eep - "bikers thigh"??

OK - so this past year I've bumped up my mileage to maybe twice the amount I used to ride.

And I can see the change in my legs! If I tense my thigh I can see this "ridge" of muscle running diagonally along the top, with an obvious "valley" running parallell to it...

That may not sound so strange, but I've been fairly fit and the same weight for the last 6 or 7 years, (plus minus a little round the middle ;) ) and seeing my body changing shape is, well - just a little bizarre. But hey - I like it!

Anyone else notice changes like this just from increasing mileage?

hee hee, yup... i actually noticed the opposite even more, though! i spent three months not riding (traveling, and then i got sick) and lost a LOT of muscle... :eek: :eek:

i was wearing shorts a few weeks ago and my mom goes "wow! you look great! your legs are so thin!" and i was like "yeah, that's because they have no muscle!" :rolleyes:

but yes, now that i'm riding again, the muscle gain is noticeable-- which i like more than "thin legs" :D

I don't think my legs have ever looked better. Very nice and toned! Some pants are sort of tight on my thighs. A little too tight. hmmm.

Oh no! Don't tell me this... The last thing I need is bigger thighs. I always have to have pants altered as it is since I have big thighs and hips and a small waist. :eek:

luuuuuv my biker-legs! Luuuuuv my sweetie's biker-legs!

HAHA...my hubby and I have been pedaling alot more lately! Nothing more romantic than standing around nekkid post-ride/pre-shower comparing new ridges in leg muscles!!!! :p

My legs are definitely more toned thanks to cycling and yoga. I've lost a little girth in my calf, uppermost thigh and (oddly enough) ankle, but my lower quads are bigger and noticeably more muscular. Putting their actual appearance aside, however, I love hard hard they feel to the touch. I'm quite proud of them. I love the tan line from my bike shorts, too.

I love the defined quad muscles, but I can do without the tan line. I have other shorts that are shorter than bike shorts, and it looks kinda freakish. Nevermind a bathingsuit! :eek:

Emily

Bikers' thighs—and calves—are sexy as heck on both men and women! And, ladies, this is where we have an advantage over men: Women aren't expected to have matching definition up top. The pros are lovely to look at from the waist down, but the spaghetti arms can be a little freakish, don't you think?

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

I love the defined quad muscles, but I can do without the tan line. I have other shorts that are shorter than bike shorts, and it looks kinda freakish. Nevermind a bathingsuit! :eek:

Emily

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You got that right. I'm proud of my muscular legs/glutes!. The tan lines are interesting, as the top of my thighs are dark, shins/calves are a tad lighter, and my feet are white. I use self-tanner on my feet, though, because my summer work wardrobe consists of long skirts with flat shoes.

The difference in skintone between my arms and hands is more noticeable. Looks like I'm wearing white gloves!! LOL

Indy, what you're losing in the ankle is either water or fat. Good news in either case!

Last week when we stopped to treat my dogbite, a guy leaned over and said "My wrist is bigger than your ankle." He was right. :p

Ha ha, I've been fighting an urge to post the same thing. :)

I got a bit flabby in the past year so when I started cycling the new muscles hid under the flab at first, I went up two sizes in pants when I first started riding a lot but now my legs are firm and tan (albeit with funny tan lines!) and I just love looking at them in the mirror and strutting around in short shorts. What can I say? I like having nice legs!

And I agree that cycling legs are really hot on the guys as well.

I was following a group of three guys last night and though I wanted to go faster than their pace (I was late for my bike fitting!) I stayed in behind them to observe their powerful, round, um, pedal strokes for several miles. :D

I was so hypnotized that I almost turned and followed them up an utterly demoralizing hill. But then as I passed them ... chicken arms. I could have taken any one of them in an arm wrestling match!

Anne

I continue to be amazed by the transformation my body has undergone these past three years. I love my muscles! I think I'll keep riding:D

I am fascinated by the change in my legs just in the four months I've been riding. I can't believe I'm getting this much muscle definition so quickly! And I love it!

I love the look of my calves these days, but the best part so far for me is my thighs. I don't think the actual size has changed much, but they are definitely more muscular and less flabby. I can see that line of muscle running up the tops of my legs...it looks awesome! I've also noticed that the fat on the back of my thighs is not as bumpy and the flab on my inner thighs is not so flabby! I still have quite a ways to go, but I'm excited that just a few months of riding can make such a difference! I have no fear of thunder thighs...as long as the thunder is muscle instead of flab!!!

I'm fairly new to cycling ... and I'm already loving the little differences I'm noticing in my legs. Can't wait to see them get better and better. I'm even noticing a little bit of a difference in my arms.

Hey ... what happens to cyclists' butts?! I'd REALLY like to lose the cellulite on the backs of my thighs and my butt! Is this going to happen? DH says hill work works on those areas and I do feel it. Just wondering what difference I'll see eventually.

By the way, DH has some SERIOUS cycling thigh muscles! It's crazy how his thighs have changed in the last few months. He's also got major cycler tan, something I go out of my way to avoid. I put sunblock on my arms and legs every time I ride, targeting the arm sleeves, shorts and sock areas. I SO want to be tan, but not a biker tan! I've got a little and don't want it to get any worse. Hmmm. Maybe I'll go lay out right now!

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Originally Posted by Jiffer

Hey ... what happens to cyclists' butts?! I'd REALLY like to lose the cellulite on the backs of my thighs and my butt! Is this going to happen?

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I'm not sure if everyone's butts react the same way to cycling, but I think mine is getting firmer, narrower (I guess I mean my hips are shrinking), and maybe, just maybe, it's getting a nicer shape in general. Some of my pants are a little too big these days and I've noticed I have the droopy drawers look going on in the back. So my butt must be shrinking all over!

I want to know if my pot belly will shrink from cycling. Doesn't seem to be going anywhere so far. Since I started riding, I've lost about 2-1/2 inches off my waist but I still have a bit of a pot belly. Oh well, I haven't had a flat stomach since I was 12...I like to think it's genetic. My mom is teeny tiny but she still has a littly belly too. But a girl can hope, right? :confused:

Cycling is definitely good for the legs and butt. I've always looked like a stick insect with anorexia and I'm actually developing muscles where I didn't have any before. Where my trousers (pants) would hang on me, I'm now filling them out. I'm really pleased with that:D

I have always had decent calves, but cycling definately improved them. I love my calves. That is my favorite muscle. I am hoping that running will help to improve my quads and I have started lifting weights for upper body so that I don't have Olive Oil biceps.:D I am afraid that if I start lifting for my legs, I will overdo it with the cycling and running.

I LOVE MY CALVES!!!:p

I too have noticed positive changes in my body since taking up cycling in January of this year. I have to say that it's AWESOME to hear women say POSITIVE things about their bodies !! It's about time !! I think about my daughter and I want to be a good role model for her-ya know ?!? My son too-that women can be strong, beautiful and kick your butt on a bike !!

Blessings!
Susan

I love it when this thread pops up:p

I love my tightening legs. My calves are checked weekly in the mirror and are finally getting a more cut shape. I can see my thigh muscles from the front and side and think it's absolutley sexy! I have suffered from a poor body image most of my life, and biking has been the single biggest boost to my image - better than dieting, lifting weights, etc. When my muscles feel this good, and I'm so tired from a nice long ride that I need a nap, I know my beautiful body has served me well and I strive to take better care of it. It's a good relationship:D And I love my biking tan lines too.....:rolleyes: :p

i've had this photo taped to my monitor since the beginning of monitors. i will never have arrived til i can rival this - which i never will. http://lifeinlegacy.com/2003/1206/OlinekovaGayle.jpg
(it's gayle olinekova)

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Originally Posted by PinkBike

http://lifeinlegacy.com/2003/1206/OlinekovaGayle.jpg
(it's gayle olinekova)

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Actually I think it is frightening. How does that happen? I mean, look at me, I'm basically all legs and I don't look like that.