View Poll Results: How far can you reach up your left leg with your left hand?
middle of my shin
5
3.55%
lower half of my shin
12
8.51%
ankle
10
7.09%
tip of toes
37
26.24%
middle of foot
14
9.93%
beyond my foot
63
44.68%
Voters: 141. You may not vote on this poll
Flexibility
12-21-05 | 11:02 AM
#76
still fuzzy
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: hoosier
Bikes: Nova
Originally Posted by EURO
After the length of your legs, this is the most important factor in bicycle fit.
It really is amazing that so few people know this. I think it's also probably the reason so many road cyclists complain of upper-body discomfort (hands, wrists, neck, shoulders, back etc).
Here's someone with average flexibility for a pro cyclist.
If you can do that, then you can have a seat tip to bar drop around 3 inches. If not, you're asking for some serious discomfort.
It really is amazing that so few people know this. I think it's also probably the reason so many road cyclists complain of upper-body discomfort (hands, wrists, neck, shoulders, back etc).
Here's someone with average flexibility for a pro cyclist.
If you can do that, then you can have a seat tip to bar drop around 3 inches. If not, you're asking for some serious discomfort.
My computer for some reason won't download this picture--If it's not too hard, can somebody please describe the position for me?
Now, cold, and out of season, I can get about 15 inches past my toes. I can kiss my kneecap easily.
See, I have to know what this guy is doing in the picture, and see if I can do it.
I season after a ride, I can just about touch my elbow to my toes. It hurts, though.
12-21-05 | 11:17 AM
#77
contrarian
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: CO Springs
Bikes: 80's ross road bike/commuter, 80's team miyata, 90's haro mtb xtracycle conversion, koga mitaya world traveler
Shouldn't the title be "How far can you reach down your left leg with your left hand?
I can move this to training , if ya'll like.
I can move this to training , if ya'll like.
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Higher ground for the apocalypse!
12-21-05 | 12:51 PM
#78
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Gilmour lugged steel, Bianchi Volpe, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket
Originally Posted by mrt10x
I posted this on another thread once, but here goes. I broke my back, well three vertebrate, about 15 years ago in a rock-climbing fall (45 feet). Being in the Marines I had access to some decent medical help and within 6 months I was back running and doing most of the things I loved. Except beach volleyball, too much unexpected foot slippage, and road cycling, too much time locked in one position. No biggie, I was getting into Mt Biking anyway. Well the pain came and went for about 6 years until finally it got so bad, and the MRI's showed a couple of bulging disks, the docs said time for surgery. Before the Navy would cut me open they made me go through 6 months of physical therapy again. Part of that therapy was base on this book Stretching . Basically 15-20 minutes of stretching, three times a day, 1st thing in the morning, lunch, and right before bed. Well miracle of miracles, back pain went away, despite the disks, and has stayed away for 7 years. I got back on the road bike a year ago and I love it. Whole point of the above diatribe? Buy the book, it has cycling specific stretches in it, stretch before you sleep and right when you wake up.. You will be AMAZED at the difference it makes.
also - when I am feeling pain or fatigue during a ride, I will often stop, stretch and feel like a new man.
12-21-05 | 01:17 PM
#79
In Real Life
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 52,159
Likes: 773
From: Down under down under
Bikes: Lots
Originally Posted by mrt10x
Part of that therapy was base on this book Stretching . Basically 15-20 minutes of stretching, three times a day, 1st thing in the morning, lunch, and right before bed. Well miracle of miracles, back pain went away, despite the disks, and has stayed away for 7 years. I got back on the road bike a year ago and I love it. Whole point of the above diatribe? Buy the book, it has cycling specific stretches in it, stretch before you sleep and right when you wake up.. You will be AMAZED at the difference it makes.
Hmmmmm ... I might have to do that!! I'm also planning to sign up for a yoga class this coming January which might help matters too.
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Photo Gallery
12-22-05 | 02:04 AM
#80
Well, as promised, I made a personal commitment to begin stretching. I decided to videotape my first after-ride stretching session. I know I look pretty feminine for a male, but I'd be interested in comments as to whether my stretching program will yield results. As I said, I'm pretty inflexible. Here's the LINK. 
12-22-05 | 10:59 AM
#81
...need...more...power...
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: A place where we ride in the winter!
Originally Posted by BeeTL
The "yeah" was sarcasm, it's not EURO in the first pic...it's Joe Redner.
Didn't he come out of the closet? To win a lawsuit against the county?
12-22-05 | 11:10 AM
#82
Originally Posted by Red is Faster!
Joe looks far older. Plus he would have two hotties on either side.
Didn't he come out of the closet? To win a lawsuit against the county?
Didn't he come out of the closet? To win a lawsuit against the county?
12-22-05 | 12:48 PM
#83
Fair do's. But if your bike's a custom job, and you're not going to drop the bars at any stage in the future then why didn't you spec a longer head tube? Looks nicer IMO.
2. I'll be time trialing on this bike, and I'd like to drop the bars for that.
12-23-05 | 08:19 AM
#84
Guest
Posts: n/a
One of my goals this year is to increase flexibility- so I will begin taking yoga classes again at my fitness clubs where I work. I have big plans with regards to fitness this year, and flexibility is one of those fitness components I plan to make major strides with in the coming months.
Koffee
Koffee
12-23-05 | 08:27 AM
#85
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by mrt10x
I posted this on another thread once, but here goes. I broke my back, well three vertebrate, about 15 years ago in a rock-climbing fall (45 feet). Being in the Marines I had access to some decent medical help and within 6 months I was back running and doing most of the things I loved. Except beach volleyball, too much unexpected foot slippage, and road cycling, too much time locked in one position. No biggie, I was getting into Mt Biking anyway. Well the pain came and went for about 6 years until finally it got so bad, and the MRI's showed a couple of bulging disks, the docs said time for surgery. Before the Navy would cut me open they made me go through 6 months of physical therapy again. Part of that therapy was base on this book Stretching . Basically 15-20 minutes of stretching, three times a day, 1st thing in the morning, lunch, and right before bed. Well miracle of miracles, back pain went away, despite the disks, and has stayed away for 7 years. I got back on the road bike a year ago and I love it. Whole point of the above diatribe? Buy the book, it has cycling specific stretches in it, stretch before you sleep and right when you wake up.. You will be AMAZED at the difference it makes.
Koffee
12-23-05 | 08:38 AM
#86
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
I tore my ham string two years ago in the gym doing leg presses (off season). The physical therapist placed the blame squarely on not stretching.
The PT said you need to stretch AFTER exercise moreso than before; exercise causes muscles to remain slightly contracted (tight) and stretching causes them to relax again. Now I stretch after every ride. In the gym I warm up, do a light stretch, lift weights, then do a full stretch.
Rob
The PT said you need to stretch AFTER exercise moreso than before; exercise causes muscles to remain slightly contracted (tight) and stretching causes them to relax again. Now I stretch after every ride. In the gym I warm up, do a light stretch, lift weights, then do a full stretch.
Rob
