Achilles tendon

I went for a brisk 65 mile ride a couple of weeks ago, first hour was very fast, second hour moderately so and the last forty five minutes was pretty slow- I blame going out too fast and an evil headwind.

It couldn't possibly be down to me not having the miles in my legs.

Anyway- afterward my right Achilles tendon ached like hell, to the point that over the next few days I ended up cycling using only my left leg.

I took a couple of days off the bike and it faded, got back on the bike and it kept fading.

Thing is the ache has now moved to the right of the tendon, and if I put my fingertips over the tendon whilst I flex my ankle I can feel the tendon "creaking".

I presume the answer is to just stay off the bike for a while- however I would welcome another answer!

Over to you.

a physio should be able to diagnose what the problem is and suggest what needs to change.
it could possibly be something not near the achilles that is causing the problem.

physio is the defonatly the best bet. if there is something wrong they should be able to get you back to normal in no time!!

Avoid poisoned arrows for the time being.

Also, try massaging the area and your calf and do a quick google for achilles tendonitis.

I had a quick Google for it, thanks Hippy:

Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury. Too much too soon is the basic cause of overuse injuries, however other factors can contribute to developing the condition.

• Increase in activity (either distance, speed or hills).
  
• Less recovery time between activities.
  
  

That rings a bell.

Looks like I need to take some time off the bike or it will just get worse.

I have a quiver of poisoned arrows that I can lend to you so that you may more diligently avoid them, if that helps.

Thanks Nigel, I'm intending on cooling my heels in the Styx during the recovery phase so I should be fine.

I had a weirdly similar experience recently.

A few weeks ago went for a 65ish mile ride. After 35 or so my left ankle started hurting, and at the end of the ride it stiffened right up, I was limping and all. Seems to be a tendon running from above the ankle bone down under the arch, on the inside. A week off the bike and it started fading, but I couldn't stand the bus any longer so started riding again, and it's almost gone now - but still kind of there.

Never had this before, and the only cause I can think of is my cleat positioning. The week before this ride I moved the right one forward a little. I can only assume this put my legs at a slightly different angle and the stress was felt in my left ankle. I'm hoping so at least - sounds like a better prospect than achilles tendonitis.

Did you change your set up at all before this ride?

I did not change my set up- but I do fast(ish) long distance on the geared bike whilst most of my day to day riding is on the fixed.

I've got two sets of Spesh BG wedges in my left shoe for the fixed but have not got round to getting more to put in the road shoes, so that might be a clue.

To be honest though I think I just went out too hard in the last distance ride.

Meh.

Anyway- weekend full of weddings, so a couple of days off the bike at least.

dammit just rest for now my friend maybe anti-inflammatorys too. Or ice therapy would of been good early on. But say it again... Rest!!

i'll have a little lookie at your biomechanics at your gaff on monday when i'm back from devon if you like?

You smooth talking son of a gun, alright then, see you Monday.

Geared weekends ftw.. although I find running 165 cranks on the fixed and 175 on the geared doesn't help my knees.

Rest, then more riding for sure.

Just rode from Brighton to Eastbourne down the coast road/A259 which is only just over 20 miles.

Quite a bit of climbing and descending however.

Did it on 50/18 and my right tendon is creaking again- and is about twice the width of my left tendon.

I'd like to ride back tomorrow- is this stupid?

Just rode from Brighton to Eastbourne down the coast road/A259 which is only just over 20 miles.

Quite a bit of climbing and descending however.

Did it on 50/18 and my right tendon is creaking again- and is about twice the width of my left tendon.

I'd like to ride back tomorrow- is this stupid?
yes, yes it is, sounds like classic tendinitis, ive had it in my wrist before from rowing, the more you aggravate it the worse it will be/the longer it will take to heal, trust me on this, if you aggravate it, it will take months to get better. . . i had it really bad i only recovered so as to be able to row again last month when i had damaged it in april! though you have to take into account that i was rowing 6-7 hours a day for a whole week. . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendinitis
swat up :)

you are stupid. Don't ride. Ice it and antiflamms. Rest. Once it's settled look at some appropriate stretches. Pm

Bollocks.

I'll get the train then.

What do I need to do to fix this?

It's becoming a real irritant now.

Technically you dont need anything to sort it, basically (if you hadnt been so lazy and had read the wiki article xD) you need 3 days initial rest to calm the swelling and then 6 - 8 weeks not doign any strenuous activities / possible immobilization, so no fixed fo 6 - 8 weeks, best go to the GP to check whether it needs imobilizing, cause that would suck if you did, like no walking :S

I really don't want to be off the bike for that long.

I really don't want to be off the bike for that long.

get a bike with some gears and don't push it. just cruise.

get a bike with some gears and don't push it. just cruise.
if i were you i would:

• stop riding fixed for the moment, wait a few days until swelling has calmed down
  
• go on the geared and cruise (no high spin or no high gears) take it really slowly
  
• hopefully you havent royally screwed it over so it should be able to take that ^ if not go see your GP asap to see what they have to say
  

I really don't want to be off the bike for that long.

I'm supposed to stay off the bike for eight weeks because of a dislocated finger so I know how you feel. And like you are probably going to I am going to ignore this medical advice. You don't miss your water till your well runs dry eh?

,

I'm supposed to stay off the bike for eight weeks because of a dislocated finger so I know how you feel. And like you are probably going to I am going to ignore this medical advice. You don't miss your water till your well runs dry eh?
WTF!? that ridiculous, for just a dislocated finger pff, i've ridden my bike with broken toes and plowing into the road smashing a helmet the day before :)

That explains alot.