Fitness

Can I make cycling easier?

When I go on a long bike ride I get a pain behind the knee. Can I do anything to take the load off this area?
Andrew Price, Castleford

Matt Hart replies: Pain behind the knee is common in cyclists and there are some simple solutions. You may be pushing too high a gear, which puts the tendons of the knee under strain, making the joint twist and track poorly through the pedal stroke. Try lowering the gear and spinning a faster pedal cadence of 80-90rpm. Another cause of pain is poor saddle position. Try sitting stationary in the saddle with the right pedal at the bottom of the stroke. Put your right heel on the pedal and your right leg should be perfectly straight. If it’s not, adjust the saddle height. Finally, cover your knees in cold weather. Exposing them to the elements is a common cause of knee pain in cyclists as it can stiffen the joint.