Leg muscles are becoming too cycling specialised!

[Davidc]

I generally agree with the OP, and find that in recent years the more cycle fit I am the longer it takes me to walk the mile and a half to town. The other side of the coin is that as I'm more cycle fit so my stamina improves which in turn helps with all physical activities.

I go to a form of circuit training once or twice most weeks, and walk a fair distance so I'm always using different muscle groups, but certainly do notice an effect when one of the exercise types dominates. This has become far more noticeable as I've got older.

 

[smutchin]

It sounds so ridiculous, how could you not raise an eyebrow at that.

In the context of some of the other stuff in Tyler's book, it's not a very eyebrow-raising anecdote.

Hey, maybe he was so busy taking drugs he'd just forgotten to take his cleats off?

 

[Zofo]

Then it sounds like a bulls*** anecdote in general then doesn't it and so daft as to be something I really wouldn't have expected Tyler Hamilton to have written.

BTW, I have noticed on previous occasions that Zofo has a knack for speaking utter pants so it is hardly a leap to want to question his interpretation before accepting it!

As I find your replies exceptionally offensive and ignorant I've looked up the exact reference in The Secret Race and here it is........

p109.........."I know this sounds crazy but one of the first rules I learned as I entered top-flight bike racing was this: If you're standing, sit down; if you're sitting, lie down;and avoid stairs like the plague. Bike racing is the only sport in the world where the better you get, the more you resemble a feeble old man. I'm not sure of the physiology behind it, but the truth was, walking and standing for extended periods wore you out, made your joints ache and thus set back your training. Five -time TDF champion Brenauld Hinault hated stairs so much thta during some Tours, he would have his soigneurs carry him into the hotels rather than walk........"

Still sound like "pants" dickhead ?

 

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

FWIW: It reads a hell of a lot like minimizing the time spent standing around on training/race fatigued legs than anything else.

 

[Rob3rt]

Well, 1st thanks for posting the quote, since I have been trying to find the quote since you 1st posted.

I would say though that your initial comment doesn't accurately reflect the text, therefore I will not apologise for questioning it. With regards to your later clarification well, you could be right but the text could be interpreted in several ways (since it sounds badly written/strung together anyway), he may be trying to say that, what you do off the bike will effect and potentially detriment what you do on the bike, so at the top level they try to do as little of it as possible (I have been to top level track meets where the endurance riders will ride from track centre to the toilet).

Generally the whole thing sounds to me like pro's avoid standing up and walking around loads during training camps and tours to avoid detriment to their performance in coming days. Further, they struggle to walk around after training/racing day after day. Both of which sound like stating the obvious! Doesn't take being a pro to recognise how hard walking up a set of stairs can be if you have been training hard or racing, even at amateur level.

Overall though yeah it does still sound like "pants" as written, except in this case, it sounds like pants written by Tyler, rather than yourself!

 

[VamP]

As I find your replies exceptionally offensive and ignorant I've looked up the exact reference in The Secret Race and here it is........

p109.........."I know this sounds crazy but one of the first rules I learned as I entered top-flight bike racing was this: If you're standing, sit down; if you're sitting, lie down;and avoid stairs like the plague. Bike racing is the only sport in the world where the better you get, the more you resemble a feeble old man. I'm not sure of the physiology behind it, but the truth was, walking and standing for extended periods wore you out, made your joints ache and thus set back your training. Five -time TDF champion Brenauld Hinault hated stairs so much thta during some Tours, he would have his soigneurs carry him into the hotels rather than walk........"

Still sound like "pants" dickhead ?

"exceptionally offensive" and " dickhead" ?????

Jeez get a grip.

As for the standing, sitting, etc - that's such a standard recovery approach thing, that it hardly bears relating. Means absolutely nothing of the sort that you inferred.

 

[smutchin]

Whatever Tyler actually meant, the wording is ambiguous, to say the least. I interpreted it the same way as Zofo when I first read it, but then didn't give the matter any more thought so didn't really question whether it made sense or not - there's plenty of far more controversial stuff in the book to worry about!

And everyone, please leave out the personal remarks. There's no need for it. If you think someone has said something dodgy, just give your reasons for your alternative view - being patronising or calling people dickheads doesn't further the discussion in any helpful way.

 

[Edwards80]

In context with the rest of the book, perhaps "resembling old men" referred to constantly being attached to a drip . . .

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Opps, I came to this thread when the fighting has already started
To the op, here is what I found out about leg muscles after getting about all winter on a bike fitted with knobbly ice studs, on one gear - the bike has 5 gears, but I'm too lazy to use them.
In October 2012 I was a size 8/10 waist, casual mid leg shorts size 10 fitted perfectly around the upper leg.
In April 2013, said shorts are way too tight around the upper leg, while them and the rest of my clothing are looser than ever on the waist.
I am not pleased!

 

[ColinJ]

In October 2012 I was a size 8/10 waist, casual mid leg shorts size 10 fitted perfectly around the upper leg.
In April 2013, said shorts are way too tight around the upper leg, while them and the rest of my clothing are looser than ever on the waist.
I am not pleased!

Why not - did you want cycling to make your waist bigger?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Why not - did you want cycling to make your waist bigger?

Chunky legs syndrome

 

[ColinJ]

Chunky legs syndrome

Chunky beats scrawny or flabby!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Chunky legs syndrome

Pat, can you please send some of that muscle my way. i can't for the life of me put muscle on no matter how far I cycle each week, with\without panniers or heavy tyres... still got skinny legs after covering nearly 2,000 miles since 1st January this year...

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Pat, can you please send some of that muscle my way. i can't for the life of me put muscle on no matter how far I cycle each week, with\without panniers or heavy tyres... still got skinny legs after covering nearly 2,000 miles since 1st January this year...

@SatNavSaysStraightOn I am so envious, lucky you!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

@SatNavSaysStraightOn I am so envious, lucky you!

don't be... makes panniers & hills really hard work!