ACTIVATEnow

When you guys first starting cycling did your legs bruise like a peach? I just started this past Wednesday and have been commuting to and from school, to restaurants, basically biking everywhere I go. After a few days, I noticed my leg has many and I mean many bruises. I'm thinking it's probably just muscle stretching, but not sure. Anyone else have bruising problem when they first started? At first I initially thought my bruises came from my first cramped leg --> which I fell off my bike, but more and more bruises became visible as I rode more. So... hopefully it is not just me.

StanSeven

Bruises and leg cramps together may indicate something serious. Better get it checked out. I've been cycling and running for many, many years and I've never heard of cycling causing bruises like that.

kenji666

That doesn't sound "normal". Get thee to a doctor.

J.C. Koto

No, bruising is not normal at all. +3 for seeing a doctor.

ACTIVATEnow

dang it, okay thank you. I get it checked. I knew something was wrong.

JanMM

You FELL off your bike? Which could explain bruising. Or, you FELT the cramps when you got off your bike?
Which wouldn't explain bruises.

ThermionicScott 

Could you throw us a bone and tell us where the bruises are? Inner thighs would indicate that the saddle could be too narrow, bruises where you hit the ground would make sense, but if they're in random locations then you need to see a doctor.

ACTIVATEnow

Hmm, well sorry for the low amount of information to start with:

1. when I cramped and fell off, I fell on my left leg and my bike landed on me. My left leg has about 2-3 bruises, i would say from the fall. 1 bruise on my left leg is located near my knee, the rest probably from the fall. Then there are bruises under my left foot and on my knee.
2. my right leg has some bruises I am not sure about. I would say that the bruise closes to my crankset would be the cause of that one [hitting the crankset], but then there are outer bruises on my right leg, under the leg, near my foot, near my knee.

Left foot --> Bruises on knee, left side, right side, underside and on top
Right foot --> Above knee, on knee, underside, right side and left side.

JanMM

Sounds as if your bruises were the result of your fall.
RICE is something to consider trying, if you haven't already.
https://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/rest-ic...topic-overview

Machka 

Yes, falling off your bicycle can cause bruises ... there are lots of little bits and pieces you can bang your legs on. Especially if you tend to have "thin" blood.

DnvrFox

My wife bruises very easily. I don't. Have you had bruises in the past from relatively minor incidents? That would be a good clue.

MurderThumbz48

Hi there,


You are not alone! I found this thread searching for the exact same thing: whether or not others bruised while bicycling. I road my bicycle everywhere from 2012 - 2016. I stopped riding after a while (I got a car and a new job), but have since returned to commuting everywhere by bike. As before, I'm noticing small, inexplicable bruises appearing on my legs. They never have appeared anywhere else (i.e., my arms, feet, torso, etc.). But it seems that, so long as I'm bicycling, my legs develop relatively small bruises that dot my legs in the most suspicious places.


Of course I was concerned when I noticed the phenomena initially, but I was never able to visit a doctor about it. The bruising eventually stopped shortly after I began commuting by car, so I forgot about it. Of course, now I'm back to cycling and again I am concerned. I'm thinking perhaps it could have to do with a Vitamin C deficiency...?


My question to you is, did you ever visit the doctor and find out what was wrong? Also, is the issue resolved?


Much Thanks!

rumrunn6

strained a hamstring one time, then the back of my thigh, just above the knee turned black & blue

google this phrase & you'll see what I mean "strained hamstring bruise"

MurderThumbz48

Oh wow. Yeah, that looks awful. Thankfully I don't have a strained or pulled hamstring, or grapefruit sized bruises. The bruises I get look like someone poked me with their finger.

Decadence

I used to hit the insides of my thighs against the top tube occasionally and get some sore spots/light bruises. Now I just use a top-tube protector

KraneXL

Check the date, that thread was started 6 years ago. Nevertheless, the advice given is still valid. So if you visit the doctor, I hope you will let us know how it turned out. Hopefully, it won't be any more serious than a nutrient deficiency.

MurderThumbz48

I'm glad the top-tube protector worked for you. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure my bruises are not the result of me accidentally hitting the frame. I thought of that before, but the size and location of the bruises didn't coincide with that theory. They appear predominately on the tops and outer sides of my thighs, but also occasionally on my calf and knee.

Thanks for your input though

MurderThumbz48

I'm sorry if I brought up an old thread, KraneXL. This is the first forum I have ever participated in. I guess I need to read up on forum protocol.


I was aware that getting a reply from ACTIVATEnow would be a long shot, considering the thread's age, but I just wanted to let them know that they were not alone in experiencing this strange phenomena, since it was obvious no one in this thread understood the situation quite like we do.


I don't tend to bruise easily, and, before returning to cycling, I had begun strength training and had no such issue with bruising. The same went for sprinting, swimming, and jumping rope. Now that I am able, I will schedule a doctor's appointment and will most definitely share the findings.

KraneXL

Oh, I wasn't offended or anything. Just pointing out not to hold your breath waiting for an answer.

JanMM

I think that ACTIVATEnow should consider seeing a healthcare professional in 2013.
And think that MurderThumbz48 is wise to see a doctor in 2019.

indyfabz

Maybe you’re striking your legs with the pedals when mounting, dismounting and/walking the bike.

Miele Man

Deleted

MurderThumbz48

Yeah, no. It's definitely an internal issue. I gave this explanation some thought before, but it didn't explain the bruises on the tops and outer sides of my thighs, where they predominately appear.

gregf83 

Vitamin K deficiency? Eat more broccoli?

GAtkins

Have them check your platelet count.

G.