cycling and abs...

longtimeterp
longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
...the last two bike rides ive taken, i've woke up next morning with really sore abs. is it normal to have sore abs the day after a long bike ride? i don't remember feeling like this from last fall, but i also didn't start with 30 mile rides, i worked my way up to that mileage?

Replies

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    You engaged in intense physical activity for 2-3 hours and you're surprised that you're sore?
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,559 Member
    longtimeterp wrote: »
    is it normal to have sore abs the day after a long bike ride?

    No ... cycling doesn't engage the abs all that much.

    You might want to check your setup. Have you had someone look at your fit on your bicycle?




  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    longtimeterp wrote: »
    is it normal to have sore abs the day after a long bike ride?

    No ... cycling doesn't engage the abs all that much.

    You might want to check your setup. Have you had someone look at your fit on your bicycle?




    no, i've actually never been fit for it, just kinda adjusted to what feels right
  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    DavPul wrote: »
    You engaged in intense physical activity for 2-3 hours and you're surprised that you're sore?

    its just the abs, though, not the legs
  • hebdenbiker
    hebdenbiker Posts: 24 Member
    I find that fast, technical mountain biking is a great core workout. Road biking much less so. Are you bunny hopping drain covers and stuff like that? Because that will engage your abs.

    I wish my road rides gave me an abs workout :-)
  • longtimeterp
    longtimeterp Posts: 614 Member
    there are a couple miles in the middle of the bike path that are really bumpy and rough. same path ive taken both times ive been sore...maybe i'll try a different route
  • KittensMaster
    KittensMaster Posts: 748 Member
    Are you riding on the drops leaning down hard?

    Just curious

    I arch my lower back and tighten my abs just to work them on long rides. I also try and get very low on the top bar for half mile segments just to reduce drag and lower energy expenditure.

    Do you already have a small waist and no belly?

    I could not easily bend low enough to few air flow over my back versus on my torso until the previous 10 pounds were dropped

    And definitely get your bike fitted to you, and if you have clip ons, wear them to get the show clips set right as well
  • dmkoenig
    dmkoenig Posts: 299 Member
    Depends how you define your "abs". I find cycling can be a core-intensive activity especially on rolling courses where you have a lot of body rotational and stabilization needs when you are torquing on your lower back, glutes, hip flexors and obliques to get you up and down a bunch of hills. You may not be developing a 6-pack but if you do this sort of riding you can definitely feel it afterwards. On a flat course not so much, then it's mostly a leg and glute workout but even then your core provides stabilization to keep good form.

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