quad/hamstring balance

On 20 Oct 2006 23:15:04 -0700, "km" wrote:

I heard somebody saying serious cyclists have to weight train for
hamstring development to offset quad development from cycling. Since
cycling primarily works the quad, in the absence of this extra
hamstring development (through weight training) they risk injury.

Is this true?

Seems to be a difference of opinion here on the newsgroup. What a
surprise!

I commute by bike 90 miles a week or so. Not a serious cyclist, but
more than most people. I have had a knee problem, which a physical
therapist said was likely from doing nothing but biking. He said my
hamstrings were very tight.

So I joined a stretch class at the Y. I belong to it anyway but don't
go at all over the summer because I'm either biking or surfing.
Surfing is great for the upper body because I mostly paddle around,
but does nothing for the legs. Now I go to my stretch class and it is
remarkable how tight my hamstrings are compared to everyone else. Then
again, everyone else are women so perhaps there is something else at
play. Hey, if you want to meet women, skip the machines and take the
classes.

Anyway, it is a pretty painful hour once per week. And, I've been told
that the hamstrings tighten up very quickly after exercising, so I
should stop before the end of my commute and stretch the hammys.
That's what I do now; there is a nice little park right before I get
to work, so I stop and stretch, then continue on to work.

On the way home, I stop at the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Corona
Park, and stretch there. Then I continue home. It all seems to be
helping; I'm hopeful that in a few short weeks I'll be able to touch
my toes. And hopefully the knee will stop acting up.