Over done it?

[ScotiaLass]

For some reason today my knees are giving me hell!
I've been out two days in a row and more rides previous to that, same distance, between 10-12 miles.

I feel my seat may need lowered a little but I've not done it yet - could this be the cause of my knee pain?
I was intending to go out tomorrow but if my knees don't feel better I will give it a miss.
I have bad arthritis in my left knee as well as a Bakers cyst but it's usually only walking on inclines that bothers it (as well as the cold!)

Ideas anyone?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

High saddle and knee pain? Unlikely, because the strain, if any, will be elsewhere. Cold sounds like a more likely culprit. Not that I know owt about it.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Thanks. As both knees are bugging me I'm guessing it could be the cold.
I don't have winter lycra yet so maybe time to invest!

 

[vickster]

Wear some joggers or leggings over the cycling shorts? Warming up and down properly? Stretching? Nice hot bath after the ride? Sore knees normally as seat too low

Hope they get better

 

[totallyfixed]

Thanks. As both knees are bugging me I'm guessing it could be the cold.
I don't have winter lycra yet so maybe time to invest!

Protecting your knees is vital, try to ignore the numpties who wear shorts in this weather, they will pay the price later in life. Invest in some roubaix tights or something equivalent. A picture of you on the bike would be useful with legs in different positions, doesn't have to include head and shoulders, though arms also important to assess reach.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I do wear tights but they aren't winter weight.
When my heel is on the pedal, the leg is fully stretched out. I don't think reach is the issue as I have arthritis in my upper and lower spine and it hasn't been painful after a ride.
My hips don't appear to rock and I feel comfortable on the bike.

I'll try and get some pics (it won't be pretty!)

 

[albion]

1 cm too low and my knees are worse, though they legs never feel fully stretched.

For the arthritis I try to always spin, even if it feels alien at times.
From once being unable to ride I protect the knee about OK, with my right hip now being of more concern.

 

[albion]

I also now have the gear set so that I never walk on any incline, still being able to spin up near any hill.
Once walking up a hill the whole left knee locked.

 

[rbreid]

What crank length are you using and what is your barefoot measurement floor to lower edge of patella?

 

[Koga]

Try one solution at a time if it does not work try the next one. Just think if anything has changed and start working on that. Getting colder would be an obvious one, perhaps not having cycled is an other one (not so likely).
Good luck.

 

[ScotiaLass]

What crank length are you using and what is your barefoot measurement floor to lower edge of patella?

Too technical for me....(though I do know what a patella is lol)

 

[rbreid]

Too technical for me....(though I do know what a patella is lol)

An oft overlooked cause of knee pain is wrong crank length. The great majority of bikes come with 170mm cranks regardless of frame/rider size. My ideal is 160mm and makes a huge difference to my riding comfort/stamina. Crank size is generally stamped on the rear of the crank.

 

[michaelcycle]

Can you be a little more specific?

Is the pain in the front of your knee or behind it at the back of your leg? Is it under your knee cap or to the sides? What type of pain - sharp or dull? Is it accompanied by tightness?

It could simply be you have decided to do too much too soon.

 

[vickster]

Too technical for me....(though I do know what a patella is lol)

The crank is the arm to which the pedal is attached. Might have the length on the rear?

 

[ScotiaLass]

Can you be a little more specific?

Is the pain in the front of your knee or behind it at the back of your leg? Is it under your knee cap or to the sides? What type of pain - sharp or dull? Is it accompanied by tightness?

It could simply be you have decided to do too much too soon.

It's like a dull ache (similar to my arthritis pain). It was in both knees and above my kneecap, around the front.

On today's ride I didn't notice it at all! Saying that, I wonder if my hips are rocking a little?
I have a definite sore point on my undercarriage!! (not the seat bones, more like a friction, fleshy sore bit).