Today I...

The trick was to ride more over the last few months.
You'll just have to get some HTFU pills and grimace your way to the finish.

I've had trouble with my knees on and off for the last year (since I rode to Paris and back) It's fine until I get to about 50 miles and my knees really start to ache.

I don't really think It's a case of taking HTFU pills.

First off I'm going to lower my saddle a bit ( I think It's at the right height at the moment though) ride with that for a little while. Then maybe fit pedals and straps again to see if that helps.

First off I'm going to lower my saddle a bit ( I think It's at the right height at the moment though) ride with that for a little while. Then maybe fit pedals and straps again to see if that helps.

I used to think my saddle was a good height, too, and if anything I kept trying to raise it to alleviate knee pain - it turned out that I needed the saddle much further forward than the seatpost would allow, and of course lowering it will move it forward a bit due to the angle of the seatpost and tube. I then looked at photos of the bike from years before, when I rode it extensively with zero knee trouble, and the saddle was so, so low - I couldn't believe it. I put it back like that and at first it felt silly and that my legs weren't getting a good stroke on the pedals, but I got used to it and sure enough my knees were fine.

I later noticed that the bike in question was very "long" (as touring bikes tend to be), had a long top tube and the top of the seat tube was a long way back from the BB, so probably what I needed was a tighter frame geometry as well.

Knee discomfort definitely isn't something to "ride through" - $hit will fuck you up, now or later in life.

My whole body is fucked. Drugs, sex and BMX aint been kind to me!

Knee discomfort definitely isn't something to "ride through" - $hit will fuck you up, now or later in life.

Exactly my point. I'll try the saddle positions and seat height, it really is a problem when you can't enjoy cycling because for the next 2 days your knees are in so much pain.

I'll be resting it for this week, playing around with the saddle position hopefully finding something which won't leave me in agony then I'll be ready for the DD.

Have you tried swimming? Very low impact way of strengthening your core muscles... it's probably not weakness related, but the stronger you make your legs/knees the better.

Would also try supplements like cod liver oil, and garlic. Quit anything like running, get decent quality shoes/trainers with arch support, and do them up nice and snugly.

Might also be worth investing in a specialist to look over your riding position. I met a guy at the end of the Norwich 50 who specialised in riders, their position on the bike and alleviating pain. Can't remember his name, but I think I might have the flyer he gave me at home.

I would like to start swimming again, something both me and the Mrs. enjoy (she's training to be a lifeguard)

I take Cod liver oil already, apparently there are other supplements which help with joints. I'll look in to them.

I would pay for someone to have a look at my bike position, but for now I want to see if It's something I can sort out myself before paying £££.

Although I've decided I need to get a cadence meter so I can make sure I'm spinning enough. Tried it on the way to work today and my pedal stroke doesn't feel completely fluid, when I'm spinning my hips are moving, could this mean the saddle it too high? (Combined with spds it would mean my knees are being pulled)

Although I've decided I need to get a cadence meter so I can make sure I'm spinning enough. Tried it on the way to work today and my pedal stroke doesn't feel completely fluid, when I'm spinning my hips are moving, could this mean the saddle it too high? (Combined with spds it would mean my knees are being pulled)

Could be, like you're reaching each time to hit the bottom of the stroke?

I presume you've checked basic things like how your kneecap aligns with the pedal or your toes when the crank is at a 3 o'clock position? Apparently you want them in a vertical line, there, which seemed about right to me - not knees behind the pedal anyway. But then some people reckon that's BS, for whatever reason. Fuck knows: http://sheldonbrown.com/kops.html

Yeah that's what I thought. I'm not sure if I'm reaching but the fact that when I'm spinning my hips are moving downward must indicate I'm moving to a certain degree.

I think I've got my cleats set up correct, everything seems lined up well. Hopefully this is just a problem with my saddle position and I'll be back and riding in no time!

In the mean time, I found hamstring stretching in particular to alleviate the sort of knee aching I was getting.

Right so I'm going to RICE it for the rest of this week. Pick myself up a cadence computer too.

Also someone I work with has a ultrasound machine at home which he swears by, so that won't hurt.

I was going to order a ortileb large saddle bag too, but that will have to wait till I've got the cash. I'll use my mum's bag for the top of the rack on the DD (If I make it!)

Things that make my knee hurt:

• Saddle too high
  
• Saddle forward position - had it too far forward which encouraged me to pull up hard.
  
• Cleat position forcing leg into unnatural position - this was hardest to change as it never felt wrong.
  
  

Used to take cod liver oil and glucosamine but not convinced it helped. A decent support bandage helped a lot though, for recovery though, not for riding in.

The thing is at the moment my saddle doesn't feel too high.
My cleats feel fine as well, I pissed around with them for ages.

I really hope It's just a case of I need to lower my saddle a tiny bit and perhaps move it back on the rails too.

The annoying thing is that when you think you've got your riding position set you have to ride for 40+ miles until you find out It's wrong.

The annoying thing is that when you think you've got your riding position set you have to ride for 40+ miles until you find out It's wrong.

Tru dat. I thought my problem was with twisting it but turned out to be pulling too hard up hills.

You're riding geared aren't you? Can you wait til it starts hurting then change gears but hold speed to see if cadence affects it?

I tried that on Saturday. I could carry on but the pain got really bad and I couldn't get comfortable when spinning (Something to do with seat height I imagine???)

I'm going to order a cadence computer tonight (wired as my other shit wireless one spends half it's time out of batteries) and work on my peddling technique. This combined with my saddle down a little will hopefully be enough.

Then all I've got to do is rest up till this weekend spin out for a bit then rest myself for the DD.

I had a couple of hard crashes on the BMX Friday night. I am suffering for it now.

Right knee ans shoulder. Grazed up arm. Bruised palms of my hand. Rolled ankle. Cricked neck & body fatigue.

Good night!

Things that make my knee hurt:

• Being a bad skateboarder in my youth and falling over. A lot. Always on my left knee.
  
• That time I did a solo parachute jump and landed like a sack of spuds, despite all the training.
  
• Stingy nettles.
  

Moved the saddle a little forward, I just need to ask the Mrs. to check my knees from the front when I'm cycling.

I'm going to rest this week though, plenty of ice should do it! Then hopefully a short spin at the weekend to make sure everything is ok!

Been offered a professional bike fit, on the day of the Dunwich Dynamo.

I need to look at in 2 ways I either don't go to the fitting, risk ruining my knees further (over that kind of distance) and worry about it afterwards.

Or the more sensible option I take up the offer of the bike fitting, become more comfortable on my bicycle, increased power output and can actually enjoying cycling over 70 miles again, but it means I'll miss the Dynamo.

Been offered a professional bike fit, on the day of the Dunwich Dynamo.

Who by?

Anna Boden - I found her on Tri Anglia, she's qualified to a SICI level and has fitted many tri/dual athletes and can do fitting based on TT or road positions. Anna mentioned it could take up to 3 hours for the service, this involves everything;

measurement of existing bike set-up, flexibility and range of movement assessment. Modifications are then made to saddle height, fore-aft, tilt, cleat position, handle bars, tribars and stem set up. Once set-up is optimal for you on your bike I then record the new measurements and provide you with a copy.

She's coming round tomorrow so I'll let you know how I get on. I'm very excited at the prospect of not being in pain when cycling over 70 miles.

Dya mind me asking How Much? Also do you still have your turbo trainer? Does it/ did it work with nutted axles?

I have a turbo for sale but you'd need to get a part to accommodate track nuts.

Hmmmmmm. Interested. Pm me the details and how much your looking for. Im not thinking for training purposes. More for bike fitting.