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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1316.0. "TOE CURLS" by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD () Mon Sep 25 1989 09:13

     No, this isn't a new body building exercise to train for hanging
    from telephone wires upside down.
    
     I seem to really curl my toes up when I'm cranking. I think it's
    generally due to fatigue that causes a lack of concentration to
    form. Sometimes I end up crunching them so badly they actually hurt!
     
     Anyone out there share in this malady? Anyone cured themselves
    and how did you do it? (I know, it's like the old joke, "How do
    I get to Carnegie Hall?... Practice, kid, practice....
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1316.1how 'bout back curls?USCTR1::PJOHNSONThu Sep 28 1989 00:406
    I don't curl my toes but I do curl my back when I'm going all out.
    I keep catching myself sliding forward on my seat.  I assume this
    curls my back and therefore makes me less aerodynamic.  Does anyone
    else out there have this tendency?
    
    Phil
1316.2curling the Great ToeWECARE::PAMMERThu Sep 28 1989 13:2610
    When I'm time trialing my toes curl down.  I'm constantly replacing
    the footbeds in my cycling shoes.  I notice it happens when my sitting
    and pushing a large gear.  At that point I'm concentrating on doing
    a lot of "ankling"  (pedaling in nice circles with my lower leg).
    So it seems that I only curl my toes when I'm feeling strong.
    
    Most likely an innate characteristic from when we where swinging
    in the trees.. :-)
    
    Jim
1316.3Don't curl your toes.BANZAI::FISHERTwice a BMB FinisherFri Sep 29 1989 12:5711
    If your toes are curling when you are time trialing you are spending
    energy that is not going to make you go faster.  I think it's the same
    as tightening the muscles in your face and clamping hard on the bars
    with your hands.  Those muscles should be as relaxed as possible so
    that you can get maximal effort from the muscles that make you go
    faster.
    
    How's that for changing the subject -- or inducing a new and perhaps
    irrelevant controversy?
    
    ed
1316.4ENERGY DOWN THE CRAPPERWMOIS::C_GIROUARDMon Oct 02 1989 12:115
    I agree with you [.3]. I always try and concentrate on energy being
    expended through tensing energy not being delivered to speed. Some
    times it goes on for miles until you realize it.
    
       Chip
1316.5Spinning MoreWECARE::PAMMERThu Oct 05 1989 19:577
    Yeah, I've actually noticed a difference in my riding style since
    I started doing triathlons.  In order to save the legs for running,
    I started to gear down annd spin a little more.  I'm not replacing
    as many footbeds as a result!!
    
    thanks for the help.
    Jim