Leg muscles are becoming too cycling specialised!

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Muscle Memory

 

[tyred]

This is something I have been pondering as well recently.

I used to do a lot of walking prior to starting cycling. Walking was how I kicked-started my weight loss/fitness regime. I could easily walk for miles on end over any terrain. In more recent years, I have cycled a lot but my walking activities were a few miles here or there. I feel fitter than I ever have done.

Now, I have a new GF who loves hill walking and I find I really struggle with what was easy a few years ago. Not in an out of breath way but my legs hurt and feel tired very quickly.

I suppose my options are to either re-gain my walking fitness or get her on a bike....

 

[Banjo]

Went for a hilly 3 mile stroll yesterday evening and realised that although I'm fitter than I've ever been in my life and probably got stronger cycling muscles than ever, my muscle development is becoming ever more specific to cycling; it's almost as if my leg muscles are becoming an extension of the cranks!

Cycling does not promote those ancillary stability and control muscles so walking felt wobbly and I lacked stability; when I tried an experimental trot for a few yards my legs felt terrible. I guess this is the consequence of a lifestyle that is almost entirely sedentary apart from cycling, as well as a recent two-week overseas trip with zero exercise and lots of beer and hotel food. I also guess that in the mid to late fifties it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain muscle tone.

Anybody else noticed this?

Yes definitely noticed it. After years of virtually no exercise other than cycling I find even a very short slow jog around the block amazingly hard now.I have been trying to do more running but am finding my legs feel stiff and awkward all the time ,hoping if I persevere things will improve.

 

[avalon]

I suppose the answer would be Cyclocross. That way you're constantly on and off the bike, exercising all your leg muscles as well as some of your upper body ones.

 

[Globalti]

Good point. Even mountain biking was better for overall muscle tone than road riding when I used to do it.

 

[Edwards80]

I've found the opposite, I suppose it depends on your fitness when you start. Before getting the bike I did a 10k after doing some running training, I found it very hard and frequently had to walk.

I did a 12 mile run/assault course this weekend after practically no running training. I got around it fine and I was running at a pace higher than I did in the 10k (Was still bloomin sore afterwards! ). So cycling has definitely helped in the running department!

I play badminton once or twice a week too and doing some core training classes (abs/back etc.) helped with that and with cycling, so I think cross training is pretty important either way.

 

[tincaman]

I have found cycling and squash on the same day doesn't work, my legs don't seem to respond to direction changes on court quick enough. I used to cycle to squash but have stopped now, it took nearly a year to work that one out.

 

[montage]

Heavy legs is a potentially a sign you may not be stretching enough. Particularly the hamstrings. Try just stopping and stretching when they get sore on a walk - I find that this can make the pain go away almost instantly

 

[fossyant]

Look, man invented the wheel, so what's all this talk about running or walking. Progress. It's too slow anyway !

 

[ColinJ]

Look, man invented the wheel, so what's all this talk about running or walking. Progress. It's too slow anyway !

I love my bikes (road and MTB) but there are places that I want to go to where bikes are not much use.

I once misread a map in the Highlands and spent 5 hours pushing and carrying my MTB across a large bog criss-crossed by meandering streams (burns?); I could have done without my bike then! Mind you, the 20 mile trip back afterwards would have been a bit of a slog on foot ...

 

[fossyant]

I love my bikes (road and MTB) but there are places that I want to go to where bikes are not much use.

I once misread a map in the Highlands and spent 5 hours pushing and carrying my MTB across a large bog criss-crossed by meandering streams (burns?); I could have done without my bike then! Mind you, the 20 mile trip back afterwards would have been a bit of a slog on foot ...

Nah, MTB's and a bit of carrying ! Many moons ago, we MTB'ed up Snowdon. Took the ranger path up, but then spent about an hour with the bikes slung over our shoulders climbing up the side of the mountain. - The path was suitable for bikes only part way. Ace coming down though !

 

[david k]

This is something I have been pondering as well recently.

I used to do a lot of walking prior to starting cycling. Walking was how I kicked-started my weight loss/fitness regime. I could easily walk for miles on end over any terrain. In more recent years, I have cycled a lot but my walking activities were a few miles here or there. I feel fitter than I ever have done.

Now, I have a new GF who loves hill walking and I find I really struggle with what was easy a few years ago. Not in an out of breath way but my legs hurt and feel tired very quickly.

I suppose my options are to either re-gain my walking fitness or get her on a bike....

ha, ha, get her a bike!

yeh i have the same experience (walking not GF)

 

[Ningishzidda]

Look, man invented the wheel, so what's all this talk about running or walking. Progress. It's too slow anyway !

That's bollocks.
A Sumarian god called Ningishzidda granted mankind the wheel.

 

[Zofo]

There's a piece in Tyler Hamilton's book where he talks about pro cyclists shuffling around in hotel corridors like old men. Basically if you only train for one activity then everything else-even walking-becomes relatively harder .

 

[Rob3rt]

There's a piece in Tyler Hamilton's book where he talks about pro cyclists shuffling around in hotel corridors like old men. Basically if you only train for one activity then everything else-even walking-becomes relatively harder .

Critical: Have you understood him correctly?