Excessive Riding?
Thread started by
goosegoose at 10.14.11 - 2:35 pm
Hey all,
Long time no see on these boards. Hope everyone is doing well, I haven't been on here for quite sometime.
I'm writing this to get everyones opinions and asking what I should do in the situation I'm in.
First off, I have been commuting on my bike (fixed w/breaks) to work for almost 2 1/2 years. I've been riding to the Westside (Santa Monica/Venice area)
from Hollywood, Monday - Friday. Sometimes, even farther down South Bay and back. So I average around almost 80-90 (sometimes 100) miles per a week.
I also do an occasional 'MR' ride at night when time permits.
Recently, I've been in a lot of pain lately. My knees have been killing me as of late. It hurts to walk now, and have been currently
limping as of late. This week I've been taking it easy, and not riding, driving and taking the bus to work.
You would think taking a break to rest up and heal would help, but as of today, it's getting worse.
I'm getting worried now because I can feel sharp 'tingly' pain running though my hips and waist.
And now as of today, the same pain is now on my arms and fingers, causing a lot of pain and discomfort.
I researched my symptoms on WebMD and the result came up with something to do with my ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) or even nerve damage.
Has anyone dealt with any of the symptoms from excessive riding? Will time heal the pain I'm in? What can I do
to make the pain go away in my knees and through out my body? I've been taking Tylenol to help temporary with the pain, but comes
back every time.
And yes, I plan on seeing a doctor.
I'd appreciate any advice from you guys.
Thanks,
goosegoose
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I suggest you run a couple days out of the week. There's quite a few muscles that you don't use when you cycle that you employ when you run.
Jazzy Phat Nastee10.14.11 - 2:43 pm
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Ditch the fixed, and get a professional bike fitting if knee pain is the issue. A daily multi vitamin sometimes helps me out as well. Tingly and all the other things; I can't start to guess....
Best of luck bro, sometimes you gotta rest.
TheDude10.14.11 - 2:50 pm
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You ride enough to know that seat height effects knee strain. Perhaps you might want to raise your seat at increments just to test?
Joe Borfo10.14.11 - 3:00 pm
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Get a decent roadbike that fits u properly. I myself developed some back pain from too much polo (tournaments and pickup). Yoga and stretching helped that out dramatically. Stretch yer hamstrings, and look up 'pigeon pose', that's a good one for bikers.
JOKER10.14.11 - 3:08 pm
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goosegoose,
how old are you? if you're older than 30, i'd recommend getting a freewheel
what kind of handlebar do you have? if it's a chopped bar, you need to get a handlebar that allows you to have multiple hand rests, to change up your seating position
it definitely sounds like the fit is wrong, but you have to have someone experienced take a look at it...
tylenol is only going to hide the real issues causing your pain...
you will definitely heal with time...if it's bicycle related!
let's hope it's the damn fixed gear that's causing these tingly pains!
adrian10.14.11 - 3:26 pm
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I feel for you, my friend. I, too, worry as I get up there in age and only hope that the body I have keeps up so I can keep on riding well into my 100s (I've got a ways to go until I get there, but I'm still hoping to be riding then).
I'm not a MD, and I can only speak from personal experience, but proactive measures taken early (like now at or before the first signs of pain) will likely help your situation.
I'd think about body mechanics and proper diet/supplementing (i.e., vitamins, minerals, etc.) For the body mechanics, I'd seek out a good sports chiropractor/kinesiologist. I don't know if you stretch or do yoga, but you likely have some muscle tightness/alignment issues that are making body work in funny ways leading to pain/overuse. Most of us do--the body just does weird things as we age going about our normal lives. A good body mechanic can work on that and straighten things out--as well as give you focused stretches/exercises to keep things in top shape. I found one after a MTB crash fractured a clavicle, and the woman is amazing. She treats a lot of dancers and athletes, and just knows everything about the body as a high performing machine. I'd be happy to pass on her info. She's in Burbank/Toluca Lake, I believe.
And if you're not eating the right stuff, and enough of it, your muscles, bones, joints just aren't getting what the need to stay strong--especially if you do a fair bit of physical exercise, like you say you do. There are holistic practitioners out there that can assess what your specific body's needs are, but short of that, obviously you've got to focus on high quality produce, proteins, complex carbs, and fats--and plenty of them. It's kinda hard to get everything you need with today's monster agri-farming GMO-pesticide-riddled foods, but the right vitamins and minerals are also critically important.
Personally, I'm trying as hard as I can to stay away from the Medical Industrial Complex. While Western medicine is good for some things (trauma, emergency med), it sucks when it comes to holistic whole-body issues and instead looks to make profits from dispensing dangerous drugs with crazy or unknown side effects or questionably necessary surgical procedures. That's a personal rant, but I'd certainly try to do what you can through diet and mechanics before you turn to surgeries and drugs (which your traditional doctor may tell you is the only/best way to go).
And I hate to say this, but your trusty fixed gear steed likely isn't helping. Having the ability to switch gears can alleviate pressure on your knees.
dudeonabike10.14.11 - 3:28 pm
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STRETCH!!!! I use to get really bad knees pains last year aaround this time and I one of my moms NFL buddies told me to stretch. I did wonders for my knees.
OsnapsonJC10.14.11 - 3:36 pm
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Lots of good advice above. I would definitely think about ditching fixed (for a while at least) and playing with seat height.
Also, switch from Tylenol (simply a painkiller) to ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory, which might relieve some of the stress on your knees). This helped me a lot when I had knee problems a while back.
But, yeah, see a doctor.
theroyalacademy10.14.11 - 3:51 pm
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I too suggest a fitting. I had knee issues before a fitting and after the fitting it helped greatly. I paid $160, some would say that is excessive, but it was the best $160 I ever spent in regards to cycling.
Still experience some pain in the knees occasionally. I would suggest you do all of the above extra exercise mentioned. I would also consider giving the bike a break til you heal. I know it sounds tough to give up, but you can do it. It will only be for a couple of weeks. It will also give you a different perspective of other modes of transportation.
sexy10.14.11 - 6:33 pm
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I was a runner for many years, and very competitive (Once winning a marathon). I rode fixed for 30 day a few years ago, and my old runner knees were screaming after a few weeks. I "neutered" the bike, making it a freewheel, and the pain immediately went away.
I assume I am quite a bit older than you, but the past 4 years I have cycled over 7,000 miles a year with no knee discomfort.
We all all unique, but I think if you could switch to a freewheel bike, you might see a quick recovery.
Creative Thing10.14.11 - 7:06 pm
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Goosy!!! <3
I dunno if your pain can be due to the lack of cartridge cushioning between your joints, but along with the ibuprofen i would also take glucosamine... and all the other stuff peeps said :)
Gizzard10.14.11 - 7:53 pm
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If we had a betting pool, I'd take 'gears, drop bars with padding, and fitment' as the best solution.
Twenty two years ago I screwed up my right knee (chondromalacia) on a single 130 mile ride. I've had other joint / connective tissue issues since, but have managed to lead a pretty nice cycling life, averaging 6,000 miles or so a year.
My post pretty much repeats what others have already said:
See a doctor. The fact that you're getting pain in arms _and_ legs suggests that it might something other than an overuse issue. Probably not ACL, very possibly pinching nerves, so…
Get a proper fitment and saddle.
Hopefully you won't need to take the extreme measures I've undertaken:
sold my track bikes (I really miss riding fixed. My knees don't.)
triple chainring and Mtn. bike gearing (I'm usually in the big ring, but if my knee gets even a hint of feeling wonky I spin my way home)
raised stem two inches from racing fitment (took strain off lower back)
10mm shorter stem
4.5mm Specialized gel pads under handlebar tape
suspension fork (never a sore wrist, elbow or shoulder)
Good luck!
bobdotorg10.14.11 - 8:23 pm
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Ditch the fixed gear.
rev106 responding to a
comment by bobdotorg
10.14.11 - 9:31 pm
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Sounds like the onset of Arthritis,
Imflamation causes pain, Try going on a diet and suppliment program that is heavy
in Omega 3's. Fish oil, Almonds, ect.
If you smoke cigs, eat fast food, and drink the cheap stuff, this could also be a contributor to your problem. Also avoid anti inflamitories like Tylenol they promote
joint degeneration.
Dedicated81810.15.11 - 8:49 am
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My knee pain has come from both seat height (too low in my case) and from moving the seat too far forward on the post.
anty10.15.11 - 12:01 pm
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competitivecyclist.com has a fit calculator. a proper fit is key.
tfunk40810.15.11 - 1:06 pm
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I could type a whole story on my injured pain experiences for the below advise that I've been through, but I'll keep it short.
1. Ice your damn knees for 30 minutes after excessive strain on knees.
2. Take a warm bath with Epsom Salt to relax your body tingling muscles.
3. Go at your own pace when exercising. Do not overdue an exercise cause it will lead to permanent damage!
4. Doctors do not give the best advice (unless they are physical-athletic related). Athletic friends (such as coaches, trainers, teammates, cyclists, runners,etc.) who had related injuries give the best and most reliable crazy advise.
If you take up any of these advise, research them before following through. You are your own body and it will naturally cure itself if you let it. Haste and Healthy Recovery man!!
^olsko*jr710.17.11 - 10:55 am
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