calf/tendon Strain delima

PepeZuumzoom

I bought a lemond (half steel half carbon) bike three weeks ago and took my very first road ride in my life. I went 20 miles with a few hilly areas. I averaged 12 mph.

when I got back, other than for burning I had no extreme soreness, My butt was fine after 2 days even. The next day though, I had this weird twinge soreness running, from outside of left leg calf, up to almost the back of the knee. It doesn't reach to the area directly behind the knee.

It's 139 miles later and the sore twinge is still there. When walking I don't feel it at all. When jumping rope I don't feel it at all. I feel it a little on stairs. Every now and then when riding I will notice it. Once I get off the bike I tend to notice it more

When I feel it riding is when I'm pulling the pedal back and up. To simulate the soreness/cramp I have to have my leg in a 90% angle and then try to squeeze my leg together to a 70-50% angle. Then I feel the twinge. I can go all day and not feel it unless I get into a situation where I have to do that.

Tell me if my Assessment of the situation might be logical.

* For this frame size 53 I have a long crank arms 172mm (i think). This leads to more compression when pulling the leg up. As a complete newbie I was not "spinning fast" (not that I was being encouraged by the longer crank arms) I was also in the big gears more (this I was being encourage by with the longer crank arms)

So my equation starts out (slow cadence) + (hills) + (longer crank arms)= More muscle compression.

* I was fitted by I Bike shop mechanic, and I had a friend kinda double check him. But what I noticed, and my buddy notice also on one ride was that I wasn't getting enough leg extention, and this was going to be a problem sense I tend to ride toes down.

Over two weeks I've raised my seat a full inch and 1/4, and now I feel like I'm getting enough power out of each stroke, and I'm still stable while pedaling, and my knees are not locking when fully extended.

* Consider also, that I don't use those tendons that way, And my muscles were stronger that they were limber, since I didn't stretch and it was my first ride (in my life) and my complete equation looks like this

(slow cadence) + (hills) + (longer crank arms) + (saddle too low) + (not stretching) + (strong muscles weak tendons) = More muscle compression, and calf/ tendon strain.

Does that make biker sense to ya'll?? And now what do I do?

Here's what I've planned. I bought a trainer, and plan on just practicing spinning in an easy gear, for the next few weeks.

Should I not be on the bike at all?

Since ,even when riding it's noticeable only now and then, is it a pain that I will ride through?

Disclaimer:

I pose these questions not looking for a "medical" opinion. They are posed to get an "experienced riders" opinion. And I really do appreciate any and all responses. Hopefully the post wasn't too long. I just wanted to cover all the bases.

Thanks again.

PepeZuumzoom

And my muscles were stronger that they were limber,

should be

And my muscles were stronger than they (tendons) were limber,

dhk

Cycling uses muscles differently than walking or running.
I think you just did too much on your very first road ride and a slight muscle tear resulted. First ride probably should have been not more than 30 minutes, 3-5 miles, without hills.

Daily stretches for the calves should be part of your routine. Deep massage of the muscle may help also.

Spinning for 10 days to two weeks would be good way to recover on the bike or trainer. Just stay in an easy gear on level ground, maybe 39/23, and try to keep your cadence at 80-90 rpm.

Dan

xc_gumby

I'd look at bike fit. Bike fit done as part of the sale can be a bit dodgy. Look around for a cycling coach who can help you out with it (and get the measurements).

Also, another important point is about adaptation. Getting on a bike and giving yourself some serious hammer is going to do more harm than good.

To get your body to adapt, you need to work at a very low heart rate (E1) for a few weeks at least. Its pretty tedious when you know you can go faster (and the bike does too!) but its very important to adapt slowly.

Deep tissue massage will help as well. I also use tennis balls... I lay on them to put some serious pressure on gluts, ITBs, calves and lower back. Doing this does create some tension in my neck which I visit a chiropractor for. As for deep tissue, I go to a crew who combine it with accupuncture. Chiro once a month. The other guys every couple of months or so.