Tree trunk calves...

[Nanci]

And they were 14"! I think of them as small and wimpy, not tree trunks! They are _finally_ getting bigger and showing definition, but it's been a long process. We don't want to talk about my quad measurement :-(

Nanci

[happy~biker]

Hi Nanci-

Wimpy.. You must be tall...b/c I am only 5'3, and have the biggest calves out of my husband and 2 sons ages 26 & 27. It was my oldest son that gave me that nick name...I know he's just jealous He just started road biking too.

I rode my bike this morning and just wanted to inform all of you that I had ZERO pain! It's amazing what a day off can do! I only rode for a half hour and went 7 miles. Some hills as I have plenty of those around here...BUT...as Trek420 pointed out that in biking you do use your calf muscles a lot! This is my first time using those tricky clip-on pedals. When I am going up hills, I used to use my arms to pull me up. Then I read on here that we are suppost to use our legs. Now, I understand the feeling of pulling up on the pedals especially when I'm on a hill! What a difference! But, after cooling down I still have no pain. Honest to Pete...it vanished!

I will continue to take all of your wonderful suggestions. Thank you again for taking the time to be SOOO helpful!

I am one happy biker!

[Nanci]

I'm 5'2". Maybe I'm around too many male athletes. I'd still like to have slightly bigger/more defined calves, and much slimmer thighs!

Nanci

[daytvx]

I'm 5'2". Maybe I'm around too many male athletes. I'd still like to have slightly bigger/more defined calves, and much slimmer thighs!

Nanci

Hi all! I'm new to the forum, & relatively new to biking. I had to respond to Nanci's post of wanting better calves & slimmer thighs! I too bike w/ mostly men, & long for the definition & lean-ness they have. But then I remember, they have one thing that I don't...testosterone!!! It's going to take me A LOT longer to get the definition because of the layer of fat I have, being a woman. The definition is showing up, it's just SLOOWW!! And I may always have "thick" thighs!

Thanx all, it's good to know there are others out there w/ the same frustrations & joys in biking!

V.

[happy~biker]

Hello,

I think 15 yrs of running slimmed my thunder thighs down...it does take a FEW YEARS though to really see some definition.

For me exercising is my medicine. It helps me think clearer and stay calmer. The physical part is a bonus...and as a woman I think we need to be grateful that we are healthy and motivated to exercise. We are the minority...

I doubt that any man looks at a woman on a bike and thinks...I sure wish I had her thighs, calves, buttocks, etc...LOL

[Dianyla]

I doubt that any man looks at a woman on a bike and thinks...I sure wish I had her thighs, calves, buttocks, etc...LOL

Um, actually I have been told by multiple guys on multiple occasions that they wish they had my calves, biceps, endurance, etc.

Then again, they were all skinny birdleg types and I'm very curvy on top of very muscular.

5'3.5" with 14.5" calves.

[happy~biker]

Hi Dianyla,

No kidding? So what do you say to the poor birdlegs wishin' they have what you do? I find it interesting that in bike racing they keep the men and women separate. AND since I posted this topic my calves don't seem so huge anymore!

[Sparky]

I am loving this post. It really hits home. I have always been a little embrassed by the size of my calves, 14.5 btw. & have joked that I do not have legs I have tree trunks. That being said I am ok with it I figured out years ago I was not ever going to have those long slender legs.

[bluedress]

I am not talking bonsais, either!

[kjay]

WOWZER, bluedress, do you ever have fabulous legs! I'd maim for those legs! I'd take a pic of mine, too, if they looked that great! Thanks for the inspiration.

[bluedress]

Oh, thank you. Really. (Blush.) I am so glad to be here--you women sure know how to make a gal feel good about herself and powerful.

[bluedress]

We are one formidable forest of power here!

bikerHen: 16.5”
veronica: 16.5”
Maillotpois: 16 ¼”
CyclaSutra: 16-something”
Mtbmargie: 16"
Bluedress: 15.25”
Sparky: 14.5”
Dianyla: 14.5"
Happy~biker: 14.5"
Btchance: 14"
Nanci: 14"
Brandi: 14”

Let me know if I missed anyone's numbers!

[Dianyla]

I love this thread!

[CyclaSutra]

The pic is so fancy because I work at a newspaper and the photo intern shadowed me during a rock climbing clinic.

Frankly, scanning through my iPhoto collection, I was embarrased that I have so _few_ photos of my legs!

I think we MUST get together pre-LRRH or at the rest stops and have the men in grass skirts take some group leg shots of us!

Rember that shot in "Bicycling" mag a few years ago that had a black background and a bunch of cyclists in black shorts lying on their backs with their legs pointed in a circle? Cyclelicious.

[happy~biker]

Bless you bluedress!!!...We are a mighty forest! No wonder that pic was so good CycleSutra...love those other ideas for shots too. Though you might enjoy this whilst you wait so patiently for mine.