Excellente' ST..........As soon as I get a few bucks in I'm going to pick up a set of these!!

Thanks Amigo.......

J_S_ is right on about the Eccentric training.
I have a Cross bike that's not made for serious off road use but will handle more surfaces than a dedicated road bike.
Toe cages don't work well if you want to take your bike off-road. They tend to snag on brush and can make it hard to get free in case of a sudden unexpected dismount
You can buy the biking shoes/pedals that clip together and allow you to get that Eccentric workout but if you don't want to spend the money, you can wear your favorite shoe and use a strap type system that is much cheaper and gives you the best of both worlds for a fraction of the price.

I have these, but there are other brands too.

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Eccentric training is pretty standard fitness protocol. When you're working out on weights (including gym machines), they always tell you to lift the weight slowly and (important) to let it down slowly as well - that's the eccentric part of the cycle.

You might have noticed hiking downhill can be hard on the knees, especially if you have a heavy load (like on a steep downhill portage). That's because you're forcing your quads to work eccentrically when they haven't been trained for it. Working extra-hard on concentric contraction (normal cycling, uphill hiking) really isn't a substitute.

Not to worry........I have a big heavy mountain bike with big fat tires. In the winter the wind picks up and absolutely kicks my arse, usually on the way back .

Picked up a spare tube and co2 cartridge as well as digital mileage/speed indicator. It would be interesting to see the mileage in a few years.

mastertangler wrote on Sep 25^th, 2011 at 8:12pm:

Just remember that your objective is more about muscle than mileage.  If you think you need more of a workout, lower your tire pressure and/or add a bit a drag to your rear brake.  Its amazing how much more energy it takes to peddle a "de-tuned" bicycle.

dd

Eccentrically? Oh boy do I have a lot to learn about biking.....I have never heard of such a word (although a few folk have called me something close ).

I did a smidge over 20 miles this morning before church with no ill effects on the knee, but I did have a tough time stayin awake during service   .

Biking......I can see getting passionate about it especially since I have such a superlative place to do it. I have decided my goal this winter is to go around the big "O" which would be right at 100 miles. It is all flat so I think I have a good shot if the wind doesn't kick up.

Thanks Joe for introducing me to a different concept. I will have to look into that a bit. 

mastertangler wrote on Sep 21^st, 2011 at 12:35am:

Yes, cycling is one of the best things you can do if you have knee problems: it builds up the quads, which hold the whole middle leg together, without the damaging stresses you get in sports like running.

Make sure your bike pedals have cages (ie not like most mountain bikes) so you can work the muscle "eccentrically" on the upstroke. (Eccentrically = the muscle does work while lengthening rather than contracting).

Cycling can give you a good cardio workout too.

Good one! I was hoping someone would play ball.........

mastertangler wrote on Sep 21^st, 2011 at 12:35am:

As little as possible!  ( Sorry, I couldn't help it)

Nice set up, though!

dd

Old Salt wrote on Sep 20^th, 2011 at 8:03pm:


Awww, you didn't redirect nuthin.......just glad your back.

My poor trip.......I waited all year, worked my tail off to get ready and then crash and burn. At least the Isle Royale trip was awesome. It has probably all been for the better. I'm ahead on my work and not behind....my wife and munchkin are happier.......and I think I am a bit wiser after having gone through all this.........

Back from the Docs today. He seemed impressed with the biking I've been doing. He said this surgery usually takes 3 months to fully heal. Then he said I could play tennis if I wanted to. I don't play tennis but I could if I wanted to .

But enough about me........what do you think about me?.............. ( Sorry, I couldn't help it)