Well, as lushly refreshing it is to have gotten my first fixie, it seems I'm suffering from a pretty bad case of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) from all that back-pedalling (and probably just the serious step-up in exercise). Rode it a bit on friday and the weekend, and yesterday for work, but after just a few hours riding today, I got home and my legs began to stiffen up, and slowly the pain set in. Two hours later, I could hardly walk. Now I'm not in too much pain but getting around the house has become a serious chore.

The last thing I need, financially speaking, is time off work, but I also don't want to worsen things tot he point that I'm effectively temporarily disabled from doing anything.

Anyone else had this? Should I seriously get resting, or stop sissying and ride it off? Tips, helpful comments and scathing abuse as usual please...

Pussy.

Pot, Kettle, Black huh Ironeye?

Yeah, unless I wake up feeling miraculously refreshed, gonna have to take another day off. My legs are in fuckin' agony.

I think the key will be to use the front brake more. I've been trying (successfuly) to use it as little as possible, but I think the back-pedalling and skipping/skidding (well, I had to get the latter two under my belt) is what's caused me to be in such huge amounts of pain.

For some reason I also decided to go clipless, for the first time, on my second day of riding fixed. If you would like to know how this went, ask any of the Pretty Skint riders who were waiting around the office this morning. If they've stopped laughing, that is...

It was so hilariously ungraceful!

050, what's your call sign or are you a hubmonkey?

I would have a look at your old bike, specifically saddle height (centre of b/b to saddle where you actually sit), back of saddle to centre of handle-bars and make sure that those measurements are the same on your new bike. Sounds like you are using a new set of muscles, which would happen if one or other of those measurements is different by more than a cm.

"Stretching is mostly bollocks."

Well from what I gather, there's no convincing scientific evidence to prove that stretching prevents muscle injury. But then there's no evidence to prove that it doesn't. I just do it because it feels good.

I don't get it Fromemory, you have a brake but you aren't using it. Why? Stretching is definately helpful for preventing injury, keeping the body loose from tension and so on. If you work as a courier and don't stretch you probably wouldn't know the positive difference it makes.

You are correct Sheadhead.These guys are ninnies!

there are many types of stretching.
some stretches are designed to prevent injury some to increase flexibility etc.
if anyones really interested i'll post some more info, but basically it all depends on what type of stretches u do, also becareful, cos some of the more old skool stretches can actually do very bad things.

@from
Good luck with the gig mate.

Nik I'm interested.. I try to stretch most days but don't always manage it. When I do its some yoga stretches and the sun salutation as well as some general leg stretches but I don't really know if I'm doing the best thing.
Have also had lower back problems recently. Someone also told me that not stretching the back thigh mucsles? name esacapes me can add to lower back pain. SO any general tips would help

i cant remember all the stretching types off the top of my head cos its not my area of expertise, so to speak, but i'll find my notes a bit nearer the weekend. lower back problems can be helped by reverse sit ups (ie face down), and if your so inclined, dead lifts, with the proper technique, or you could end up doing more damage.

5 types of stetching: Static – improves range of movement
Low risk of injury

Active – develops flexibility and strength,
Stretches the antagonist by contracting the agaonist its full inner range

Ballistic – high risk of injury
Develops stretch reflex

Dynamic – only one shown to decrease the chance of injury in following event
Essentially sport specific, you get the muscles used to what they will be doing in a ‘game’ situation, not sure how to apply it to cycling as I’ve only ever done this kind of stretching when I played rugby

Proprioceptive Neuromusclar Fecilitation – Long and boring and not really sport relevant


Factors that affect flexibility are:

Internal – tendons
Ligaments
Fascicles
Skin
Joint structure
Temperature of joint and associated tissues (especially collagen), if you warm a muscle to 40 C flexibility increases by up to 20%, if it cools to 18 C flexibility decreases by as much as 10-20%

External – temperature
Age
Gender
Time of day

Thanks Bill and Nik, I'm seeing an osteopath so will be able to get a clearer idea from them. Have also considered the cycling specific yoga but its on at the worst time, friday at 6.00?! Things have improved, still a bit stiff, certainly not going as quick but its not painful anymore.
I try to strect for atleast 30 seconds and to the point of almost uncomfortable but not, i.e that I can really feel it....thought it wasn't effective otherwise

oh, and what Nik says is right about over-stretching. This applies double to stretching done on cold muscles - that's why sun salutations are good - you get warmed up, and gently stretched.

Thanks again guys. I think there may well be enough people interested in a cycling specific yoga group certainly from friends I've spoken to...I'll look into a venue and talk to Anna.