Delurking, and question about pain

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi all, thanks for the interesting posts. I just joined the ranks, picked up an EZ Sport Thursday.
Wedgies finally caused too much pain, you know the story. My question is this - would riding a
recumbent cause pain in the Achilles tendon? I was regulary riding 20+ miles on a wedgie. In
preparation for the recumbent, I have been using a recumbent exercise bike. While they put mine
together, I took the demo for a 10 mile spin, and my Achilles tendon is now sore, especially on
stairs. What's up with that? Dan

Dan,

Congrats on your new EZ Sport:-) As to the Achilles tendon issue, check the seat to pedal distance.
I believe though I could be wrong that if you're over extending your legs when your foot is in the
farthest position in the down stroke, it might cause this condition. Have someone stand aside while
you pedal slowly past them to see if your feet are tilting far forward on the pedal in the down
stroke. Your feet need to stay at aproximately 90 degrees relative to your shin. Hope this helps.

Edward Wong Orlando, FL

When I "ankle" too much I get a bit of achilles pain. You probably already know what ankling is, but
in case here is Sheldon Brown's webiste with a glossary.

sheldonbrown.comgloss a.htmlOpen ↗

He explains it better than I.

If I am doing a lot of climbing I tend to ankle. I just watch myself to control the tendency and get
off to stretch occasionally.

Gary McCarty, Greenspeed GTO, Salt Lake City

[email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi all, thanks for the interesting posts. I just joined the ranks, picked up an EZ Sport Thursday.
Wedgies finally caused too much pain, you know the story. My question is this - would riding a
recumbent cause pain in the Achilles tendon? I was regulary riding 20+ miles on a wedgie. In
preparation for the recumbent, I have been using a recumbent exercise bike. While they put mine
together, I took the demo for a 10 mile spin, and my Achilles tendon is now sore, especially on
stairs. What's up with that? Dan

(Edward Wong) said:

Congrats on your new EZ Sport:-) As to the Achilles tendon issue, check the seat to pedal distance.
I believe though I could be wrong that if you're over extending your legs when your foot is in the
farthest position in the down stroke, it might cause this condition. Have someone stand aside while
you pedal slowly past them to see if your feet are tilting far forward on the pedal in the down
stroke. Your feet need to stay at aproximately 90 degrees relative to your shin. Hope this helps.

Edward Wong Orlando, FL

I think you are right. Another rider responded by email on this issue. I am used to riding my wedgie
with my legs almost fully extended and very little ankling. I set the seat to achieve the same
extension, not realizing that I would be stressing my Achilles tendon on the downstroke once I reach
full extension. Lesson learned - I'll move the seat on the next ride, which should be just after the
tendon stops hurting. Thanks to all who answered! Dan