Cycling is an excellent sport for building leg strength and endurance with minimal joint impact. You use your entire leg as well as core and back muscles to pedal efficiently. Because your legs are the primary mover, anaerobic respiration, muscle injury and saddle friction can all lead to pain in your upper thighs.
Cycling Muscles
You rely heavily on the muscles in your thighs to power you on a bike. Though the muscles in the lower leg are used as well, the quadriceps and hamstrings straighten and bend the leg, respectively. Your quadriceps or quads sit at the front of the thigh and connect with your knee and shin bone. This connection fuels the down stroke while you pedal. The backs of your thighs, or your hamstring muscles, perform the opposite motion; they contract to bend your lower leg.
Anaerobic Respiration
Muscles can begin to burn and cramp when your body moves from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration. During aerobic respiration, you are using oxygen and sugar to power your energy production. When using this type of energy production, your muscles can work for longer periods of time without realizing fatigue. Anaerobic respiration is needed in fast sprints; this type of metabolism powers the fast-twitch fibers you need to move at your highest speed. You also move into anaerobic respiration when you push yourself past your endurance level and your body cannot keep up with your oxygen demand. During anaerobic respiration, lactic acid is produced; this byproduct builds up in muscles, causing fatigue, burning and cramping.
Muscle Injury
In cycling, overuse and muscle imbalances can lead to strains in your thigh muscles. During sprints and hill climbs you may utilize your quads more than your hamstrings. Continuing to perform workouts that stress your quads can lead to strains and tears in the muscle fibers. Overuse of one muscle group can lead to injuries to your tendons and ligaments as well. The hamstrings are another common site for cycling injury; the upstroke of your pedal cycle is governed by these muscles. "Clipping" into your pedals -- attaching your shoes to your pedals -- allows your hamstrings to be more prominent in your pedaling motion, but this also leaves them more susceptible to strains.
Saddle Sores
Your upper thighs can also hurt due to the friction between the saddle and your legs. Going for a long ride, particularly on a hot day, can cause your skin to burn and chafe, potentially leading to saddle sores. If your saddle is too wide or has a built-in gel or foam pad, you run a higher risk of developing skin sores. Traditional leather saddles are best for preventing chafing. Tight cycling shorts can also help, as baggy clothing will lead to excess rubbing; however, too much padding in the cycling shorts will also worsen your condition.
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