aicabsolut
09-21-2006, 07:16 PM
I'm a former runner and an equestrian taking time off for school (and lack of money). I just graduated from law school, took a bar exam (awaiting results), and am now working on a master of laws degree this year.
I've had running injuries for the past decade (I was a sprinter/hurdler once). Then a couple years ago, I started having weird ankle pain when walking down stairs and during kickboxing. A million Xrays and an MRI later, and I have osteochondritis dissicans (cartilage lesions) over my right talus. The bones were bruised, causing pain. All weight-bearing exercise was nixed for a while, but I soon got bored with stationary bikes.
I started spinning (seated at all times), enjoyed it, bought some cycling shoes, and worked up to where I am comfortable standing most of the time. I still can't pedal at extrely high loads, especially while standing, but cyclists would frown on pedaling at that low of a cadence anyway.
Once I got comfortable training like a cyclist--working on my pedal stroke, controlling HR levels, cadence training, etc., I started having other tendinitis issues. Turns out my pelvis had been out of alignment too (I saw doctors about back/siatica pain, but they always dismissed me). I tweaked cleat position and got some advice on bike fit, and things have improved.
Nearing graduation (I went to school in New Orleans, so things were a little crazy last year), it came time to decide what I'd buy for my new apartment.. a spin bike, or to actually do something interesting and get a road bike. I'd grown up riding simple cruisers and loved things like pedal brakes :p. My orthopedist thinks my ankle should be about as good as it's going to get, so why not get myself outside?
I settled on the Specialized Roubaix Comp, double, 54. It's the best gearing in my price range (which is high, I know, but I need a smooth ride), and Specialized bikes didn't hurt my pelvis--it still pops in and out regularly, it's only been in rehab since late March and was out for years!). I liked the Tarmac, but the position is too aggressive. And I didn't like WSD bikes, because my torso is tall. I may swap out my stem for a shorter one, but I haven't decided yet.
First day out on it was this week, after finally getting fitted, pedals, and all the necessities. My issue: clipless pedals (entering/exiting), see scaredy cat thread. But once I get clipped in, I feel pretty good. I got comfortable riding a fairly flat stretch in the big ring at a decent cadence, and I love the ride and handling of this bike. If I could just keep it upright when starting up! I've banged it up a bit (mostly on grass), and have so far done more damage to my body than the bike's. I'm no where near able to ride in traffic, which limits my practice time (I live in Washington, DC now).
Way down the road, I'd love to be competitive. I'm not comfortable going fast on descents, and I'm not the lightest weight climber, but I think I could be good at TTs and I ought to have decent finishing sprints. The thing is, I can't really stand up and pedal much at all yet. All of those assumptions are based on spinning and my muscular fitness and body type. But I know I'm looking a LONG way down the road with those goals :). A guy at a bike shop tried to get me to join my (our) school's cycling team. This is when I was buying pedals. He obviously needed to see me try to use them! My answer.. yeah, I wish, but I don't want people mad at me for being the inept one holding everyone back. Too bad I'll only be at this university for a year.
I've had running injuries for the past decade (I was a sprinter/hurdler once). Then a couple years ago, I started having weird ankle pain when walking down stairs and during kickboxing. A million Xrays and an MRI later, and I have osteochondritis dissicans (cartilage lesions) over my right talus. The bones were bruised, causing pain. All weight-bearing exercise was nixed for a while, but I soon got bored with stationary bikes.
I started spinning (seated at all times), enjoyed it, bought some cycling shoes, and worked up to where I am comfortable standing most of the time. I still can't pedal at extrely high loads, especially while standing, but cyclists would frown on pedaling at that low of a cadence anyway.
Once I got comfortable training like a cyclist--working on my pedal stroke, controlling HR levels, cadence training, etc., I started having other tendinitis issues. Turns out my pelvis had been out of alignment too (I saw doctors about back/siatica pain, but they always dismissed me). I tweaked cleat position and got some advice on bike fit, and things have improved.
Nearing graduation (I went to school in New Orleans, so things were a little crazy last year), it came time to decide what I'd buy for my new apartment.. a spin bike, or to actually do something interesting and get a road bike. I'd grown up riding simple cruisers and loved things like pedal brakes :p. My orthopedist thinks my ankle should be about as good as it's going to get, so why not get myself outside?
I settled on the Specialized Roubaix Comp, double, 54. It's the best gearing in my price range (which is high, I know, but I need a smooth ride), and Specialized bikes didn't hurt my pelvis--it still pops in and out regularly, it's only been in rehab since late March and was out for years!). I liked the Tarmac, but the position is too aggressive. And I didn't like WSD bikes, because my torso is tall. I may swap out my stem for a shorter one, but I haven't decided yet.
First day out on it was this week, after finally getting fitted, pedals, and all the necessities. My issue: clipless pedals (entering/exiting), see scaredy cat thread. But once I get clipped in, I feel pretty good. I got comfortable riding a fairly flat stretch in the big ring at a decent cadence, and I love the ride and handling of this bike. If I could just keep it upright when starting up! I've banged it up a bit (mostly on grass), and have so far done more damage to my body than the bike's. I'm no where near able to ride in traffic, which limits my practice time (I live in Washington, DC now).
Way down the road, I'd love to be competitive. I'm not comfortable going fast on descents, and I'm not the lightest weight climber, but I think I could be good at TTs and I ought to have decent finishing sprints. The thing is, I can't really stand up and pedal much at all yet. All of those assumptions are based on spinning and my muscular fitness and body type. But I know I'm looking a LONG way down the road with those goals :). A guy at a bike shop tried to get me to join my (our) school's cycling team. This is when I was buying pedals. He obviously needed to see me try to use them! My answer.. yeah, I wish, but I don't want people mad at me for being the inept one holding everyone back. Too bad I'll only be at this university for a year.