I'm off the bike, again!

In December I stayed off the bike for most of the month to rest my knee, which was giving trouble from a short period that I used cleats on my old bike. In the beginning of January my knee was better and I thought I could start my training for the Perth to Sydney ride. In fact, I did do quite a bit of cycling as I racked up 602kms from the 3rd until the 20th of the months and only had one long day, being 105kms on Saturday the 16th.

Anyhow, the knee pain returned, but I was keen to push up the distance, so I ignored it at first. Last Saturday I was planning to attempt my maiden imperial century (100 mile / 160km) ride again, but lying in bath the Friday night, my knee had a cracking sound when I bent it and quite a bit of pain when I pulled it in all the way. So, probably a little too late, but I decided not to push it any further. Turns out to have been a good decision as Saturday was 42.5°C and I would have suffered out there:)

Bla, bla, bla... so now I'm off the bike again!! I do have an appointment to see a physio on Thursday and I'll make an appointment to get a bike fit next week.

In Afrikaans we have an expression "wie nie hoor nie moet voel" which mean "he who doesn't (want to) listen, should feel (carry the consequences)". And well, that's me! I asked about this pain on the BNA cycling forums weeks ago and everyone said don't ignore knee pain or try to sort it out yourself - go see an physio and get a professional bike fit! But Dirkie didn't listen... I've just been to doctors so many times in the last 12 months, I just want to stay away. In this case, however, it seems to have been the wrong decision.

Anyhow, we'll see what the physio says on Thursday.

Alright, we *may* be getting there.

I went for a professional bike fit last Thursday. Funny thing is that the weekend before I raised my seat a bit more and I thought things were getting better. Anyhow, the bike fit did not turn out very well. The guy seemed very confident and I liked their setup and think I'll make that my local bike shop of choice, but just about everything hurt more than before.

Cycled home on Thursday from the bike fit and my knees and butt hurt. Strangely enough my leg muscles also burnt like I'd just climbed a major hill and that stuck with me for most of Friday as well. Didn't ride again until Monday morning when the pain was really bad! I had a sharp, shooting pain at the top of both knees with every resolution.
At the office I looked at where he'd put my seat and it was way higher than before, so I dropped it a good bit. Cycling home my knees and butt was better, but my shins (?? front side of my lower leg, just below the knee) where hurting on the inside. Got on the internet and I found an article by Sheldon Brown which talks about the natural angle of your feet:



I know that I have both knock-knees and <whateveryouwannacallit>, my feet naturally twists outwards. So, I adjusted my cleats so that my feet turn outwards... and... this morning was the most comfortable ride I've had on the bike yet. It is only a 23km ride, so I don't want to get too excited yet, but I think things are getting better.