Stretching

[Riverman]

How much do you stretch? Or do you consider a quick warm up ride stretching?

I ask this because I do very little stretching for cycling and rely on warming up. It seems to be the only sport where I don't need to but then I don't ride above 20 miles very often and have relatively short rides.

I read somewhere recently that stretching can weaken your muscles.

 

[Riverman]

If I go running I find I have to stretch otherwise I find I my muscles get quite tight and spend the next few days struggling to walk. I can also end up hurting the ligaments around my knees.

 

[I am Spartacus]

Prior to riding.. DO not stretch ... waste of time ...
afterwards .. I know I should .. I know I should I know I should

 

[Fnaar]

I always forget. Every time.

 

[dickothedrafter]

Prior to riding.. DO not stretch ... waste of time ...

Agreed.......Although i do remember to stretch afterwards otherwise i pay for it the next day

 

[Sittingduck]

AFTER long rides, I stretch my quads.

 

[mr Mag00]

having just had numerous physio sessions i have a regime of stretching now twice a day exercise or not.

 

[amnesia]

I always stretch after a ride, however long, but just rely on taking it easy for a few minutes at the beginning of a ride to warm up.

My knees thank me for it

 

[Hont]

I only stretch afterwards. I find spinning at low intensity is fine for warming up muscles. I stretch afterwards to prevent the muscles from tightening up or shortening. You should probably do both, but who has time?

 

[Sittingduck]

I'm sure I read somehwre that stretching prior to the activity has zero benefit and can, infact cause problems

 

[Riverman]

I do allot of stretching before each ride and I don't agree with your words that "Stretching can weaken your muscles". Stretching helps in loosening the muscles and not in weakening them. There by it allows me to do some extra mile drive.

Take a look at this.

http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/11/07/1421242

 

[mad al]

When I ran I used to stretch before and after On a bike different ball game and as already said , after is best

 

[Riverman]

I do the same with running and must say I find it very necessary to prevent stiff muscles or pulling anything.

Why does it seem unncessary to do it before cycling? I guess you have to factor in it being lower impact.