I've been absent from these forums for about half a year now. I met my first (I'm sure it won't be my last) physical challenge that kept me off the bike for much longer than I want. I was finally diagnosed with Iliotibial Band Syndrome. It was virtually impossible to ride. Climbing stairs was quite painful, and walking more than 100 yards was a challenge. I was so down about this sudden change in ability, that I couldn't even think about bikes or anything to do with them. As those around me said, I was in a funk. Today, however, was the first day where I rode without any pain. I'm eager for tomorrow morning to see if I'm pain free. (I really think I will be.). And, I'm feeling like there is hope for cycling again. For those who have recovered from much more serious conditions to continue riding, you have my admiration and respect.

Welcome back, best wishes, and thanks for the post.

Welcome back. I know a little bit of what you've been through - I've had injuries and other problems that have kept me off the bike for similar periods of time. "normal" (i.e., non-riders) in my life have no idea how much injury this does to my spirits. When I haven't been able to ride and haven't even been sure if I could ever come back to riding, I haven't been able to read this forum - it's just too psychically painful.

I truly hope you are on the road to full recovery and have many miles in your near future. Of course, you'll have to take it one ride at a time, and have some patience, but there's nothing like a bike ride to lift one's spirits, even if it's a shadow of the ride you used to do.

Welcome back. Now that you have a ride under your belt the future will look much better. I have had my share of injuries and always missed riding. It helps you to appreciate the times you can ride. I hope your next rides go as well.

NOS, have you tracked down what caused the ITB issue in the first place?

I had it chronically for about a year, and exacerbated it when pushing hard at low cadence (generally while touring, but also on a highly geared road bike).

I also fiddled with the Q on my cranks a little -- using MTB cranks means one side can be further away from the seat tube or centreline than the other. Cleats weren't an issue because I was using Time Atac with generous float. However, I also trimmed away a small section of the sole of my shoe so that I could clip out more easily -- the rubber was fouling the springs in the pedals and I had to use more than usual force to twist out the cleat, and that was a big problem for me late in a 600km randonnee when I almost fell off the bike trying to unclip.

Those changes along with riding at higher cadences, lower gears up hills with loads and using a stretch helped overcome the issue.

I get an occasional twinge, and this more so now I have gone to Shimano pedals (but with the 3-degree float).; I've recently rotated the cleat on one of my new pair of shoes to help solve that twinge.

Its good to see a note from you, hopefully your trouble with the ITB are on the way out. Most of us here can well identify with what you have been dealing with, take it easy to start out and ramp up as you feel best.

Bill

Good for you that your issue had been diagnosed, solution prescribed with actions leading to positive results. Keep on biking.

Welcome back ... again. I don't know which was worse, your untimely "death" or the 6 month absence without knowing.

Glad to hear you're better. I had ITB but milder 10-15 yrs ago. Spent 6 wks doing physical therapy then still did some of the exercises for quite a while after that. Sometimes while stretching my back I can still feel extra tightness. Good luck with your continued recovery.

I had ITB syndrome too a few years ago and it also took me about 6 months to get rid of it entirely. mostly I think, for me, because I didn't get on the foam roller band wagon right away. what do you attribute your recovery to?

back on the bike I would caution to stay away from
cold temps
gearing too high
I forget the 3rd thing sorry, maybe saddle to high?

anyway, take it easy and build up your strength if you haven't been using an indoor trainer

welcome back! have fun!

Welcome back! I didn't know you were gone, because I was gone, too, for about a year and a half or more. Good to see you and hear your optimism. Best of luck!

Oh oh! First we have the Deege coming back and now we have NOS88. There goes the neighborhood. Happy days are here again.

It's a cold, cruel world.

I had almost turned into a lurker on 50+. For better or worse, I may turn back into a regular poster again.

Gosh I hope so! I love your posts...

Welcome back NOS88. I know nothing about the condition, but it sounds like others have overcome it, so here's hoping for a full recovery.

Welcome back young man and hope things are on the mend for you..

I remember my year away from biking due to a bulging disk in my neck; and like you and MinMann, when I didn't know if I'd be able to return, I couldn't bear to read bikeforums.net. Welcome back, with prayers for your ongoing recovery.

Ah, tenacity! Welcome back, sir!

Yes, we know that initial injury was an overstretching of the ITB during a misstep and knee twisting event. It was misdiagnosed & the physical therapy actually made it worse. However, that did lead to a more accurate diagnosis. It seems that over developed quads contribute to the gluteus medius and minimus being under used. This then creates a higher risk for ITB syndrome. So, I'm working on exercises to (as my son says) strengthen my a$$.

Perhaps I should adopt the name Phoenix

Given I was dealing with an overstretched band, the foam rollers turned out to actually make the situation worse. So, as mentioned above, I worked on the ole a$$. Actually it turns out the moderate hiking with a backpack is an easy way to engage these muscles. So, I took progressively longer, moderately paced, walks with a backpack.


Oh, yes, and a big thanks for all the well wishes. They truly are appreciated.

Hmmmm. I see potential for a recumbent bicycle in your future.

Welcome back - exercise sure doesn't get any easier with age. Keep up the good work, and start getting some miles....

Nice to see you NOS. I haven't been as active on the forums lately, still cycling, but not on the forums much until lately.

glad to see you back. know what you mean about the funk after an injury. it seems for your case you know the cause. for benefit of others wishing to learn about this:

Iliotibial band syndrome in runners: innovations in treatment. - PubMed - NCBI

as you say we cyclists need a strong butt!

I just recently started reading and posting again. Good to see some of the old regulars returning.