how much is too much or too little for muscles.

[k turner]

Moonglow - I put the seat up 2 days ago, and I will put it again tonight, because I was barefoot the first time I measured and with trainers on it makes 3/4 inch difference, which I hadnt thought of. Thanks for the tips.

 

[shimano]

As Sheldon B once said, if your feet touch the ground whilst you're sitting on the saddle, it's too low. My compromise to this is just being able to reach the ground on 'tippy-toe' for those emergency moments.

 

[col]

Perry - why no out of the saddle stuff? I thought that would save my back over the bumpy bits. cant balance yet though.

schoosh - cant do squats, my knees lock up.

col - I have improved my diet radically, but I am getting a tummy now, so once again, am I doing too little.

If your not doing a sustained period of cycling regularly,you wont use all of what you eat if your eating too much,so dont overdo the eating.And remember rest is just as important as actual training.

 

[RedBike]

I used to suffer from chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME). What you're attempting has certainly got my respect.

Its very difficult to know what to suggest. I know that exercise did me the world of good. In fact I think it was cycling that helped me recover.

I don't think pushing yourself (making yourself even more fatigued) is a good idea. I would go for the little and often approach.

And don't worry about your belly, eat plenty of carbs, your body needs them to exercise and recover properly!

 

[Ashtrayhead]

Perry - why no out of the saddle stuff? I thought that would save my back over the bumpy bits. cant balance yet though.

schoosh - cant do squats, my knees lock up.

col - I have improved my diet radically, but I am getting a tummy now, so once again, am I doing too little.

Don't go all the way down. Use light weights to start with, and maintain good form, head up, don't look down. Pick a point at eye level ahead of you and keep your eyes on that as you go up and down. Go down for 4 seconds and push up in 2. You won't do many that way but it'll give a good workout. (Don't forget the hamstrings and calves need some attention too! )

 

[k turner]

Well, as per daughters instructions, did a good long stretch afterwards, then a hot bath and deep heat and straight into bed. Not sore at all the next day. Think I have been so tired getting home I have missed the warmdown and stretch.

Adjusted the seat to higher and more forward again and that is helping me use the middle of my thigh instead of just above the knees. I am standing down all the hills with pedals level in the middle, tried once or twice to pedal and nearly fell off. Got on the pony today and told him how wide and safe he felt compared to that little bike saddle.

Still cant take hands off for more than one quick banana bite.

Went all the way there and back in 3rd today, made one more hill to the top. Will keep it up, expensive on the bath water though, I am bathing before and after to soak the muscles! Never mind the Radox and deep heat.

Thouroughly enjoying myself, and even considered going to the tack shop today, about 3 miles each way, but hills all the way back, so dedided to wait till the end of the month. Will have more money to spend then too. But I can only buy what will fit in the paniers or what I can sling around me.

Going through loads of bananas too and cheese, they are so much easier than cooking meat.

 

[summerdays]

You have made a couple of comments about standing to avoid the bumpy bits, but you don't need stand all the way up, but just sort of lift your bottom off the saddle as you see each bump, then sit back down again. And I'm not brilliant at hills and so definately prefer sitting going up them.

You can also get suspension seat posts - not everyone likes them, but they can take out some of the bumps. I have seen people on here recommend one called something like a thud buster - but I have no experience of it. (Just googled them - they are expensive!!)

 

[k turner]

I may have to look at the spring/air/suspension seat, as if I sit on the bumpy bits (road) it really hurts my lower spine a lot. I have heard the suspension seats are heavy, just changed the bike for a lighter one. What about springs, or the airride seat in lidl's special on thursday, or will that one be junk?

Made it to the top of another hill today! Probably feel it tomorrow.

I find that if I go up the hills in 3rd, although it gets harder just before the top, I go much quicker and have less turns on the pedals, so in a funny way it is easier than a thousand pedals in 1st or 2nd. Is that correct?

 

[Andy in Sig]

A suspension seat post is a brilliant idea but and it is a big but, there is a lot of rubbish and it only makes sense to save a bit and get a good one. I had a thudbuster on an aluminium framed bike and it was worth its weight in gold. It was based on a deforming trapezoid as opposed to just going up and down which means it is better for you. Very not cheap (check the prices on the net) but like I say, really worth saving for as it will mean no more jolted spines.

You can get a Brooks saddle with built in springs but it will be a bit heavy. Perhaps ask a question in Knowhow specifically about saddles with springs.

 

[k turner]

Thanks Andy, new section to go and read then.

 

[Andy in Sig]

You can see all the details at www.thudbuster.com What you do need to check is that it is suitable for your frame i.e. that there will be enough room between your saddle and the frame for it to fit. The best way to do this would be to find a serious bike shop which stocks them which probably means a Saturday shopping trip.

 

[k turner]

well I must be fit then, not getting out of breath anymore, I can now do the hills and get all the way to the pony with only muscle breaks.

I bought a light set at the halfords sale with a computer and I am doing 4or 5 mph up the hills and 8 or 9 on the flat. I am using the middle ring at the front and started going up 1 to 7 on that set. My bum and lower back is now being used more and I bought more radox today, started 2 days ago on middle ring. Using the ice packs twice a day and all night. Stays in bed and back in the freezer in the morning.

Measured on new gadget today 2.1 miles there and back with 1 hour break to see to pony. Having 2 bananas and four bottles of water.

Not sweating at all anymore.

I cant work out why my muscles are hurting and I have to stop and shake my legs on the hills for about 30seconds and then go again, but I am not out of breath or tired?

Is is the wasted muscles in my legs still building back up again? (illness related) or is this the way it is supposed to be?

How much do I push my muscles? What is the "burn", do you stop then or keep going?