Mounting/Dismounting Dysfunction???

[Mr. Bloom]

The issue was discussed in the health forum a few months ago...but it's back...and I think I've found the cause.

My left Gracilis (http://triggerpoints.net/userfiles/Gracilis.jpg) is in extreme pain right now.

Is it possible that I'm using poor form in my mount/dismount causing me to hyperextend the gracilis?

I usually plant my left foot and swing my right back over the seat to mount/dismount. I lean my bike to minimize the lift. What could I be doing wrong? Could it be something else? Anyone else have this problem.

[polly4711]

sorry i can't help you, but i just wanted to say props for being able to mount/dismount with such suave-ness... I have to stand over my top tube, and then mount. ha

[batsheva]

lay bike down carefully on ground. put one foot either side of the diamond of your frame. bend over and pull up bike and it will be between your legs and ready to mount, if you will pardon the expression :D

reserve of course to dismount -- unclip and then bend over and carefully lay it down between your legs and just step over the frame--

might be worth doing just until the muscle stops hurting-- might give it a chance to heal doing this for a couple of weeks...?

bat

[pardes]

I feel your pain, Mr. Silver. Sounds like you strained that muscle, possibly by some exertion maybe not even related to the bike.

I think you'll need to not aggravate it with more bike mounting maneuvers and modify how you get on the bike for a bit. Otherwise you just going to tense up every time which will only strain it further.

Lean the bike over even further and bend your leg a little. That is how I finally mastered the problem. Although, if you have panniers and a messenger bag strapped to the back like I do which is even higher than the seat, that complicates things.

I didn't think I'd ever master the stiffness and pain but with lots of patience and no longer worrying about it, I can now swing my leg over a pile of stuff strapped to the back which is much higher than the seat.

Good luck.

[PinkBike]

i dont think i have a gracilis.

gracias.