Scott Martin

This is embarrassing to admit after years of riding, but I don't know how to use my gears.

Oh, I know how to work those levers on the handlebar. I know what it means when people say, "I put it in the 53x11 and hammered." (It means they're full of @#$%.) And I know you're never supposed to ride with the chain on the big chainring and the largest cog, or else your drivetrain will melt and your firstborn will grow up to be a mountain biker.

What I don't know is which gear to use. All my life I've been a spinner. Love those little gears. If I'm riding in a group, I look at what gear everyone is using. Chances are it's bigger than mine. If not, I figure I'm in too large a gear and downshift.

People tell me I have a beautiful, smooth pedal stroke. This used to make me feel good. Now I'm not so sure.

That's because I've noticed lately that while I am spinning my gorgeous spin, riders in bigger gears are disappearing up the road. Many of them have terrible form, which I would be happy to tell them how to fix if they would wait for me.

So I began using bigger gears, and that's when things got strange. Not only did I start going faster -- duh ! -- but the longtime pain in my right knee subsided. Yes, the opposite of what you'd expect.

My theory, unencumbered by research or data, is that a fast cadence allowed my naturally weaker left leg to slack off even more, putting extra stress on my right knee. In a bigger gear, both legs have to step up to get the pedals around.

But what do I know ?

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