I did a long ride yesterday with about 6000 ft of climbing. I spent a lot of time standing on the pedals, and one climb in particular had me so redlined that I think I hyperextended one knee a bit -- I was trying to get some burn out of my legs by turning the pedals with body weight. I don't recall it actually happening but I started feeling some soreness in the tendons at the back of my leg, like at the bottom of the hamstring, with about 50 miles left in the ride. It wasn't uncomfortable enough to pay much attention to while on the bike.

The soreness was more noticeable after I got off the bike, and especially today. I'm a little worried about doing anything to make it worse -- not sure if I should be stretching, trying to loosen it up, or just stay off it until it feels better.

I know there are many different types of leg and muscle strains or injuries, but I'm wondering if this scenario sounds familiar to anyone, and what you did (or shouldn't have done) about it.

I know this is a difficult piece of advice for many on this board to follow...rest. Stay off the bike a few days, take some ibuprofin and see if the pain goes away. If it stays the same or gets worse, seek medical advice (not on the internet).

Had the same type of injury but back in High School soccer.
Best remedy is RICE. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.

IIRC I rested about a week in High School.

I seriously doubt you have a hyper extended knee. You would have to be in a serious cycling accident for that to happen. There is practically zero chance of it happening during normal riding.

Hyper extending your knee means you extend it beyond its normal range such as by twisting it past its normal range or bending it back on itself. If you should ever do that, the results are usually torn tendons, ligaments and/or muscles. Athletes that do such a thing are usually curled up in a fetal position on the ground in intense pain. They certainly cannot ride a bicycle for another 50 miles.

You more likely have sore ham strings. Ham strings get used a lot during clipped in riding. They are not used that much during walking and running so they get sore. I find that the faster I spin, the more sore they are the next day. Do some stretches, put heat and ice on it, and give it a rest to recover. Like all muscles, they will get stronger with use so they will be less sore after the next ride.

Thanks, that's good to know ... all I know is that the type of soreness reminds me of when I have (mildly) hyperextended a knee (like when missing the last step on a staircase, say). I thought maybe it was from standing on the pedals with overly straight legs.

Agreed that its not hyper extended, but it could still be a knee issue. Take it easy, RICE, and the next time you ride, if you feel pain STOP.

Also, foam rollers are the magical witch doctors of leg injuries.