Pedaling Technique Article

[Dogmama]

This is a good article. I especially liked the bit about pedaling through zone 3

http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=10418&sidebar=21&category=cycling

[grannydea]

Thanks Dogmama.
Great article. I like to read everything I can on peddling efficiency.
When I started riding I didn't really have anyone to help me with this stuff. I like to read about what will improve my riding.
Thank- you.
Dea

[han-grrl]

I actually do a fair bit of pedalling drills during warm up of my spin classes. A lot of my participants have said they now notice that they do use one leg over another and are starting to see their pedal stroke even out.

great article

Han

[bikerchick68]

that's a great article... thanks for posting the link!

[annie]

Very interesting article! I thought this next part was a really good way to work on a weak part of the pedal stroke.

>>> Back and forth

This drill emphasizes the application of pedaling force in the areas that are usually in the most need of improvement (the top and bottom of the pedaling circle).
During this drill you'll be focusing on pushing the pedals over, or across, the top of the pedaling circle, and pulling them back through the bottom. Think about moving the pedals back and forth rather than up and down.
After a while you'll begin to develop a better overall pedaling force application by learning to apply force over the top and through the bottom of the stroke. As with the other drills, work on keeping the muscles relaxed.
This drill can be done on any ride at any time. Try and include it as often as possible. >>>

Thinking about moving the pedals back and forth instead of up and down seems difficult at first try, but if you keep at it, it gets easier and it seems to increase the strength of the pedal stroke. To me, it seems to bring more muscles into play. I noticed my hamstrings and calves were a little more fatigued after a spin session focused on efficient pedaling. Shows me I need to do it more often. :p Good stuff to practice in the off-season!

[Adventure Girl]

I took a spin class once on this bike that had cranks that weren't attached to each other... Kind of hard to explain. But you know how when one foot is at 12:00, the other is at 6:00 -- always opposed to each other? Well on this bike You could have both feet at 12:00 at the same time or both at 6:00 (or 3:00 or 9:00)...

We tend to depend on the "push" stroke, and the "pull" part of the stroke just goes for a ride as the other side pushes (push left, push right, push left, push right). This bike was designed to help you work on your stroke on each leg. Each side had to make complete circles. It took a lot of concentration to ride. I think if I trained on one of these all the time my stroke would improve.

[jobob]

what off-season? :D

- jobob (ducking & running)

[snapdragen]

Originally posted by Adventure Girl
I took a spin class once on this bike that had cranks that weren't attached to each other... Kind of hard to explain. But you know how when one foot is at 12:00, the other is at 6:00 -- always opposed to each other? Well on this bike You could have both feet at 12:00 at the same time or both at 6:00 (or 3:00 or 9:00)...

We tend to depend on the "push" stroke, and the "pull" part of the stroke just goes for a ride as the other side pushes (push left, push right, push left, push right). This bike was designed to help you work on your stroke on each leg. Each side had to make complete circles. It took a lot of concentration to ride. I think if I trained on one of these all the time my stroke would improve.

Power Cranks! I saw them demo'd at the Great Western Bike Rally. Major co-ordination required there!

jl