Abe_Froman

I'm no roadie...I'm a commuter mostly. But...over the summer I went on a road ride with a club here. Kept up, but noticed a calf strain, or what felt like a calf strain the next day. Very tight, right at the top of the calf, just below the knee, inner portion.

Is this a common issue with higher speed riding? It is still bothering me, 4+ months later. It goes away, and then comes back when I either ramp up mileage or ride harder.

TimothyH

With all due respect Abe, I doubt a physician would tell you anything more than "Yes, it can happen" and then suggest you make an appointment at his office. It would be reckless to dispense any other advice.

At the end of the day doctors do this for a living and few work for free. "Calling all doctors" is like "Calling all plumbers" and expecting plumbers to diagnose your plumbing problems.

I get asked computer questions all the time. Putting aside for a moment the fact that I specialize in million dollar storage arrays and virtualization, at a certain point it gets out of hand and people think I'm going to fix their equipment for free. Sorry but this is how I feed my family. I do help out a few elderly ladies at Church though.


-Tim-

Dan333SP

You're also the Sausage King of Chicago, if I understand correctly.

Seattle Forrest

Have you ever had a bike fit?

TimothyH

A) You can never go to far.
B) If I'm gonna get busted it is not going to be by a guy like that.

- Abe

Abe_Froman

Haha, I was being facetious with the doctor thing You roadies have no sense of humor! I was specifically looking for a bikers perspective on this leg issue. Probably more helpful than a paid doctors visit anyway.


P.S. How much R.A.M. should I have?

Sorry, couldnt resist lol

MinnMan

I spent nearly half a year trying to figure out the source of what seemed to be an upper calf strain that started hurting just after a ride on a poorly fitted rented bike and then wouldn't go away.

Turns out it was a Baker's cyst- origin unrelated to cycling - but it just happened to express itself first when it got aggravated that day.

What you have? It could be anything.

Abe_Froman

Good catch on the sausage king

No, I haven't had a bike fit. However...my bike is immensely comfortable. Not saying that couldn't be the issue...it's just, I've done centuries on this bike, and numerous 40+ mile rides and never had an ongoing issue like this before.

BenPS

Maybe you just weren't meant to try to hang with the roadies. Better accept defeat, roll your pant leg back up and attach your little reflective strap, and get back to commuting

Camilo

Spend $80 and go see a physical therapist who has some understanding of cycling, or at least has a background or interest in active sports. He or she will be able to do a thorough assessment and history and probably give you a strengthening and stretching regimen that will solve the problem. Or will learn enough about your condition to refer you as needed.

Abe_Froman

That actually is one of the takeaways I got from it lol! I hung with them just fine...but definitely not my thing. Sold the road bike a month later.

10 Wheels

You need to rule out Cancer.
Had a friend die from leg bone cancer.



Miss you Ralph

Abe_Froman

Sorry to hear that. I'm fairly certain it's not bone cancer though...it's definitely in the squishy bits.

10 Wheels

His started in the squishy part.

Abe_Froman

Now you're making me paranoid.

10 Wheels

Doctors removed the leg but it had spread everywhere.

Scarbo

Amen to that, brother.

Anyway, might your saddle be positioned a bit too high? I know that you said you thought you had your riding position dialed in, but our bodies/physical requirements can change over time. It might be impacting just one leg. Just a thought. Good luck.

Abe_Froman

It could be. The issue developed on a different bike that I had not dialed in the seat height on yet...I sold it off though months ago and am back on my regular commuter. I suppose it COULD be on the high side...but certainly no more than a centimeter or so. Lowering any more than that and I would be concerned about kneecap pain.

MinnMan

a centimeter is a lot.

Abe_Froman

Really? Hrmm. Maybe seat height is off then

Seattle Forrest

Yeah, a cm can be a lot when it comes to fit, and a seemingly small issue can "add up" on longer or more intense rides. That's not a smoking gun but definitely points to some kind of fit problem.

What kind of pedals and shoes?

Abe_Froman

platform pedals. My fixed gear has clips but I don't put as many miles on that bike. sandals in summer, converse or hiking boots later in year.

Seattle Forrest

A very long time ago, I was riding platform pedals with toe grips, I rode like that for years, and out of the blue I got this awful pain behind my knee after a long ride. It went away after a few days, but showed up again after the next long ride I did. It was confusing because nothing about the bike had changed. It's as if my riding position had changed and I was getting some kind of repetitive stress injury. I went out and got clipless pedals with hold my foot in place, in exactly the right place, and never experienced that pain again.

Abe_Froman

I'll try bumping my seat down half a CM...see if that helps. I'd really rather not do clipless if I don't have to.

DaveQ24

About 3 years ago, on a beautiful late spring day, I was riding along a MUP lined with wildflowers around a local lake. Suddenly, I got the worst, stinging pain in the front of my left kneecap.

It was a little better AFTER I removed the enormous, PO'd bumble bee, but not much ...