Bike legs?

[London424]

When do you get them?

Now granted today was my first time out and I'm a former football player so a different type of activity but I couldn't figure out what was going on. I covered about 19 miles and was barely sweating or out of breath at any point in the ride, but my legs were often really burning!

I assume your legs get used to this and you can physically push harder?

How long does this typically take?

Thanks all.

[GBDG]

Google Rule 5

Then read rule 6, rule 10 & rule 20

HTH

Edited by GBDG on Monday 20th August 21:43

[nammynake]

London424 said:

I assume your legs get used to this and you can physically push harder?

How long does this typically take?

Thanks all.

As long as you ride regularly (2-3 times per week) you will notice a rapid improvement. When I started riding about 18 months ago I had to get off and push on some hills. You soon develop leg strength and will find yourself wondering why you were so weak!

[Jimbo.]

There is no time nor mileage marker, nor is there anything than can be called "cycling legs". You'll always want to go faster/further/higher/harder than your legs and lungs will take you.

There're umpteen million variables: how far, how often, how fast, how hilly, how varied...the list goes on. And it gets even longer (and infinitely more complicated) when you factor in the rider/yourself. How will you body respond? How do you eat? Your threshold? And, whilst it's a bit of a tired phrase, just how much can you suffer?

Ultimately: Ride more.

[ewenm]

London424 said:

When do you get them?

Now granted today was my first time out and I'm a former football player so a different type of activity but I couldn't figure out what was going on. I covered about 19 miles and was barely sweating or out of breath at any point in the ride, but my legs were often really burning!

I assume your legs get used to this and you can physically push harder?

How long does this typically take?

Thanks all.

Sounds like exactly what I'd expect - you're relatively fit from the football so your heart and lungs felt fine. However, football is multiple short sharp efforts whereas cycling is sustained effort. You need to retrain your legs for the new type of activity. How long this will take is entirely down to how much cycling you do, how well you recover from the efforts etc etc.

[London424]

ewenm said:

London424 said:

When do you get them?

Now granted today was my first time out and I'm a former football player so a different type of activity but I couldn't figure out what was going on. I covered about 19 miles and was barely sweating or out of breath at any point in the ride, but my legs were often really burning!

I assume your legs get used to this and you can physically push harder?

How long does this typically take?

Thanks all.

Sounds like exactly what I'd expect - you're relatively fit from the football so your heart and lungs felt fine. However, football is multiple short sharp efforts whereas cycling is sustained effort. You need to retrain your legs for the new type of activity. How long this will take is entirely down to how much cycling you do, how well you recover from the efforts etc etc.

That's exactly it...im used to the short, sharp sprints and this felt really easy from a breathing point of view...just the legs were on fire at times.

I hope to get out at least a couple of times during the week, then at the weekend as well so see how it goes. Enjoyed myself though!

[GBDG]

As a benchmark, my 6 year old nephew did 30 miles on Sunday. So only another 11 to go before you've exceeded that

[Rolls]

It never gets easier... You just go faster

[Saddle bum]

As well as fitness and stamina, you need to develop style and technique.

[London424]

Well hopefully putting in the time it will all come. It was just really strange...normally when my legs are burning my lungs are bursting and I'm sweating my arse off. This was the complete opposite, barely out of breath or sweating but legs on fire!

[BOBTEE]

It might be worth looking at your bike set up, sounds like your saddle could be too low. Just google saddle height, loads of guides out there

[blippo1984]

I used to ride lots but had a 5 year gap.

Rode 20 miles yesterday and was exactly the same as you. You are not alone!

[Lemans Party]

BOBTEE said:

It might be worth looking at your bike set up, sounds like your saddle could be too low. Just google saddle height, loads of guides out there

Absolutely!
I suffered from stiff knees the day after my first couple of longish rides (25m+). Raised the saddle a bit when I started using SPDs, then had a sore arse. Raised it a little more and voila! No more knee pain or saddle pain, soooo much more comfortable now.

To the OP, raise the saddle no more than 1cm at a time, then 5mm when you think you're close to the ideal height.

[burriana]

The basic rule of thumb with saddle height is: put the crank in line with the seat tube - put your heel on the pedal and your leg should be straight. This means that when the ball of your foot is on the pedal as t is when riding your leg will have the required slight bend in it when the crank is at the bottom position.

Everyone has their preference but this is certainly a good starter for ten

[London424]

Thanks for the advice all. I did think the saddle was a little low so have tweaked it up slightly and will head out tomorrow for another loop.

Day off today as the sit bones are somewhat tender!

[dave_s13]

I'm more a runner than a cyclist and recently acquired my brothers rather fancy road bike while he's away for a few months. I've forgotten the name of it but it's proper shiny, weighs feck all and cost over a grand so it's a good un.

Anyway, I did 16 miles on it a couple of evenings ago and managed this at an average of 24mph - I've not been on a bike for over 6 months (mountain bike) so I was suprised how fast you can go. I was also suprised by the intense burning I had on the hills especially in distal quad area - ouch.

[London424]

dave_s13 said:

I'm more a runner than a cyclist and recently acquired my brothers rather fancy road bike while he's away for a few months. I've forgotten the name of it but it's proper shiny, weighs feck all and cost over a grand so it's a good un.

Anyway, I did 16 miles on it a couple of evenings ago and managed this at an average of 24mph - I've not been on a bike for over 6 months (mountain bike) so I was suprised how fast you can go. I was also suprised by the intense burning I had on the hills especially in distal quad area - ouch.

That's some going! Right now I can't think what holding a 24mph speed over that distance would feel like.

[burriana]

A 24mph average is pretty impressive. It is nearly racing speed!

[dave_s13]

burriana said:

A 24mph average is pretty impressive. It is nearly racing speed!

st.....I need to check my Garmin was working reet then don't I.

I'll try it again and see if I'm similarly as impressive.....

[shouldbworking]

I never got bike legs. I ride mtb and road often (commuting a couple of times a week and mtb once a week), this as a background activity to karate, running and hiking. Whilst I could destroy (at the time, no longer the case!) my friends on climbs, my legs would always be giving up before my heart and lungs.