The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Does Cycling Make Sciatica Worse? What Cyclists Need to Know Sciatica is no joke — the sharp, radiating pain that shoots down your leg can make even simple movements feel like a challenge. If you're a cyclist dealing with sciatica, you may be wondering: Is cycling helping me or making it worse? As with most things in health and fitness, the answer isn’t black and white. Cycling can both aggravate and relieve sciatica, depending on how you ride, how your bike is set up, and how your body responds. 🚫 When Cycling Might Make Sciatica Worse Cycling can contribute to sciatic pain if certain risk factors are present: Prolonged Sitting Extended time in the saddle can compress the sciatic nerve, especially with a hard or narrow seat. Repetitive Motion Pedaling can irritate the nerve over time, especially if you already have underlying inflammation or nerve impingement. Poor Bike Fit or Posture Hunching over handlebars or riding a bike that isn’t properly fitted can put additio...

  Cycling is one of the best forms of low-impact exercise. It builds cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, and endurance while being easier on the joints than running. But if you’ve been riding long enough, you’ve probably felt it— that sharp or aching pain in your knee . You’re not alone. Knee injuries are one of the most common issues cyclists face , and the cause is often avoidable. Here’s what every cyclist should know to stay healthy, strong, and pain-free on the bike. 1. Overuse: The Silent Strain Repetition is the backbone of cycling—but it’s also a risk. Overuse injuries happen when the same motion is repeated too much without enough recovery. The pedaling action, if done with poor mechanics or without adequate rest, can cause patellofemoral pain syndrome (a.k.a. “cyclist’s knee” or “runner’s knee”). This typically shows up as pain in the front of the knee, especially during or after rides. Tip: Listen to your body. Take rest days, especially after long or intense ...