Building leg muscles how long will it take?

[vickster]

..lobster legs aren't appealing however!

 

[jowwy]

I seem to be one of the few whos legs are getting bigger because of cycling . Having said that I did a lot of sport and physical work when I was younger so the muscle may well have been there before , just not used for the last ten years as I have been workshop based and lazy .
I am , like Mr Holder , rather god like though ( without the dodgy carpets )

your legs are not getting bigger, they are just getting more toned as you use them - you can't build big legs by cycling alone - its a fact

 

[Cuchilo]

your legs are not getting bigger, they are just getting more toned as you use them - you can't build big legs by cycling alone - its a fact

Wanna bet ! I was 5'2" when I started I'm 6'3" now

 

[Blurb]

As has been said, simply cycling will only add a small amount to muscle mass. Go to the gym if you want tree trunks for legs!
Frankly, I'm a mere mortal and I don't want huge legs. What I do aim for is to be as good as I can be on the bike (speed/stamina). That means lots of miles, hills, and the right(ish) diet. High protein , low fat.
My only concession to mass/recovery is creatine supplementation.
For me, I found tweaking my diet made a noticeable difference.
I do about 110 commuting miles and regular weekend rides of between 15 and 60 miles.
As an aside, I went through a short phase after watching a few of the Alpine events online of just climbing my local hills, it's fairly flat round Outer NW London, multiple times to get a feel for what a big climb might be like. Getting out of the saddle realy does work those quads/glutes out!

 

[vickster]

Big legs don't suit skinny jeans...pre accident my calves and thighs were quite toned, muscly but chunky. Couple of changing room moments where struggled to get trousers off

Now I have one toned calf and one atrophied one

 

[Cuchilo]

If its the opposite leg to soups you two could tandem to work in double quick time

 

[Di Di]

I have trouble with skinny jeans also. I've previously given up and bought a larger size for my calves but then they're baggy everywhere else. #third world problem! Now I say bring it on.

Apparently it's funny to watch me slathering myself in moisturising cream after my shower then fighting with skinny jeans. Personally, I don't quite get the joke

Knee boots can be tricky too. Thighs are fine. It's just my calves. Had this problem for a while as an ex fell runner but more so since I ditched the trainers for cleated shoes!

I personally don't see the appeal in Hoy-esque legs. Apparently, he leg presses 650kg.

*mouthsick*

 

[Di Di]

 

[Scoosh]

I personally don't see the appeal in Hoy-esque legs. Apparently, he leg presses 650kg.

I think this is the appeal ...

 

[User6179]

your legs are not getting bigger, they are just getting more toned as you use them - you can't build big legs by cycling alone - its a fact

I have built big quad muscles by only cycling but the overall size has come down as the fat around my quads disappears, so I have went from 29 inches to 27 inches .
My cadence is quite low as I push a harder gear than most so this is possibly the reason for the muscle growth .

 

[Di Di]

Not denying the man's a ledge. I just don't find his legs shexshay.

He must be gutted.

 

[vickster]

Like any body builder. Froome's legs nasty too, veiny! Bald not appealing either!

 

[Hacienda71]

You want big legs like a track sprinter. You know what you need to do. You might struggle riding your bike for more than a few miles and up any hills though.

 

[Markymark]

My trousers are getting tighter around the thighs but I've lost over a stone since the summer. I don't do weights.

 

[Di Di]

Has someone been swapping your trews for kiddies ones?