LC and Latic threashold (biking)

[hotrod]

I've been back riding my bike for a little over 4 weeks now. I've only accumulated about a 200 mile base. Usally rideing 2-3 times a week due to the weather any where from a short ride of 8mile to a long of 18. I have managed to bring my speed/strenght up but I cannot get into a good cadence because on latic acid buildup. No matter what gear I am in I will get buildup when peddeling anywhere for 30 seconds to 2 mininites. I didn't have this problem 10 or 11 years ago after about a week I could easily get into a good cadence. Is two low of carbs intake possible causing this or am I just getting older(38) and need more time for the capularies to form.

It only takes a few seconds of coasting and the acid is gone. I don't take heart rate but by breathing I can tell I am probally in the 60 - 70 range. I can get my heart rate up much higher walking very fast up hills than I can on my bike. I also get latic acid buildup in my calfs when doing this. Any ideas? No problem with bonking yet and I am usally under 20 net carbs a day.
Thanks
Rod

[CUE-BALD-1]

Well, I'm not sure I have any authorative answers but my first thought is that it is a geneneral circulation problem and not a lactic acid buildup in the traditional sense. Can you provide a bit more detail on the symptoms?

I would certainly suggest you take this issue to your doctor. It just doesn't add up to anything that I would associate with LC eating.

You might also consider a HRM and studying up on HR target zones just to make sure you aren't pushing your HR up higher than you think. Check in the HRM thread that is up and running now.

[Dodger]

Sounds like you just need to get some easier cycling done to get your muscles used to the cycling motions. Normally cycling will not stress the calves, just the quads. I don't think its the low-carbing or your age. I am 56 and have been low carbing for over a year and a half. I average 75 miles a week on the bike and do a lot of climbing with no problems. Losing weight has definitely made the mountain passes a lot easier.

Try to keep your pedal cadence at about 85-90 RPM. This will ease the load on the legs and increase the heart rate. Keep up the cycling and it will get easier.

[hotrod]

Thanks for the reply Cue,

Basicly what I am feeling is the burn that you get when you start climbing a hill.(but I am on a pretty flat path.). I did do a check of my heart rate( with my watch) today and I was at about 70%(128). Havent taken it on the walks but I am huff'n and puff'n big times on the hills/ I would guess 85%. I usally keep my pace the same when walking up hills wich is about 4.5MPH. I am also a smoker so that explains why I get so winded. I know I need to quit.

After doing some research on base training today. I think it was just that I have been out of shape so long and it is taking awhile for the slow twitch fibers to get back up to strenght. I may not be giving my legs enought rest as I do squats(no weights) 3 times a week. I really don't have any pain after my rides, sometimes a little stiffness but a good walk seems to clear it up. I'm really surprised by how quick my legs have bulked up I gained 3/4" in my thighs so far.
Thanks
Rod

Thanks Mike,
The pain is in my quads when biking in my calfs when walking up steep hills. When in a lower gear I do go longer before the burn but I still get the burn before I can get in a good cadence...Also which may be part of my problems in the lower gears I get going to fast and have to coast. Unless going into the wind and the I can get into a cadence for maybe 2 min before have to coast about 10 seconds. I'm not pushing the big gears I stay a 42/24 or 42/21 most of the time.
Thanks
Rod

[Natrushka]

I don't have anything new to add, I just thought a little more info on Lactic Acid (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=134408) might be useful :)

Cheers,
Nat

[hotrod]

Thanks for the link Natrushka.

Had a good ride yesterday with the first half going into a 9mph headwind with gust of 25mph. I found out that I'm not actually hitting my lactic threashold but just getting anoth to cause a pretty good burn. I actually got in a good cadence and found that once the burn hit a certain stage it didn't get any worse.

Of couarse with the tail wind on the way back I couldn't get into any kind of cadence at all. I talked with a freind I use to ride with and he remembered that I had trouble getting in a good cadence when getting this bike 10 years ago and thinks that it my be the Biospace chain rings. Once he brought that up I remembered that I did have problems with cadence after swtiching bikes. He also said that the difference between being 28 and 38 years old will make a big difference on how quick I can build my endurance and base. I must say that I was very happy after my ride yesterday. I managed to average 13mph into a good headwind(and 17 with the tail wind). I really felt drained after the ride, my legs were very tired but not really sore. I think I need to find more wind to ride into.
Thanks
Rod

[CUE-BALD-1]

BIO-PACE!?!?!? YUCK! LOL

I would never admit that I had a bio-pace crank in my garage. LOL

Consider looking at your crank length. Typical crank lengths for most road bikes are 170, 172.5, & 175 mm. The shorter the crank, the faster the cadence but also the smoother. Also, what kind of cleats/straps are you useing? Have you had the adjustments/alignments of your cleats checked if you are useing them? If you are just useing to clips & straps then are the toe clips the right length?

Just some random thoughts.

[hotrod]

Hi cue,
To answer your question I have a 170mm crank. I'm still using clips and they are the right size but I do need good cycling shoes bout will probally upgrade to clipless over the winter.

I had a really good ride sunday and I realize that I'm just taking a little long to get in shape. I also realise that I need to get in the drops more to go faster. I normally just ride on the hoods unless I got a head wind. Lossing my belly will make it much easier to get in and stay in the drops. I plan on doing some simi serious cycling next year. Maybe some time trials . Thinking about duatholones or triatholones in the future but worrry about running becuase I had a lot of knee trouble when younger, I wish they had a swiming biking duatholone. I never swam competitivly but when younger had several friend who were on swim teams and I could give them a run for their money. I once swam 7 miles on a $50.00 bet(but that was many many years ago).

My other conditioning is going well. Overall I am very happy with the way things are progressing. Now if I only had to money to buy the equipment, shoes and training stuff I needed.
Thanks
Rod

[Coolcat]

Has anyone touched on H2O intake and suppliments yet? I'd be curious to see what's being done here to prevent lactic acid problems. :)

[PurpleStix]

A couple of ideas:

Electrolytes - Perhaps you are getting cramps. I have a supplement with Ca, Mg and K, but also Cr and other elements, which makes it a really good Atkins type supplement.

Essential Fatty Acids - Both linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid 'substantially shorten the time required for fatigued muscles to recover after exercise. They facilitate the conversion of lactic acid to water and carbon dioxide.' Udo Erasmus in Fats that heal - fats that kill

[hotrod]

Hi,
just an update, Plenty of H2O and I only take a multivitamin. Everything is falling in place though. I think I have been pushing the cadence a little too much. Had a long ride(20Miles) with an experncend biker friend and did fine.

rod