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

[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

[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

[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

[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