What's the danger of cranking up hills on a really tall gears?
08-19-19, 05:05 PM
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I've had chrondomalia for 4 decades. I also love riding fix gear. Now, on two of them, I have extra cogs and can change gears but it requires 2-5 minute stops. And I only have the gears I brought. Yesterday I rode the Portland Century. Several real but not huge climbs early, then very gradual uphill (with bumps) , then a fairly hard hill to 1000' elevation. Nice several mile pretty fast downhill, a tough climb, then nearly 20 miles of gradual down.
I left on a 43-17 and brought: 13,16 and 23. Rode the 17 to the fairly hard hill which I did on the 22. At the top, I swapped the 22 for the 13 and rode it the full 20 miles, but I broke every "knee rule"in the book climbing that tough climb in that big gear. (43-13 is 89 gear inches or 50% higher than the OP's low gear.) My knees felt is but no pain I rode with really warm knee warmers, did hamstring stretches at the rest stops and, I took two regular aspirin last night. Today? I can feel them, they did a lot! but with a little care they'll be just fine.
The caveat - I have to listen to my knees. They will tell me what is and isn't OK. They can still do a lot. But I have also bailed on rides, or modified those rides a lot based just on the feedback they've given me. This evening I'll ride in town and back, 20 miles but I will not do it fix gear.
Ben
I left on a 43-17 and brought: 13,16 and 23. Rode the 17 to the fairly hard hill which I did on the 22. At the top, I swapped the 22 for the 13 and rode it the full 20 miles, but I broke every "knee rule"in the book climbing that tough climb in that big gear. (43-13 is 89 gear inches or 50% higher than the OP's low gear.) My knees felt is but no pain I rode with really warm knee warmers, did hamstring stretches at the rest stops and, I took two regular aspirin last night. Today? I can feel them, they did a lot! but with a little care they'll be just fine.
The caveat - I have to listen to my knees. They will tell me what is and isn't OK. They can still do a lot. But I have also bailed on rides, or modified those rides a lot based just on the feedback they've given me. This evening I'll ride in town and back, 20 miles but I will not do it fix gear.
Ben
08-19-19, 05:12 PM
#27
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08-19-19, 05:14 PM
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"What's the danger of cranking up hills on a really tall gears?"
Your buddies may get jealous because you're too much man.
Jealousy can be dangerous.
Your buddies may get jealous because you're too much man.
Jealousy can be dangerous.
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08-19-19, 05:17 PM
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Oh gawd no! Better to ask a buncha old farts and get a buncha opinions!
Keeping it real, though, I'm not sure that most doctors know that much about bicycle related sports injuries, and the wisdom of elders can be applied. Earlier this year my achilles tendon on one leg was getting sore from riding. @northbend told me to drop my saddle height a bit early in the season, I needed to get some miles in before stretching it back out. I did, the pain went away, and several weeks later inched it back up to the normal height. Doubt if there are many non-biking doctors that would have given me that advice.
Keeping it real, though, I'm not sure that most doctors know that much about bicycle related sports injuries, and the wisdom of elders can be applied. Earlier this year my achilles tendon on one leg was getting sore from riding. @northbend told me to drop my saddle height a bit early in the season, I needed to get some miles in before stretching it back out. I did, the pain went away, and several weeks later inched it back up to the normal height. Doubt if there are many non-biking doctors that would have given me that advice.
So, gugie, some of us get lucky. (Oh, that doctor was a newbie racer so he understood cycling far more than the runners' only docs of the era.)
Ben
08-19-19, 05:18 PM
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Someday, it may turn out that cycling is actually good for the knees. I know it helps my back when I've injured it. Any kind of pain I feel from hard physical labor goes away when I do a ride. Really loosens me right up.
08-19-19, 05:21 PM
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When my chrondomalcia patellae (CP) showed up I got a gift. Dropped out of the first race of the season 3 days later. Race promoter introduced my to an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who diagnosed me (fully dressed, two layers of leggings in a sub 40 degree van in New Hampshire mid-March). He told me what I had, that is was lifelong but that I could still race and ride as long as I played by certain rules. Told me stuff (this was 1978) that I was not going to see in one place for 20 years. (Search chrondomalcia patellae on this site. I wrote a piece years ago of my experiences and what that doctor told me and have posted it on Bike Forums many times.
So, gugie, some of us get lucky. (Oh, that doctor was a newbie racer so he understood cycling far more than the runners' only docs of the era.)
Ben
So, gugie, some of us get lucky. (Oh, that doctor was a newbie racer so he understood cycling far more than the runners' only docs of the era.)
Ben
So maybe I'll take some advise of people who have been riding for decades over a random doctor. If that doesn't work, I'll find a specialist.
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08-19-19, 05:35 PM
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08-19-19, 05:36 PM
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I'm going to ignore what my doctor said about my 214 bpm average heart rate on Thunder Ridge's climb.
(I was actually ignoring it, anyway.)
I mean, hey, it flattened out at 187 for the day's average.
08-19-19, 05:47 PM
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I guess my point is I don't need to see my doctor about every little ache and pain I have when after 4 decades of riding I pretty much know what's aching and why.
Well, except that achilles thing, which Matt diagnosed for me. And had it not gone away quickly, my next step was a specialist.
Because I've never seen a doctor that rode bikes (my experience), at least anywhere near the mileage I do, which ain't really that much.
Well, except that achilles thing, which Matt diagnosed for me. And had it not gone away quickly, my next step was a specialist.
Because I've never seen a doctor that rode bikes (my experience), at least anywhere near the mileage I do, which ain't really that much.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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08-19-19, 05:54 PM
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I guess my point is I don't need to see my doctor about every little ache and pain I have when after 4 decades of riding I pretty much know what's aching and why.
Well, except that achilles thing, which Matt diagnosed for me. And had it not gone away quickly, my next step was a specialist.
Because I've never seen a doctor that rode bikes (my experience), at least anywhere near the mileage I do, which ain't really that much.
Well, except that achilles thing, which Matt diagnosed for me. And had it not gone away quickly, my next step was a specialist.
Because I've never seen a doctor that rode bikes (my experience), at least anywhere near the mileage I do, which ain't really that much.
But if there is a persistent pain (like my lower back), I'm off to see the pt asap.
08-19-19, 05:57 PM
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Achilles are not to be trifled with. My brother-in-law ended up having both of them replaced by big toe tendons, after taking up cycling in his late 50's. The doctor told him it was completely due to his riding. Cleat position, seat post height, type of shoes, it all matters. For him, no more cycling. Ever.
Some of the best advice about running injuries and achilles tendons is available from coaches. I ran many a mile in combat boots with a small wedge of rubber at the heel, to get over the achilles inflammation and not lose conditioning. Cortisone injections helped but all my food tasted like copper.
But do not ask me about your achilles.
I don't want to give bad advice and be there when you go down like you were pole-axed.
Some of the best advice about running injuries and achilles tendons is available from coaches. I ran many a mile in combat boots with a small wedge of rubber at the heel, to get over the achilles inflammation and not lose conditioning. Cortisone injections helped but all my food tasted like copper.
But do not ask me about your achilles.
I don't want to give bad advice and be there when you go down like you were pole-axed.
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08-19-19, 06:02 PM
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I have a pinched nerve in my neck. Doctor sent me to PT.
Hernia surgery (alright, doc hacked into me first, but then sent me to PT)
So, unless I need to go under the knife, I think I'll just short circuit the process and go directly to PT. Saves time and money!
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
08-19-19, 06:25 PM
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I have sciatica in my left hip. Doctor sent me to PT.
I have a pinched nerve in my neck. Doctor sent me to PT.
Hernia surgery (alright, doc hacked into me first, but then sent me to PT)
So, unless I need to go under the knife, I think I'll just short circuit the process and go directly to PT. Saves time and money!
I have a pinched nerve in my neck. Doctor sent me to PT.
Hernia surgery (alright, doc hacked into me first, but then sent me to PT)
So, unless I need to go under the knife, I think I'll just short circuit the process and go directly to PT. Saves time and money!
08-19-19, 09:05 PM
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Just in tonight from riding a 45 year old bike, 18 lbs. and 18 speeds (all available), gear inch range from a comical 20 to 112. Its sometimes nice to not think about sufferfest climbamama.
08-19-19, 09:25 PM
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I guess my point is I don't need to see my doctor about every little ache and pain I have when after 4 decades of riding I pretty much know what's aching and why.
Well, except that achilles thing, which Matt diagnosed for me. And had it not gone away quickly, my next step was a specialist.
Because I've never seen a doctor that rode bikes (my experience), at least anywhere near the mileage I do, which ain't really that much.
Well, except that achilles thing, which Matt diagnosed for me. And had it not gone away quickly, my next step was a specialist.
Because I've never seen a doctor that rode bikes (my experience), at least anywhere near the mileage I do, which ain't really that much.
Bike rider, former Ironman competitor, and his daughter is a Type 1 diabetic (like me). My visits with him were half "what ails you" and half "what's happening in Le Tour".
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08-19-19, 10:16 PM
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08-19-19, 10:41 PM
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Technically, a doc has to write a script for pt. $20 copay for my gp, then the pt is entirely covered. And my pt and partners have a permanent residence at my place of work. We also have a pa there too who could write the script, but she can't get me the prince valium like my gp. 1 trip, 2 scripts and I'm feeling fine.
08-19-19, 11:00 PM
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you guys should consider something like kratom and some good fascia therapy.....haha
08-20-19, 05:20 AM
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I cant ride anything like you guys do but i discovered a slow climbing method that works for me. I have my seat quite high and my back nearly upright. At the bottom of the pedal stroke my leg is virtually straight. I have high portuer bars and pull up on them as i push down on the pedals. I can use taller gears than i would other wise use by using this method and feel little or no stress on the knees. Its probably super slow compared to you guys and i am sure i look like i belong in the wizard of oz but it feels great. Just thought I'd share.
08-20-19, 06:33 AM
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I've had chrondomalia for 4 decades. I also love riding fix gear. Now, on two of them, I have extra cogs and can change gears but it requires 2-5 minute stops. And I only have the gears I brought. Yesterday I rode the Portland Century. Several real but not huge climbs early, then very gradual uphill (with bumps) , then a fairly hard hill to 1000' elevation. Nice several mile pretty fast downhill, a tough climb, then nearly 20 miles of gradual down.
I left on a 43-17 and brought: 13,16 and 23. Rode the 17 to the fairly hard hill which I did on the 22. At the top, I swapped the 22 for the 13 and rode it the full 20 miles, but I broke every "knee rule"in the book climbing that tough climb in that big gear. (43-13 is 89 gear inches or 50% higher than the OP's low gear.) My knees felt is but no pain I rode with really warm knee warmers, did hamstring stretches at the rest stops and, I took two regular aspirin last night. Today? I can feel them, they did a lot! but with a little care they'll be just fine.
The caveat - I have to listen to my knees. They will tell me what is and isn't OK. They can still do a lot. But I have also bailed on rides, or modified those rides a lot based just on the feedback they've given me. This evening I'll ride in town and back, 20 miles but I will not do it fix gear.
Ben
I left on a 43-17 and brought: 13,16 and 23. Rode the 17 to the fairly hard hill which I did on the 22. At the top, I swapped the 22 for the 13 and rode it the full 20 miles, but I broke every "knee rule"in the book climbing that tough climb in that big gear. (43-13 is 89 gear inches or 50% higher than the OP's low gear.) My knees felt is but no pain I rode with really warm knee warmers, did hamstring stretches at the rest stops and, I took two regular aspirin last night. Today? I can feel them, they did a lot! but with a little care they'll be just fine.
The caveat - I have to listen to my knees. They will tell me what is and isn't OK. They can still do a lot. But I have also bailed on rides, or modified those rides a lot based just on the feedback they've given me. This evening I'll ride in town and back, 20 miles but I will not do it fix gear.
Ben
I would have needed a geared bike for that kind of ride but do love riding my single speeds on the mostly flat DFW rides.
Guess those coq swaps are just good times for a rest stop anyways
Did you do it fixed or free or both ??
08-20-19, 06:37 AM
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