Conference noted::bicycle

    I can't say I've heard anyone complain about shin splints from cycling.
    
    I know I'm prone because I did try running a while back (THE most
    boring activity in the world - okay, watching figure skating on TV
    comes close) and got them. Never had a problem since.
    
    I'm not trying to offend, but how long have you been riding and do you
    understand the rules/techniques of proper rider-to-bike fit?
    
    Chip

    Though I don't know whether or not they were shin splints, I did have
    some significant shin soreness after doing about half of BMB.  (I rode
    4 "centuries" back to back, taking me from Wellsley to Brattleboro to
    Middlebury and back.)  This totaled 470 miles and close to 30000 feet
    of climbing.
    
    Possible causes:
    	I hadn't been riding the bike I used as much I had ridden other
    	bikes recently, so there is a fit possibility.  Though I did ride
    	the bike on the weekends for 3 weeks before BMB.  I also have done
    	a 300Km ride on this bike.
    
    	The difficulty of the rides.  Though I did a loaded tour with a
    	significant amount of climbing two years ago, I have never done
    	anything this intense before.
    
    Rich

     <- The only reason I ask is because I've been under the impression
        that shin splints were impact caused. I really don't know if a
        low impact activity can cause them...
    
    I've gotten funny aches and pains from hammering too hard/too often.
    Some comeback when I subject myself to similar abuse, some don't.
    
    If this is chronic, get checked for fit. If it isn't fit, I'd suggest
    an MD. I know you know, it's no fun being in pain while trying to enjoy
    an activity you really like.
    
     Chip

    
    
    Re: .1
    
    Ive been riding for about 3 years.  This year I have logged about 1500
    miles so far and Im shooting for 1800. 
    
    Ive been fitted to the bike and even refitted (without too much
    adjustments)  Like I said they seem to come on more when Im climbing.
    And it's really only my right leg.
    
    I am going to get it checked out by an MD and hopefully get a referral
    to a sports medicine clinic.
    
    Just wanted to post this to see if anyone has had the same experience.
    
    MikeR  
    

    Mike,
    
         Do you ever notice that your toes are moving around?  Some times
    when I ride a tough course my toes will tend to move around ( don't
    ask why because I don't know :-) ).  It seems that when this happens
    the muscles around my shin will get sore.
    

    > okay, watching figure skating on TV comes close
    
    Chip, here was me thinking you like hockey :-)
    

    <- Love hockey! Played it (as a youth). Wait a minute... Are you
       comparing the delicate "tights-clad" waddling to an action
       packed, contact filled, dentist-loving sport??? :-)
    
       That'd be like comparing the TdF to an ice cream run!
    
       Chip

>    <- Love hockey! Played it (as a youth). Wait a minute... Are you
>       comparing the delicate "tights-clad" waddling to an action
>       packed, contact filled, dentist-loving sport??? :-)
    
    There's something wrong here. Chip and myself actually enjoy something.
    The same something? Can't be... :-)
    
    Anyway, hockey - the only sport with uglier athletes than cycling (and
    why I was never any good at either :-)
    
    Graham.

    don't worry Graham, it's not the same sport.  Chip's sport is one
    where the goal to maim and bruise while pretending to play a game
    on ice.
    
    ok, ok, :-)
    
    ed

    
    No, that is the same sport... :-)
    
    graham.

    That IS the goal I remember... Did they change the rule for the wimpy
    panty-waist '90s type a guy???
    
    What's next? Rubber sticks? 2 minute periods? No slap shots? Padded
    boards?

    
    To stop the game half way through for tea, like they do in cricket.
    Much more civilised, don't you know, old boy...
    
    Graham.

    I had some soreness in my right leg this year and I thought it was the
    result of having that leg beat up in the accident I was in.  But a few
    weeks ago I was talking to Guy at Tony's in Nashua and told him I was
    thinking if going back to clips because my clipless seemed to be
    causing me some pain and it was getting worse.  He told me that because
    my leg had been messed around that I might need to have the cleats
    realigned, which I did and then rode the GSW Seacoast on Saturday and I
    was surprised how good things felt even after pushing myself hard for
    10 miles back to check-in.

    So if you have clipless you might want to think about alignment if you
    haven't already done that.  Which you probably have if you do have
    clipless.  And maybe it is something else and you should see a DR. One
    that is good in Sport Medicine, which must be hard (impossible??)
    to find.  I have a friend that is a chiropractor here in Manchester NH
    and I would trust him to be good, and he does run a sports clinic
    too.  Although he runs and doesn't bike and I've never had the occasion
    to use him.

    rich.

    
    
    Well,
    
    I went to the MD this morning and he feels I have something called
    tibial periostitis.  It's an inflammation of the bone covering of the
    lower leg.  
    
    He suggested taking a week off and then some therapy and exercises
    to help make the problem go away.  Also I should ice it after each
    ride whether it hurts or not. 
    
    So, as much as it will hurt, not to ride for a week, Ill take his
    advise and see what happens.  
    
    
      Thanks for all your suggestions.
    
    MikeR

     Good luck...
    
     Chip