tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post864766097729994003..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Climbing Muscles? PerhapsVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63511505935448905872015-01-22T12:22:21.871-05:002015-01-22T12:22:21.871-05:00I'm loving this blog more and more, returning ...I'm loving this blog more and more, returning to it with delight. I had back pain riding my fuji crosstown, so switched to a Cannondale adventure thinking the adjustability would help. Nope. The tool free handlebar adjustment is great but it did nothing for my back pain. Switching from the "comfort" saddle to a selle anatomica solved the problem immediately. I do however have another issue and that is tingling or numbness in my left leg. My doctor says it's spinal as I have stenosis and some slightly bulging discs, but I was impressed with this blog post. I don't have many hills by me (Florida is pretty flat) but there are highway over passes that will do. I'm going to try workouts using these "hills" and see if that doesn't help. Oh and I can't seem to figure out how to "join" so I don't appear as annonymous.....donMUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320177791490240405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67729165139094725502014-12-28T02:14:45.848-05:002014-12-28T02:14:45.848-05:00I would say that it was piriformis syndrome too. I...I would say that it was piriformis syndrome too. I had won National Championships 16 years ago and decided to return to road training. I was always pretty good on climbs and had no injuries when training. The tougher the training the better. So I decided to stat training on an indoor cycle, which I have found in the past enables you to focus on specific elements of fitness. Within 2 months I was destroying Strava and Garmin segments for climbs, until I suddenly felt an all to familiar spasm at the rear of my left thigh, numb ankle and a dull ache at the top of both buttocks. This seemed familiar with what I had suffered 2 years previously but on a lesser scale. I visited a physio who diagnosed that due to having a desk job my hip abductors and gluteus medius were not being fired by my brain. In effect it's what they call glute amnesia. So when these muscles are not being employed the piriformis steps in. Trouble is that this muscle is not intended for the task as its main function is that of a hip rotator. So when I'm climbing out of the saddle the force got transferred to this piriformis muscle. The odd pain come come from the fact that it lies near the sciatic nerve. I'm doing stretches and strengthening exercises for the gluteus medius. Am hoping this helpsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-2877046147805658952013-09-14T15:59:02.404-04:002013-09-14T15:59:02.404-04:00It sounds very much like you had a sacro-iliac or ...It sounds very much like you had a sacro-iliac or lumbo-sacral derangement, and were an extension responder. (Bending backward helped.) Working on your riding encouraged your core (transversus abdominus especially) to engage and stabilize the derangement.<br /><br />Good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78019157762100508032013-09-13T18:18:41.240-04:002013-09-13T18:18:41.240-04:00I used to have lower back/hip pain until I switche...I used to have lower back/hip pain until I switched to platform pedals. The issue has been resolved. gearedup2gohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07872944479199381150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33623186917592026462013-09-04T13:55:52.563-04:002013-09-04T13:55:52.563-04:00Its funny how the organization of body and mind wo...Its funny how the organization of body and mind works with (or against) itself. Could it be once you discovered that stand-up pedaling helped with your problem, you didn't have to use the technique because that which caused the pain knew you had it ready in reserve?<br /><br />That seemed to be my experience with Spring allergies which I once suffered miserably from until cheap generic Claritan became available. Ever since knowing this works I have rarely had to actually use it.<br /><br />I think eventually, however, something will have to give. With biking, desperately pedaling in what is essentially the fetal position - 2 diametrically opposed actions - is asking for trouble. After nearly a decade on the verge of tears from lower back pain, doctors gave me a choice between a very costly and chancy operation and riding a cruiser.<br /><br />Twenty years later that pain is long gone, and the only pains I have experienced are silly ones arising from small wounds to my pride when someone whisks by me as if I wasn't there.<br /><br />Russhttp://gdcode.wordpress.com/rolling-transport/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23887987064778411762013-09-04T12:39:43.344-04:002013-09-04T12:39:43.344-04:00As far as climbing out of the saddle, don't fo...As far as climbing out of the saddle, don't forget to work the bike back and forth as you go. The advantage of out of saddle climbing is obtained when you use your arms to contribute. Just standing up leaving the bike vertical and waiting for your weight to depress the pedal is not the effective way to get up the hill out of the saddle. When you learn how to use your entire body to move the bike this way, you will develop better overall strength and go up the hills like a mountain goat. I am surprised by how many roadie-looking riders, in this hilly area, don't know how to do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45784790705545989462013-09-01T23:28:05.122-04:002013-09-01T23:28:05.122-04:00I have definitely experienced back spasms in the s...I have definitely experienced back spasms in the same locations you describe. The 'seizing' effect can be quite debilitating, and frustrating as those muscles are contracting without any deliberate attention. Usually they go away on heir own, but core exercises do help...planks are my friendAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27659236472580979882013-09-01T01:07:47.610-04:002013-09-01T01:07:47.610-04:00Great news to hear! It was easy for me to learn to...Great news to hear! It was easy for me to learn to stand while climbing on my older nearly flat bar hybrid bike. Now, I have a newer road bike (with actual drop bars) and I have practically stopped standing when I climb (it seems harder to hold the handle bars steady, yet also since the bike is more light weight and has more gears, it just isn't necessary to stand when climbing hills). But I have stopped losing weight and even gained back a little (particularly in the 'love handle' area). Your article makes me realize that perhaps I am not working the same muscles as much, since I no longer "have to" stand to climb hills. I certainly plan to start standing when climbing hills again If I lose my love handles we shall know for sure that the benefits of climbing are great. Would you mind telling us approximately how many miles on average you are biking per day?Susurrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10830364984167229089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87271317902743103152013-08-31T20:09:11.278-04:002013-08-31T20:09:11.278-04:00Believe doing the Tibetan Rites can help too with ...Believe doing the Tibetan Rites can help too with core strength. Though I rarely do the whole 21 reps every time. More like 15 or 13 or 17 regularly, depending on how I feel.restyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12195406920764984114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9664871206780924062013-08-31T07:45:17.541-04:002013-08-31T07:45:17.541-04:00I've been off my bikes for weeks. Lower back p...I've been off my bikes for weeks. Lower back pain. Diagnosis - twisted lower vertebra and a herniated vertebra, which has stiffened my back muscles and some vertebra. I'm getting the best chiropractic help - cold laser, traction, compression, kinesiology taping, cold/hot pads, plus taking D-Flame [an herbal anti-inflammatory and Omega 3 flax 3 times a day with food]. I've been lifting bikes onto my rack and not conditioning my upper and left side as much. My age and weight also probably played a factor. I was told not to lift more than 20 lbs when I'm well. I thought I'd pass this on as we all age. Condition your whole body, don't lift heavier bikes on your own [or too high] and reduce road shock as much as possible. If you injure yourself - seek the best chiropractic help fast. It can often correct a situation. Regular doctors will prescribe drugs and later send you to a specialist who will operate. Living with constant pain from scar tissue is often the result.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83376465091760913502013-08-31T06:04:28.305-04:002013-08-31T06:04:28.305-04:00I did pilates for several years during my 20s. I w...I did pilates for several years during my 20s. I was thin as a stick, but never developed much muscle tone.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86116019502728975642013-08-31T04:04:59.106-04:002013-08-31T04:04:59.106-04:00It's usually one of two caps: GB components (w...It's usually one of two caps: GB components (white with black stripe, pictured here) and Pace classic cap (white with rainbow stripes). Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80987782150358693152013-08-31T04:00:26.787-04:002013-08-31T04:00:26.787-04:00Yes that seems to be what has done it. Noticeable ...Yes that seems to be what has done it. Noticeable muscle tone in the midriff, legs and upper arms. I ride every day and it is very hilly here, so plenty of opportunities to practice standing. On the days I don't do hills, I do all-out intervals on flats, in a high-ish gear. <br /><br />While I am younger than you, I cannot stress how difficult it normally is for me to build muscle tone, so it came as a surprise how quickly this happened. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24787405996846048612013-08-31T03:50:45.876-04:002013-08-31T03:50:45.876-04:00Oomph it hurts just to read that. I've always ...Oomph it hurts just to read that. I've always hated walking up stairs, and if anything it's worse since I started cycling. Love walking up steep hills though. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78870636798103000752013-08-31T03:47:02.674-04:002013-08-31T03:47:02.674-04:00I love the cycling cap you always wear in your pho...I love the cycling cap you always wear in your photos! Is it Rapha? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85480881328537045512013-08-31T02:41:53.104-04:002013-08-31T02:41:53.104-04:00A friend of mine bought a new bike but like you ex...A friend of mine bought a new bike but like you experienced some discomfort in the lumbar area so went back to the bike shop to discuss possible adjustments to the set up to which the response from the old school retired racer proprietor was 'you're supposed to have a bad back - it's cycling'<br /><br />Over the channel riding out of the saddle is known as dancing, in the english speaking world ( this bit of it anyway) we call it honking so its another example perhaps that we anglophones still have some way to go in adopting the more poetic aspects of the sport..Northern Bikehttp://www.northernbike.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81759207336436817112013-08-30T22:16:36.788-04:002013-08-30T22:16:36.788-04:00Do I understand you correctly to say that you fixe...Do I understand you correctly to say that you fixed the pain, improved your riding, and got more comfortable on the bike basically by doing more aggressive hill climbing, particularly standing? Please let that be true. I hate "exercise" but I love riding a fixed gear up hills and have plenty of opportunity to do it. <br /><br />Is that basically your regimen?<br /><br />It would be good to have muscle definition again, too, in the midriff area after, what, 20 years (tho' I'm not fat at all, quite svelte, actually, for 58, he added plaintively) and if I can get them by more fixed gear climbing, then -- wow!Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90425435106529400862013-08-30T22:04:26.541-04:002013-08-30T22:04:26.541-04:00I had worked on core strength for the Greylock rid...I had worked on core strength for the Greylock ride (which included a Pamela Blalock climb that was even harder than Greylock) and experienced back pain or something that resembled the start of a kidney stone. Maybe I didn't work hard enough before the ride but the pain went away quickly after finishing the climb and didn't reappear on the return trip.<br /><br />I think core is it. We all don't do enough of it, particularly me the last few months. And it shows on the long climbs.<br /><br />Like Somervillain, I sprint up stairs, even carrying a heavy bag. It helps.<br />New England Bicyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609454624593868118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45055705093812558382013-08-30T20:47:46.379-04:002013-08-30T20:47:46.379-04:00I saw the difference when you posted the above pic...I saw the difference when you posted the above pic to your flickr sets. <br />I would have thought it a combination of the out-of-the-saddle climbing and Mt. Binevenagh. :) <br /><br />As a lifelong jouster with sciatica and core issues, I can relate. <br />For me, the answer is side planks and some hula-hooping, as well as interval training.<br /><br />Congrats on getting a handle on it! <br />(or is that losing a handle? Sheesh.)Corey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64420949089584515662013-08-30T20:32:46.407-04:002013-08-30T20:32:46.407-04:00The answer is surprisingly simple: Pilates.
As s...The answer is surprisingly simple: Pilates.<br /><br /><br />As someone has already suggested, it's your your weak core muscles. Cycling uses them but doesnt develop them. Beginners pilates (there are several youtube videos) will solve the climbing muscle problem quickly and surprisingly easily.<br /><br />SimonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79456873480868684432013-08-30T17:28:20.781-04:002013-08-30T17:28:20.781-04:00Learning how to climb standing up was major, one o...Learning how to climb standing up was major, one of the basic skills in hill climbing, most of us take it for granted. But, it also sounds like a core issue, if you haven't been doing other exercises to build core strength, you would continue to have problems. I can understand not wanting to go to the gym, or swimming in chlorinated pools etc. That is all time and money you might not have. But as someone who bikes as much as you do, I would highly recommend taking up something that works for you. I had lost quite a bit of my core strength over the last year from no longer doing a heavy labour job and illness/injury kept me off my bike for longer rides. This was affecting my riding. My hernia got to the point of no return, was finally diagnosed so was banned from doing anything too strenuous. I thought while waiting for surgery I would try the 5 tibetan exercises. I always giggled when people mentioned them, but wow! http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm<br /> Cheesy newageyness aside, they are basically 5 yoga-ish exercises that work the whole body. They take little time, are simple and no $ investment required. I did not expect anything, but the difference within a few weeks was amazing. I never do the first spinning dizzy inducing exercise and had to do some modified versions of two of the moves due to injury. I've been biking all my life, but it has been years since I've seen the abdominal muscles you mentioned getting until I started doing these basic exercises. Post surgery I am only starting to think about biking again, and have to rebuild my core, yet again. Also do daily squats!!<br />I did some damage by riding a bike over the past year that did not have enough of range and geared too high for my geography. I thought I could do it even though my core was weakened. I live in a very hilly area so am accustomed to climbing be it mountain biking, road riding or just commuting on bikes with appropriate gearing. I know you were riding bikes with 29t as the biggest cog in your cassette. Even a 32t would help enormously, but really like Pamela's idea of 11-36 cassette!Heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9206197709132271082013-08-30T16:24:40.931-04:002013-08-30T16:24:40.931-04:00ooops, hit send too fast. The point about stair cl...ooops, hit send too fast. The point about stair climbing, was that it really improved my performance on the hills when riding not just from a cardiovascular perspective but also with my muscle stamina. GFRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07126801295380240150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67794800711374091832013-08-30T16:22:55.597-04:002013-08-30T16:22:55.597-04:00I agree with Somervillain that sprinting up the st...I agree with Somervillain that sprinting up the stairs must work similar muscles as I started walking up 12 flights of stairs at work a few months ago. After a few weeks of that I started sprinting them and I could make it to about the 9th, then eventually 10th, 11th and 12th floors in a sprint. It definitely worked my thighs, but also my core, perhaps because there's a lot of twisting to make it up the last few flights as the stairs narrow. GFRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07126801295380240150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15190968179909366932013-08-30T12:44:38.101-04:002013-08-30T12:44:38.101-04:00Yes! Pedaling out of the saddle opens new doors t...Yes! Pedaling out of the saddle opens new doors to climbing. I work on the 5th floor and also found that running up the steps several times a day improves some of the same muscles used during sprinting out of the saddle.somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68414733338526238642013-08-30T12:19:49.326-04:002013-08-30T12:19:49.326-04:00Good for you! Would love to hear more specifics on...Good for you! Would love to hear more specifics on what riding you did to help you. As for me, I've started doing at least one interval ride (up a 4-5min hill 3-4times with increasing intensity) a week. Was really surprised at how much my longer rides improved. Hard to get real excited about riding intervals but the reward is well worth the effort and then some.mikebikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08804552506109119871noreply@blogger.com