Hill hero to zero

[Pot Odds]

Feeling a tad frustrated - I used to relish my local hills but over the last 2 months have really been struggling compared to earlier in the year. I'm significantly slower up the same hills and riding them in higher (easier, spinny gears) - its really rather baffling / frustrating.

I've not really put any weight on - a couple of pounds but nothing significant.

I'm also feeling more tired over the same length rides compared to earlier in the year.

It really does feel that as soon as I'm trying to put any power down the wheels feel glued to the road - its had me looking at the brakes whilst riding to make sure nothings rubbing etc.

I've also noticed on recent rides that my calves are getting fatigued and feeling stretched during the ride which is a new one for me - infact my quads feel less engaged in the process wheras earlier in the year they felt like they were driving my pedal stroke and felt strong.

The only changes I can think of are........im now riding clippless having made the transition a couple of months ago. This is possibly around the timeframe I've noticed things. I raised the saddle slightly when moving to clipless as i thought there was poss more of a platform under my feet - i raised it again ever so slightly in the last couple of weeks (poss correlates to calf feeling as described above). One of the cleats feels ok but the other feels as though its not quite as far forward as id like ideally but there is no further adjustment available.

I've also been told the rear hub bearings need replacing on my Racing 5's - there is lateral play in the cassette at the moment (it twists quite noticeably when you jiggle it by hand) - not sure whether that would have any significant impact ?

I've recently been to see the quack as I've had intermittent chest flutters or tightness (rather difficult to describe but thats probably as close as it gets) and as I'm over 40 you don't fk about - blood test and ECG show nothing untoward. Got an exercising ECG shortly but GP said was only as a precaution she wasn't overly concerned. None of the symptoms seem specifically related to hard exercise - have noticed it whilst at ease.

So what do people think......is it a question of reversing any changes made till it comes good ? If anyone has any setup thoughts around what might cause calf fatigue/stretching that'd be appreciated.

All in all a bit frustrating as I was aiming for a C2C later in the year and a few months ago felt it was achievable wheras I'm now beginning to doubt it given a 50 miler 2 weeks ago left me hanging with cramping calves in the last mile (again a new one).

Putting things down helps to think it through but any ideas welcome.

Cheers PO

[rs4al]

A bikefit would sort any issues you have with cleats and saddle height, I was sceptical but now have had two bike fits (for two different bikes) and after each one, cycling has become more efficient and comfortable.

[JEA1K]

If you're not experienced in terms of setting up bikes then as above, a fit should sort out these issues. Your calves shouldn't be getting engaged so fatigue in them shouldn't be an issue ... your seat is possibly too high and you're having to use the calves to extend to the longest position in the pedal stroke (just a guess).

I wouldn't worry about your fitness ... probably all in the mind, concentrate on getting comfortable and efficient and you'll feel confident to train and achieve what you've set out to do.

[Pot Odds]

Had been thinking it might be time to bite the bullet on one even before this recent downturn.......

I'm test riding a couple of bikes this week (for those who read my previous thread (just resurrected) I can prevaricate along with some of our forum greats!) and regardless of whether I pull the trigger a bike fit would seem like a sound investment.

Im based in Fleet, Hampshire - any suggestions of a good local(ish) fitter and an idea of what they typically cost ? Don't mind a bit of travel for a good recommendation.

Any other thoughts in the meantime on my original post would be most welcome.

Cheers

PO

[944fan]

How often do you ride and when was the last time you had a break?

I was training for a half ironman recently and towards the end I was fked. Everything was an effort. I had a week off and then a week of easy work and feel so much better now.

[Fluffsri]

Pot Odds said:

Had been thinking it might be time to bite the bullet on one even before this recent downturn.......

I'm test riding a couple of bikes this week (for those who read my previous thread (just resurrected) I can prevaricate along with some of our forum greats!) and regardless of whether I pull the trigger a bike fit would seem like a sound investment.

Im based in Fleet, Hampshire - any suggestions of a good local(ish) fitter and an idea of what they typically cost ? Don't mind a bit of travel for a good recommendation.

Any other thoughts in the meantime on my original post would be most welcome.

Cheers

PO

Pedal heaven carry out a bike fit. Takes about 3 hours and they give you all the data. IIRC its £200 ish.

[ALawson]

Whilst the Pedal Heaven chaps are great, I would spend £50 at Boutique Cycles in Hook. They spent 2.5hrs fitting me on my own bike, this was from cleats upwards and it made a real difference. BC can charge you £250 for a fit if you are buying a custom frame from them if money is no object.

Do any of the people you ride with comment on your cycling style/setup as its amazing what you can spot in others but not yourself.

(Also based in Fleet).

There is a good article in Cyclist this week about improving on hills, common sense but a good read and something I will try and implement.

[Fluffsri]

ALawson said:

Whilst the Pedal Heaven chaps are great, I would spend £50 at Boutique Cycles in Hook. They spent 2.5hrs fitting me on my own bike, this was from cleats upwards and it made a real difference. BC can charge you £250 for a fit if you are buying a custom frame from them if money is no object.

Do any of the people you ride with comment on your cycling style/setup as its amazing what you can spot in others but not yourself.

(Also based in Fleet).

There is a good article in Cyclist this week about improving on hills, common sense but a good read and something I will try and implement.

Didnt even know there was a bike shop in Hook!!

[TSCfree]

Take a week off the bike and study the multitude of bike fits vids on you tube or related articles. Use the time to properly play with your set up. No massive miles, No massive efforts,concentrate on technique and adjust to suit. Report back after that and if you still can't sort it, pay for a bike fit.

[Pot Odds]

ALawson said:

Whilst the Pedal Heaven chaps are great, I would spend £50 at Boutique Cycles in Hook. They spent 2.5hrs fitting me on my own bike, this was from cleats upwards and it made a real difference. BC can charge you £250 for a fit if you are buying a custom frame from them if money is no object.

Do any of the people you ride with comment on your cycling style/setup as its amazing what you can spot in others but not yourself.

(Also based in Fleet).

There is a good article in Cyclist this week about improving on hills, common sense but a good read and something I will try and implement.

I knew there was a bike builder/shop in the Murrel Green Industrial Estate but didn't know they did fits. Was your £50 fit recent (or mates rates ?) as that seems like a bargain for 2.5 hrs compared to youtube figuring it out for myself ?

Thanks

PO

[ALawson]

Fluffsri said:

Didnt even know there was a bike shop in Hook!!

Its between Hartley Witney and Hook, opposite the double car sales lot in a mini industrial estate.

[hantsxlg]

slightly OT... but was it one of you guys I spotted a week back cycling up Bracknell Lane (hartley wintney) in a Piston Heads cycle top??

http://www.boutiquecycles.co.uk/

They looks to sell some very tasty kit...

[ALawson]

Pot Odds, that fit was maybe Jan 2015 and was the going rate back then.

I was cycling around HW last weekend and yesterday in the red/black/white PH top so maybe.

[Pot Odds]

Not me if it was up bracknell lane (although out in pH top more often than not).

My route through the village comes in via west green road (where the victoria hall is), along the a30, right at yellowjacks roundabout and then i normally go round the cricket green, up mount pleasant, across the fleet road and head up out of the village by st marys church (hoping that the fkers haven't left drawing pins up by taplins farm again !)........so definitely not me

[ALawson]

Were you got with a group at 7pm on a midweek night last week going over the railway bridge by the Station (blue/white frame).

[Gruffy]

Pot Odds said:

Im based in Fleet, Hampshire - any suggestions of a good local(ish) fitter and an idea of what they typically cost ? Don't mind a bit of travel for a good recommendation.

If you go for a fit I'd recommend The Bike Whisperer. Worth the short journey. I've had a couple of fits over the past 18 months and wasn't impressed with any of them until now. He's popular and generally recognised as the best fitter out there. Cost was ~£265 plus any orthotics you might need as a result. If your current setup is a long way out you might need a new stem too. Not the cheapest option but much better value than a cheaper option that doesn't really do the job properly.

[Pot Odds]

ALawson said:

Were you got with a group at 7pm on a midweek night last week going over the railway bridge by the Station (blue/white frame).

Doesn't sound like me......White Boardman (no blue)

All my mid week rides last week took me out via Winchfied village then church and then off towards RAF Odiham - i'm also sporting the MTB top until the next order comes in and normally a camelbak so not easily spotted from behind.

Sounds like there's a few of us out there

Edited by Pot Odds on Monday 25th July 12:42

[Rob_T]

electrolyte depletion.

magnesium and potassium levels.

eat more bananas and green vegetables!

[Fluffsri]

hantsxlg said:

slightly OT... but was it one of you guys I spotted a week back cycling up Bracknell Lane (hartley wintney) in a Piston Heads cycle top??

http://www.boutiquecycles.co.uk/

They looks to sell some very tasty kit...

Could have been me, I was out that way last week. Its one of my fave tops lol.

[scubadude]

If you've not had one- Yes, get a (competent) bike fit, highly recommended.

Oh and PLEASE, double and triple check the below, chase your GP up, get a second opinion and/or pay to see a specialist. 40+ & Chest tightness should not be checked once and left, its a keep checking and be cautious thing at the very least.

Pot Odds said:

I've recently been to see the quack as I've had intermittent chest flutters or tightness (rather difficult to describe but thats probably as close as it gets) and as I'm over 40 you don't fk about - blood test and ECG show nothing untoward. Got an exercising ECG shortly but GP said was only as a precaution she wasn't overly concerned. None of the symptoms seem specifically related to hard exercise - have noticed it whilst at ease.