Strain in Right Calf Muscle

David_Zen

I just started rididing about 6 weeks ago (on a mountain bike). Since I do most of my riding on paved roads, I decided 2 weeks ago to replace my MB tires with a pair of pavement tires, which gave me about a 4 MPH advantage. I mention this because even though I am able to go faster with these new tires, my bike also vibrates a lot more when I'm rolling over stoney roads. The tires are harder now, hence the reason for the vibration (I think).

About 2 weeks ago I decided to do a 65-mile ride, my longest ride ever. After the first 20 miles or so I felt my bike vibrating a little more than normal on a road that I had been on before with my new tires. That's when I really began feeling the pain. I also felt a bit of shock in my right knee followed by a tight strain, shin splint-like pain in my right calf muscle.

At first I didn't think much of it and continued riding til I was half way through the ride. I rested for about 30 mins, massaged my calf muscle, had some beef soup (I had stopped at a restaurant)and then headed back home. With about 16 miles left, I caught up with a dirt digger, which was traveling at about 20 MPH in front of me. I rode behind it for about 2 miles, which was a great relief since it allowed me to rest for about 6 minutes but the last 14 miles was agonizing. When the tractor turned to pull off the road I was disapointed. I was hoping it would take me all the way home. My speed dropped to 17 MPH then to 15 then to 13 MPH. I was more than happy when I got home. That was the longest ride of my life.

I didn't ride again until 2 days after, which was a mistake since the pain hit me again after only 6 miles. Luckilly, I was closer to home and took my time riding back. I decided to take a longer rest after that.

Finally, I went back out yesterday and did a light ride - 10 miles, 18 MPH average. My right calf muscle feels ok but not quite as strong and as relaxed as the left one. BTW, I'm also recovering from a bad diarrhea and vomiting, which hit me early Monday morning and which is part of the reason my right calf muscle got an extra 2 days off.

So, can someone tell me what's wrong with my right calf muscle? Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this normal? Did the vibration on my bike have anything to do with it?

This injury came at a bad time because I was just about to start training for a traithlon, which is coming up in about 5 weeks. What could I do to make my right calf muscle relax?

2LAP

I'm not sure what the problem is and given your concern you should see a doctor!

Its unlikly to be shinsplints as this pain is felt on the medial (inside) edge of the tibia at the ancle, below the knee or in the middle. Usualy with shin spints if you press behind the bone at this point it is very painful and as the shin splints develop the bone can feel 'serated' as you run your fingers up and down the tibia where the pain is.

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kokopuffs

Wrong, 2LAP. I'm a chiropractor who has gotten SS along the medial tibia from just below the knee extending to the medial malleolus (medial ankle). It never felt serrated, either. Go read about SS in the MERCK MANUAL or some other text covering orthopedic and sports injuries.

SS doesn't manifest itself, however, in the posterior leg, aka the calf region.

2LAP

Sorry kokopuffs, but I don't quite see where my post was wrong?

As you have experianced SS can develop along the length of the bone, as well as the isolated points that I described. Perhaps my post read as though SS only occurs at these three points.

Personaly my shinspints never extend as far as the ancle or knee. As far as I am aware (off the top of my head and after some detailed reading a year ago), in advanced SS the bone can feel serrated where the pain is as a result of swelling.

You are probably more qualified than me on this one, but I'm interested to know some more as a SS sufferer (and suffer I do!).

David_Zen

Well, I know what shin splint is because I have experienced it several times before as a result of running on pavement and from paying football (soccer). I am not familiar with all the muscle and bone terminology but I can tell you what if feels like and I can show you where I feel the pain. Actually it feels like your muscle is pulling off your bone or something. And it helps to walk on your heels. It is sort of a stretching pain as if the muscles are tense and ready to pop. I used to get it on the outside of my feet from about 2 or 3 inches below the knee all the way down to my ankle.

But the problem I had while riding the other day was not shin splint. I said it was a shin splint-like pain more on the inside of my feet. I've never experienced it before.

I suspect the vibration on the bike had something to do with it.

BTW, I rode for 28 miles today and the problem did not re-occur. The road I rode on today was much smoother. However, I do feel a big difference between my left leg and my right leg and I think if I had rode for another 10 miles or so I might have run into the same problem again. I'm kinda taking it easy right now until my right leg feels strong again. Maybe I should go get it massaged.

2LAP

Sorry, we were side tracked by the SS. Both kokopuffs and myself appreciate that its not SS, but can't suggest an alternative.

How is your cycling position, as this is likely to contribute to any effect of the road? Could it be related to the environment, inappropriate clothing/shoes, your level of fitness, dehydration, circulation problems, etc.?

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David_Zen

Well I just found out that one of the reasons my bike was vibrating so much is because it is a bit shakey around the goose neck area. I'm not sure if that is the propper name for it and I really don't know how to fix it. What do you call that part of the bike frame between the fork and the handle bar?

I think my cycling position could be improved. Remember, I am a novice. This is only my 6th week riding but I think I have potential of becoming a great cyclist. Unfortunately, I am starting a bit late at the age of 27. I'd really appreciate some advise on improving my cycling position. I've learne a lot already over the past six months. Like I know now that I need to pedal with the ball of my foot and I get more power out of my legs if I keep my knees as close together when I am pedaling. At first, that seemed a bit unnatural for me since I am somewhat bow-legged but I'm getting used to it and I find that it works.

I wear a pair of sketchers like this one . I can't afford to upgrade to cycling shoes just yet. I wear a regular t-shirt sometimes with biker shorts (good quality shorts from Specialized) and some cheap gloves. I did consider the posibility of a blood circulation problem that may have lead to my injury but how could I tell. The veins in my right calf did look a bit bulggier than those in my left calf. One big one looked like it had knots. Could that be an indication. I am not sure how to measure my fitness level but I think I am in pretty good shape for someone my age who has been inactive for almost 4 years (before 6 weeks ago). I played football in highschool and at College and did some bodybuilding before I got married. I think I am getting back into shape quite fast. It is just this one injury is plaguing my hopes of becoming a serious cyclist. I haven't had a problem with dehydration. I always drink a lot of water before I ride and during my rides. If I am rididing for more than two hours, I usually put some rehydration salt in one of my water bottles or I would full one bottle with pedyalite or sometimes with Gatorade.

oneradtec

Shin splints..and stress fractures are not a common injury amongst cyclist. Cycling is a low to no impact activity. I have been a competitive runner and cyclist, and I have had stress fractures of the anterior tibia with running..but never as a cyclist have I had any such malady.

David_Zen

I think my comparison to shin splint is causing some confusion.

Just a corection: I never said I had shin splint.

I said: "I also felt a bit of shock in my right knee followed by a tight strain, shin splint-like pain in my right calf muscle."

This was just the best way I could describe the kind of pain I felt in my right calf muscle.

2LAP

Originally posted by David_Zen
Well I just found out that one of the reasons my bike was vibrating so much is because it is a bit shakey around the goose neck area. I'm not sure if that is the propper name for it and I really don't know how to fix it. What do you call that part of the bike frame between the fork and the handle bar?

>>Its called the 'head tube' and bearings are contained within something called the 'headset'. Take it to a bike shop and ask them to tighten it up.

I think my cycling position could be improved. Remember, I am a novice. This is only my 6th week riding but I think I have potential of becoming a great cyclist. Unfortunately, I am starting a bit late at the age of 27. I'd really appreciate some advise on improving my cycling position. I've learne a lot already over the past six months. Like I know now that I need to pedal with the ball of my foot and I get more power out of my legs if I keep my knees as close together when I am pedaling. At first, that seemed a bit unnatural for me since I am somewhat bow-legged but I'm getting used to it and I find that it works.

>> At 27 your not too old, there are many people still racing in their 80's!! You'll find some advice on this site about position and may want to start another thread. Its useful to get someone who knows what they are talking about to have a look at you on your bike. Perhaps the bike shop could help you out with this too.

I wear a pair of sketchers like this one . I can't afford to upgrade to cycling shoes just yet. I wear a regular t-shirt sometimes with biker shorts (good quality shorts from Specialized) and some cheap gloves. I did consider the posibility of a blood circulation problem that may have lead to my injury but how could I tell. The veins in my right calf did look a bit bulggier than those in my left calf. One big one looked like it had knots. Could that be an indication. I am not sure how to measure my fitness level but I think I am in pretty good shape for someone my age who has been inactive for almost 4 years (before 6 weeks ago). I played football in highschool and at College and did some bodybuilding before I got married. I think I am getting back into shape quite fast. It is just this one injury is plaguing my hopes of becoming a serious cyclist. I haven't had a problem with dehydration. I always drink a lot of water before I ride and during my rides. If I am rididing for more than two hours, I usually put some rehydration salt in one of my water bottles or I would full one bottle with pedyalite or sometimes with Gatorade.

>>> As a young guy, its unlikely to be circulation unless you have had problems before and the veins are likely to be a relic of your weight training. I think that it may be due to your shoes (which have a flexable sole) or your position or a combination of the two. I would recomend getting your position sorted first to save you the expense of buying shoes. The only other thing that jumps out is that after 4 years of inactivity, you are riding lots and for long periods of time. While this shouldn't be a problem, just remember that it will take you time to adjust to the effort and you should be careful not to do too much.

Vo2

You mention that you only started riding 6 weeks ago. How did you approach your training ito distance and intensity? Doing a 65 mile ride after only 4 weeks of training is just a wee bit much for someone that hasn't been riding before (in my opinion).
I suggest you cut down on distance first, and build up on strenghth and distance more gradually. 2LAP and Ricstern will be able to give you some good advice regarding training.
As for your calf muscle, I suggest you get your body over to someone qualified. A good massage and some rest in that area may be all you need.

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