knees

[Biciclista]

ok, so once upon a time, my husband was told that cycling would strengthen his knees, and would be absolutely vital to keeping him from ending up in surgery again. And it's true. He now has beautifullly muscled knees and to see him walk or ride you'd never know he's had 3 knee surgeries.

So why are my knees always hurting after a ride? It's not like I'm not in shape; i don't believe i'm over doing it. I'm supposedly training for a couple rides (in a couple weeks!) but even after 34 mile ride with 1500 feet of altitude gain, I am sore the next day. It's generalized pain around the knee area; nothing specific, and it hurts to sit, feels better to walk. (I got a foot bench which sits under my desk and helps)

[Veronica]

If I try to push too big of a gear while climbing my knees hurt. If it's cold my knees hurt. If I sit too long my knees hurt. And I'm only 42!

Veronica

[Crankin]

Any time I use the big gear more than just a teeny bit, my knees get achy later that day and when I wake up the next morning. If I combine that with going up and down the stairs in my house or walking/running, it will morph into something more.
Hence, I rarely use the big gear.

[jobob]

Could it be that your crank is too wide or too narrow, or your cleats are a bit mis-aligned for your knees?

If my cleats are a bit off I can feel it in my knees.

Perhaps a professional bike fitting would help. I know they can be pricey, but it might be worth it in the long run.

[SadieKate]

There are so many reasons that a tome could be written. Bike fit, cleat position, q-factor, chronic muscular-skeletal issues, genetics, skeletal structure, pushing too big a gear, etc. Nobody here can give you an answer, only a bazillion guesses.

I'd read Andy Pruitt's and Arnie Baker's books, get multiple someone's to check your bike fit and talk to an orthopod. You may be stuck with it (I am with chronic chondromalacia) but you can't hope to fix the problem if you don't know what it is. And no one here can diagnose over the net.

[Biciclista]

I have Pruitt's book, and I have been professionally fitted and refitted, thanks. In the past you guys told me to slow down for a bit and that helped. I am thinking it goes with the territory. I'll mention it to my doctor when I see her later this month.

Thanks everyone.