smack1765

So just got the new fixed gear about two weeks ago, never ridden one before, decided to take it out for a ride. After I got the basics of riding the thing down I tried doing some skip stops, after a little bit got that down. Felt really cool to be able to do that, so i did it ALOT.

Anyway my question was in regards to the leg soreness I experienced after, which was immense to say the least. I didn't even want to try the skip stops again for another week. Couldnt even bring my forward leg up to my waste off the bike.

Is this normal given that they are probably muscles I have never really worked while cycling? If it isnt normal, any suggestions on how to fix it?

ianjk

First off, use a brake and build your skills up. You are risking damage by repeatedly stressing muscles/tendons/etc that are not conditioned, this goes for pretty much any activity, running, biking, climbing, etc.

Totaled108

I got that too. Though I only skid/skip stopped a few times. I was away from the bike for a week after that first day (vacation). Do as ianjk said, work into is slowly, your knees and hips will thank you. My butt muscles are a little sore now, the inner leg muscles were sore after the first skidding day. Stretch after warming up, that will help as well. You're just using muscles that you never really use to that intensity otherwise.

archaic

Went away in a few days for me, its working new muscles, so think about how you feel after the gym.

WoundedKnee

Also try to learn with both legs.

PedallingATX

skid and skip stops are bad for your knees. I have done it a lot and would say that my legs have gotten used to this activity, but I still get a lot of pain whenever I skid excessively. Best bet is to put a brake on your bike.

icyclist 

"Is this normal given that they are probably muscles I have never really worked while cycling? "

Yes, this is normal.

xanax

I am experiencing the same exact thing as OP, new to fixed riding, skidded like a madman, then great leg soreness, especially when lifting leg up...
90% of the pain is in my dominant right leg. will try stretching and skid more progressively. while researching cycling pain problems, most solutions seemed to indicate proper bike fit, mainly saddle height. mine is pretty slammed down, could this have to do with this, or is skid leg soreness a whole different issue ?? i've never really experienced discomfort while riding fixed before trying to skid..

ianjk

You answered your own question.

Scrodzilla

..

LoRoK

Get yourself all the way Nutz-2-Stem, get that weight up there, don't be skurred. Then all you have to do is lock your back leg, with very very little effort. No more soreness. Of course, this won't do crap for stopping, but that's not the point of skidding.

elTwitcho

Yeah but skidding nuts to stem looks silly

cnnrmccloskey

Everyone looks silly when their learning skids, you either look silly being nuts to the stem or you look silly failing

Brian

I thought this was the best post, then I saw this one:

sharpsandflatts

I had this problem when learning to skid too. I got over it by starting off skidding balls to stem then slowly moving my weight back over time as my legs got stronger. You end up ****ing yourself up by trying those from-the-saddle skids before your legs have built enough muscle to handle it.

Scrodzilla

Glad I could come through for you, Papa Het!

LoRoK

I dunno, when you really, really get out there, it looks pretty bad-ass imo.

cnnrmccloskey

New cycling goal of the year

Brian

Papa Het? I suppose that's better than Jimbo.

das_pyrate

Breaks

Scrodzilla

Hetfield has a tattoo that says 'Papa Het'.

Scrodzilla

Brakes?

kubrick215

yes, breaks!

Brian

Kurtis Blow?

kubrick215

the real deal...