10:24 PM
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I can't lift my leg up. Is this a good or a bad thing?

Last weekend my geared bike was at the LBS for a tune up so I rode my fixie for about 80 km over hilly terrain. It's a 42x16 and my cadence varied from 20 to 170+.

It was a real adventure for someone like me. Until that point I only used my FG occasionally, for commuting to work on a flat 10km route.

I destroyed myself. My muscles (hamstrings more than quads) are so sore that I can barely lift my left leg up.

Is this a good or a bad thing? Will this type of treat make me stronger, or am I just setting myself up for injury? If it helps, I don't feel sore ligaments, just muscles.

Last edited by Pamtivek; 08-17-15 at 10:28 PM.
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Old 08-17-15, 11:10 PM
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You got the rhabdo bro go to the hospital

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Or not Jk, what color is your pee?
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Old 08-18-15, 01:36 AM
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Normal

I mean it feels like it's a good thing but it goes against the common wisdom of high cadence. That's why I'm asking.
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Old 08-18-15, 01:38 AM
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If it's bad the day after, terrible the next, getting better beyond that... you're fine and getting stronger.

If it doesn't get better, or even keeps getting worse, you're screwed
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Old 08-18-15, 01:52 AM
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htfu

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Old 08-18-15, 02:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Ictoanta
If it's bad the day after, terrible the next, getting better beyond that... you're fine and getting stronger.

If it doesn't get better, or even keeps getting worse, you're screwed
It is getting better. 8-)
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Old 08-18-15, 02:56 AM
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Yep. Wait into you get into weightlighting and have a heavy day of skull crushers or other tricep killing workouts.

I've woken up to find it almost impossible to lift my arms up to wash/dry my hair.
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Old 08-18-15, 09:23 AM
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Don't jump in with crazy miles without building up to the miles unless you want to risk injury and suffer needlessly. I'm old, and if you want to be an "old cyclist" use common sense and build endurance as well as intensity over time. Three weeks of building and fourth week recovery is a good model. Then proceed to build again. Saturday I did over 5 hours through rollers and in Texas heat. First Saturday in October I will do a century with about 4500' of elevation but no really hard climbs. The "kids" in their 30s and 40s are amazed when I pass some of them on the hills on a fixed gear. There's no short cut to fitness and speed and attempts to short cut the process usually ends in injury or burnout. Have fun.
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Old 08-19-15, 08:43 PM
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PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE GOTDAMN BODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you aren't in pain that just means you haven't pumped hard enough and you are a "guuurly mahn" according to AHHHHHNULD who is the worlds foremost expert in "paahmping"!

Seriously though don't kill yourself ; )
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Old 08-19-15, 11:53 PM
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how do you spin at 170 rpm?
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Old 08-20-15, 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by street_sweeper
how do you spin at 170 rpm?
...90 mm cranks with titanium hips?
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Old 08-20-15, 08:36 AM
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Eat a TUMS every four hours for two days and drink plenty of fluids. You can hurt yourself. This is your body telling you that you went a little too hard too fast.
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Old 08-20-15, 08:41 AM
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Get an e-bike. Problem solved.
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Old 08-20-15, 09:09 AM
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... 83 gear inches = 42 mph at 170 rpm. That's pretty high gearing, no?
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Old 08-20-15, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by street_sweeper
how do you spin at 170 rpm?
Is that adding power, or passively allowing the hill to spin one's legs?
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Old 08-20-15, 03:20 PM
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If you are a male dog and need to pee, there is likely a problem....

otherwise, muscle pain is a bummer but usually not a huge issue. Joint pain can be more of a long term issue. Like others have said, build up to things.
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Old 08-20-15, 10:08 PM
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Stretch and stay hydrated?
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Old 08-20-15, 10:51 PM
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Go to a spin friendly gearing?
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Old 08-21-15, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by McBTC
... 83 gear inches = 42 mph at 170 rpm. That's pretty high gearing, no?
42x16 is 69 gear inches.

Originally Posted by [URL="https://www.bikeforums.net/members/street_sweeper-333036.html"
street_sweeper[/URL] ]how do you spin at 170 rpm?
by

passively allowing the hill to spin one's legs


(I calculated the rpm afterwards when I saw the top speed from the gps)
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Old 08-21-15, 10:06 AM
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Curious to know how long you were sustaining that top cadence.
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Old 08-21-15, 10:19 AM
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2.83 revolutions per second. Seems fast.
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Old 08-21-15, 10:34 AM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbwngNoHm0
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Old 08-21-15, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by street_sweeper
how do you spin at 170 rpm?
How do you mash at 170 rpm? I find that at those RPMs, all I can do is spin. (I've been close to 50 mph many years ago riding fixed on a 42-17. That is much faster than 170 rpm. Don't believe me? Ride down Joaquin Miller into Oakland, CA from Skyline. Do it without resisting the pedals. But pay up your health and life insurances before you start.)

The OP's gear is 42/16 X 27 = 71 inches. 170 rpm = 32 mph. (A very useful rule of thumb for in-you-head gear calculations like you might do while riding: 42-17 on a normal 700c wheel ~= 67' gear ~= 20 mph and 100 RPM.)

Ben
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Old 08-21-15, 10:57 AM
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Step through frames

But in the past, when I had Hip/Leg troubles I'd lay the bike on the ground, step over it and then pull it up underneath ME.

Last edited by fietsbob; 08-21-15 at 11:00 AM.
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Old 08-21-15, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
How do you mash at 170 rpm? I find that at those RPMs, all I can do is spin. (I've been close to 50 mph many years ago riding fixed on a 42-17. That is much faster than 170 rpm. Don't believe me? Ride down Joaquin Miller into Oakland, CA from Skyline. Do it without resisting the pedals. But pay up your health and life insurances before you start.)

The OP's gear is 42/16 X 27 = 71 inches. 170 rpm = 32 mph. (A very useful rule of thumb for in-you-head gear calculations like you might do while riding: 42-17 on a normal 700c wheel ~= 67' gear ~= 20 mph and 100 RPM.)

Ben
He's got a 69" fixed gear and coasting downhill at more than 34.9 mph he calculates RPMs exceeded 170.
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