It's "knee season" here in Michigan, and this is the opening weekend. It will be about 55-60 degrees here this weekend so there will be people out trying to ride in shorts and doing a few more miles than maybe they should. That means on Monday we will be getting a lot of fit appointments and calls from people saying "My knees really hurt". Some of them will do their entire last months mileage over the span of the next two days. So please keep this in mind:
1. Accumulate mileage gradually and be sure your position is right.
2. Keep your knees warm, warm, warm! Wear tights, leg warmers or knee warmers below 70 degrees (OTC rules for resident athletes!). Use hot cream such as Body Glide Warm FX to keep joints warm.
3. Remember, those pros you see at Het Volk and Paris Roubaix riding in 40 degree weather in the rain have thick layers of hot cream and "weather sheild" on their legs as well as thousands of base miles. And their knees hurt too!
Take care of your knees, and your knees will take care of you.
Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
1. Accumulate mileage gradually and be sure your position is right.
2. Keep your knees warm, warm, warm! Wear tights, leg warmers or knee warmers below 70 degrees (OTC rules for resident athletes!). Use hot cream such as Body Glide Warm FX to keep joints warm.
3. Remember, those pros you see at Het Volk and Paris Roubaix riding in 40 degree weather in the rain have thick layers of hot cream and "weather sheild" on their legs as well as thousands of base miles. And their knees hurt too!
Take care of your knees, and your knees will take care of you.
Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com