Whilst
cycling has many healthy benefits there are potential drawbacks
to this form of exercise that can be overcome with an effective
regime of stretching. Stretching is a form of preventive medicine.
Cycling is described as a "mid-range" activity, involving a
limited and repeated motion. During each revolution of the pedals,
the leg is never fully straightened or bent to its fullest,
so the muscles are never fully contracted or extended. Therefore
the muscles used to pedal the bike strengthen but also become
tighter and therefore shorter. This tightness can contribute
to any number of overuse injuries including pain in the lower
back, hamstrings and knees. 
Cyclists who put in many hours on their bike are prone to what
is known as "muscular rigormortis." One of the curses of hard
riding, especially in big gears, is a gradual loss of muscle
elasticity and an overall decrease in joint flexibility. Stretching
helps cyclists to make their muscles and joints more adaptable
to the rigors of cycling. Stretching also reduces muscle soreness
and stiffness during periods of intense workouts.
Since stretching improves flexibility and increases the range
of motion, well-exercised muscles and joints will undergo less
severe stress in a competitive situation. Muscles can also last
longer during activity before tightening up if pre-stretched
correctly.
The stiffness and tightness that are frequently felt after a
workout can be brought under control, and even eliminated, with
proper stretching. Stretching keeps the body fine-tuned and
hastens recovery.
Correct
techniques
Stetching
for cyclists
Stretching
for Tri-athletes
