Wrecks, Knees, and Racing...

[ryandalling]

So, after my 4th racing wreck... it felt time to hit the doc and see what was what with my knees... the doctor says I am putting too much pressure on my knees and am doing harm to some knees that are already suffering from years of marathon running. I always tend to question the docs as everytime I talk to them they say "You race motorcycles? Here is a referal to get a brain scan and to see a therapist..." They tend to offer that I need to stop every time I talk to them.

Anyhow, here is the issue... First of all, I do run a lot of miles, and second point, our local track has 9 turns in the setup we run for races... only two of them are real lefts, and the rest are rights.... back to the story... The last race weekend, about 10 minutes into each practice session, my right leg from the knee down was numb and tingling. Then, when I get off the bike, the pressure in the knee is crazy and the arch felt like a knot of pain. All the weight from the corners on the knees was pinching the circulation off a bit. Not being able to feel your toes wasn't much of an issue, but then I wrecked.

Going into Turn 9, I had a decent outside line and another rider went for the pass on the inside. We were pretty close and when he showed me a wheel, I ease off to adjust my line, as I felt that our lines were going to cross. The adjustment upset my suspension and the rear slid out... then the pegs caught on the rumble strip on the outside of the corner and the bike flipped, throwing me into the air with it... after the first bounce, the bike landed on my back and we slid into a tire wall. Big crazy ass wreck, and the corner workers were shocked that I had no injuries.  I totally crushed my back protector... the dianese aluminum honeycomb was crushed... and I had some rib separation and bruising. Needless to say, I decided to head over to see the doc a couple days after the wreck. All that craziness, and he focused on my knees and not any damage from the race. (At least I don't think any knee damage was from the race.)

Anybody get similar knee pain or leg numbness from hard riding... staying on the balls of your feet with the foot pegs and off the bike with your knees out there.... I have tried adjusting the rearsets a lot... but not certain the right fix to it... I don't get the pain or numbness on my 999 when out riding hard on the street... but it isnt like I am draggin a knee on the street. The other thing it could be is the bike... an sv650... could be too small and cramping me too much... or the doc could be right... maybe I should end the race career.

Any opinions... comments... what not... would be appreciated.

[Jaman]

hang up the sneakers instead, only run when chased.

start bicycling/swimming

[Cider]

I don't get any knee pain, but I do tend to get numbness in my feet and calves at the track.  Sometimes it lingers for a couple days afterwards.  In my case, I think it's because my boots have thin soles and I put a lot of weight on a very small area. 

Orginally, I thought my foot might be sliding forwards, getting constricted in the toebox and cutting off circulation.  I bought a pair of Sidis with an adjustable strap that goes over the top of the foot, thinking that might help.  It hasn't been as bad this year, but I still get a bit of numbness.

[OT]

A friend of mine (he's around 40) used to race AMA (won a few races, so no slouch) can't ride a sport bike anymore..knees start hurting so bad he has to hook his feet up onto the passenger pegs so his legs are stretched out....can't imagine what that does for the jewels...

moral = don't overdo it

[Raux]

not that I race.
 but maybe a harder sole boot with slightly flatter pegs would put less pressure on the single point of the foot. and also might allow some movement on the peg for better knee positioning?

[Greg]

LOL - referral for a brain scan and therapist  

Glad to hear that you are OK

[fasterblkduc]

I put in a rediculous amount of track miles between racing and instructing at a performance riding school and trackdays. Most of the riding schools are on a closed course that has 17 turns in less than 2 miles. So I am never on my seat the whole day. My knees hurt a lot but I've found out how to relieve some of the issue...

I adjusted my physical training to a new program. I used to run a lot but now I'm doing P90x. This program rocks! It has raised my fitness level tremendously and I've had huge gains. One of the benefits is that there are workouts that build your support muscles and help with the knee issue by using these support muscles more. The workout is brutal, but I have seen a big benefit from it. I just got back from a race weekend and my legs/knees are not sore at all. Last year after a race weekend, I would be destroyed for a few days.

Also, reading your post makes me wonder if you have poor fitting leathers or boots that may need to be upgraded? Getting gear that fits is an important factor when buying. Staying comfortable is key to staying relaxed. If you are not relaxed for whatever reason, you will wear yourself out and not perform as well as you should.

One quick tip about your crash, never chop the throttle like that even when you are being passed. If you let someone pass on the inside, stay in the throttle at least, even if you are going to run wide. You would be amazed at what you can pull off if you just stay committed. Bumping and rubbing is just part of racing.