How to build memory?

[Fujichants]

I've been wondering about this. Does it just come from riding a lot? Keeping a high cadence?

And...does it go away quickly if you take a break from riding??

[mimitabby]

What do you mean build memory?

[Fujichants]

Sorry! Lol! Haven't had my coffee yet...muscle memory from cycling in the legs.

[shootingstar]

I've been wondering about this. Does it just come from riding a lot? Keeping a high cadence?

And...does it go away quickly if you take a break from riding??

I think I know what you mean....for me, keeping leg muscle memory, is from riding alot or at least frequently. I notice this in myself when comparing winter months where during some months it's only cycling on weekends vs. summer time where I am on the bike 5-6 times per week.


I do appreciate just weekend cycling during colder and darker winter months, it keeps my leg muscle memory alive. It's like keeping the leg muscles strong and flexible enough.

And keeps my lung/aerobic capacity memory alive when doing hills. Both the 2 memories must be kept alive to prevent from feeling like a total unfit dork.

[OakLeaf]

I didn't ride at all for 10 years, and when I got on a two-wheeler again for the first time I thought I was going to fall right off it. They say you can't forget how to ride a bike, but I almost did.

But after a couple of years tooling around for very short distances on a hybrid, I went to a retreat and rode a demo road bike. Several of the leaders (experienced triathletes) commented on how good my form was.

So: it comes back, pretty quickly, even after a long break. No, I'm not as smooth as I was when I was racing, not by a long shot. But your body remembers where to put your weight, how to move your legs straight up and down rather than around in circles, etc.

I'd say that getting it to begin with comes from doing form work - being conscious in your body of what your body is doing.

[OakLeaf]

Just ran across this article about muscle memory in Women's Adventure. Not much advice, but pretty cool.