Cycling - good for calf stretching?

[adventureboy]

Excuse my stupid question, but I am a long distance runner and often have problems related to tight calves. I'm currently injured with a calf strain and have started to look at cycling as a cross-training excercise. I've just bought a Giant Rapid 4 bike which flies compared to my old 100 quid mountain bike. I'm thinking of using it for work every other day which is 8 miles away. I'm not too comfy with cycling at super-fast speeds, but I've been for a couple of test runs and I can do 4 miles in 16-17 mins at the moment (including junction stops, etc), which I am more than happy with considering it was taking over half an hour on my old bike. Anyway, my question, will it stretch and make my calves more soft and pliable, and perhaps less prone to strains when running? Thanks
Regards
Rob

 

[screenman]

Hi Rob, I would have thought that there are far better ways to stretch your calf's other than cycling.

 

[Broadside]

No, cycling will not help with stretching your calves. You will find that if you don't stretch them out after a few rides they will begin to tighten and eventually cramp while you're riding.

Cycling might be good for many things but you will have to look after your legs just like you would for running, albeit with a focus on different muscles, ligaments, tendons etc.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

and it will tighten your hammies for sure unless you stretch a fair bit.

 

[Rob3rt]

What you need is a proper stretching regime (i.e. not just after runs, stretches after runs should be short and sweet, 5-6 second holds, on your off days you should do some more progressive stretching with holds of 30 seconds or so) or some yoga!

Cycling wont stretch your calfs (your heel is never below the plane of the pedal and your leg is never fully extended so the calf is never fully extended and thus isnt stretched), it will work them!

 

[lulubel]

As others have said, the only thing that will stretch your calves is a good stretching routine, and you should stretch on rest days as well as after exercise.

That said, cycling can be easier on the calves than running IF you stay in the saddle and "spin" in low gears. As soon as you get out of the saddle or start pushing big gears, your calves will start to get a good workout!

 

[adventureboy]

Thanks for all your replies, it would appear that stretching is just as important for cycling as it is for running. I must admit, I have neglected my stretches at my peril but have started to do them regular now. I love riding my new bike, I'm starting to use it on rest days from running. Thanks for putting me in the right direction with my calves

 

[fossyant]

PS cycling is bad for hamstrings unless you stretch.

 

[montage]

Cycling is far worse than running if you do not stretch.

Bottom line....stretch.

 

[lulubel]

Cycling is far worse than running if you do not stretch.

My experience is the opposite. I can get away with not stretching for a bit if I'm cycling, but not if I'm running. Running wrecks my body very quickly if I don't take proper care of it.

We're all different, I suppose.