Few things are more disconcerting than the inability to enjoy a recreation or exercise because of physical pain. Cycling on a regular basis promotes healthy cardiovascular function, tones certain muscles and allows you to feel the wind in your face. Barring an adverse physical condition, most instances of hip pain are progressive. Your hip pain from cycling too much may be due to a lack of compatibility between you and your bicycle.
Physical Condition
Conditions such as arthritis, short-leg, hip fracture and muscle strains can cause pain in your hip. Other physical problems that translate to pain in your hip region are sciatica and herniated disks. Some conditions require medical treatment or physical therapy. Without the presence of a physical condition, your hip pain from cycling too much may be reduced by improving your cycling posture, or more specifically, your back posture while cycling.
Posture
Many people associate posture with sitting, standing or walking. Back pain while cycling is usually caused by poor cycling posture. Bad posture results in using your hips muscles and knees in adverse ways. When your back is arched slightly forward, it allows you to pedal comfortably and absorb minor impact when you encounter bumps. Poor cycling posture is corrected by adjusting your bicycle.
Bicycle Seat
When the bike seat is too high, it causes your hips to rotate downward with each pedaling motion. This may further aggravate a minor condition that is otherwise relieved by proper adjustment of your bicycle seat. Your seat should be set so that your knees are slightly flexed when the pedals are at the bottom of the pedaling arc. A seat that is too high or too low causes you to use your hips and lower back to pedal. Seat height is adjusted using an Allen wrench to loosen a compression fitting, or by flipping a quick-release lever at the base of the seat post.
Toe Clips and Cleats
Hip and knee problems can result from incorrect placement of your feet on the pedals. Your feet have a natural angle when walking. Changing this angle when cycling for long periods of time affects your knees, hips and back. Toe clips are easily mounted on the pedals and they encourage your feet to remain at a particular angle. Cycling cleats and pedal clips are more sophisticated in terms of adjustment, so it is important that your feet and ankles move through the natural range of motion when using cleats and clips.
