SeaBee

Okay, so here's one for you fitness fundi's.

I had a nice long (for me) mtb ride a couple of weekends ago. Towards the end of the ride my quads were gone. They were hands-down the most tired muscle in my entire body. Saturday I went on a ride, but never felt "good" and did not ride well at all. Yesterday I felt good and due to time constraints went for a shorter ride than planned and worked hard up the hills. And my quads were gone again! Now all I can say to that is: "Huh...?!"

Yes, I am obviously as unfit as anybody (it's off-season over here, just starting to train again). But still, I've never ever had my quads "give in" - I never even knew about them before the other day. Esp yesterday - I could not even stand up for my usual attack on the hill up to our house - and that was after cruising in for the last couple of k's having caught another cyclist, stopped for a chat afterwards - I was well rested by the time I arrived at the bottom of that particular hill. Rest of me felt fine, but not the quads.

So what's different all of the sudden? Am I at it too hard after my hibernation? Have I returned with a different pedal-stroke, sub-consiously? Am I doing something else differently? And before the suggestion comes - it's not fit/setup, because (a) my fit is sorted and (b) it was on two different bikes.

Also - where do the quads play a role, maybe that can help me identify what's going on.

Any other ideas?

kuf

I think bracing yourself going over rough terrain uses the quads a lot.

plasticmaam12

It's really quite simple. When you find that you have peaked out your quad usage, switch to the "guads". If you are not familiar with the terminology do a search. Much has been spoken about the guads.

deanp

IMO, too much mashing, you need more spinning.

Metzinger

+1 on guad usage.
I very rarely involve my quads in any activity anymore.

SeaBee

Yeah, may be the case, will verify cadence figures at home. I just rode for the heck of it, enjoying the day out and working against the hills. Did not concentrate on pedaling technique, just wanted to get my bum in the saddle again.

Darn, left my guads at home. Next to my 400W dial...

pmt

And did you go see your massage therapist? Getting regular massage is crucial to becoming a better and stronger cyclist.