Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Physical Therapist Offers Cycling Tips

Hundreds of Milwaukeeans and thousands of avid cyclists around the country will be moving off their couches and onto their bikes to kick off this year’s “Bike to Work Week.” Events around the city will take place starting Saturday, June 6.

Mark Lydecker, a physical therapist with the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Center, offers the beginning cyclist the following three tips to keep you out of your doctor’s office. Lydecker has treated hundreds of athletes at Froedtert’s Sports Medicine Center who suffer muscle strains and injuries related to cycling.

Seat height: Stand next to the bike and eye up your seat. It should be at the level of your hip. Adjust the seat and get on the bike. When your feet are at the lowest part of the pedal crank (6 o’clock), your knee should have a slight bend, around 25-35 degrees.

Seat angle: Start with a neutral position. Begin pedaling and watch your knees when your foot is towards the front of the bike (the 3 o’clock position). Your knee cap should be right over the pedal axle.

Reach: With your hands on the shifters, your shoulders should be around 90 degrees from your body and your elbows should have a slight bend.

Froedtert & The Medical College Sports Medicine Center’s physical therapists and athletic trainers custom fit cyclists of all levels with their bikes to reduce stress, alleviate pain and improve comfort.

In addition, the Sports Medicine Center offers performance enhancement programs to cyclists and tri-athletes aiming to increase top speeds over long periods of time. Athletes undergo testing on a state-of-the-art VO2 max system. The technology measures the maximum capacity of an individual's body to use oxygen during incremental exercise, reflecting ideal physical fitness. They then train for 6-weeks on an individualized program to improve athletic performance.

For more information on the custom fit cycling program or performance enhancement programs at Froedtert’s Sports Medicine Center, go to froedtert.com or call 414-805-3666. For more information on Milwaukee’s “Bike to Work Week” events, go to www.bfw.org.