Knee Pain Advice

[dknapp]

I am building up my distance capabilities in order to ride in this year's Bike Virginia in June.  In the past, 20-30 milers were no big problem.  I have done 50 miles with one week breaks in between and both times have finished with moderate pain behind my right knee.  It seems to be originating where the calf muscle attaches behind the knee, not ligament or actual joint pain.  Takes several days to subside.  Left knee is pretty good in comparison.  Average speed is 11.7 mph.  Age - 58.  Generally good shape, no problems walking, hiking or skiing.  Never any prior knee injuries.  This seems totally related to biking.  Have tried extending seat a bit, but was too late on the last ride to help.  Use clipless pedals.  Everything else feels comfy - seating, back position, etc.

[wanderingwheel]

Is there any specific time during the ride that the pain starts, such as climbing?  Pain behind the knee usually means that your seat is too high and you are over-extending your leg.  Try lowering your seat rather than raising it.

Another thing to consider is your cleat location.  It is possible that your cleat is too far forward and your calf muscle is being over-worked by large ankle movements.  If this is the case, try moving your cleat back until it is 1 or 2 cm behind the ball of your foot.

One more possibility is your riding style.  Do you pedal big gears with a slow cadence?  If so, try using a lower gear and raising your cadence to 80 rpm or more.

Hope this helps
Sean

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

In police cyclist training they taught us if your knees hurt your seat is too high and if your thighs hurt your seat is too low.

Is your seat adjusted correctly?

Ride safe,
Hans

www.trailpatrol.org

[ptaylor]

From my experience, and what I have read, the most common cause of knee pain is pushing too hard in too high of a gear. I would echo Sean to try using a lower gear and raising your cadence to 80 rpm or more.

Paul

[mtnroads]

Usually pain in back of knee is from seat too high, pain in front from too low. You may have slight leg lgth discrepancy and the sore leg is overextending. Try lowering the seat 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Also doesn't hurt to check with the doc and get some xrays to make sure everything is in alignment. Icing after rides for a while will help, too.

[pmspirito]

Buy a recumbent

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[rollinhome]

Another issue is previous injury which limits range of
motion (bending) so, a  seat that is low will go beyond
comfortable range  and create soreness. As mentioned
taller gears tend to stress the knee. good luck!