I have cycled for many many years, and started principally because i had problems running and doing prolonged excersise at school. I was told i had tight ham-strings, short achilles tendons and flat feet - not the best combination for sprinting or long distance! My problem is that although cycling has provided me with a means of keeping fit, i now have very over-developed calf muscles. It seems that i use my calf muscles more than my thigh muscles to power myself forward. Although they are not painfull or stiff, aesthetically, they are less than pleasing.
I have been told various things to change them - including allowing atrophy to set-in (not very helpful as cycling is my only form of transport as well as my chosen form of excersise), to certain types of stretches.. but i'm not sure whether anything is working.
Does anyone know how i can re-train my muscle groups so that i use upper-leg muscle groups rather than my calves - or any stretches that would help to lengthen and tone them so that the main calf muscle is more defined and less bulky?
I do not have access to a gym, and cycling and stretching are my only ways to tackle the problem.
Thanks