How to bike with less stress on the calves I have a condition called functional PAES, which is caused by the calf muscles compressing the popliteal artery. My doctor recommended activities that would not put much stress on the calves, and while biking may not be ideal, it is much better than walking or running. Do you know tips or techniques to would make me depend less on calf muscles when riding?

The two changes I have made so far are:


Adjusting the seat to be lower than it should be.
Pedaling with the instep of the foot, never with the sole.


Do you agree that those changes will reduce the stress on the calves (even if they make my pedaling more inefficient)?

p.s. PAES is a very rare condition, and it is very hard for me to find support in the real-world in the country where I live, so I have no other choice than figuring out by myself how to live with it. It is definitely possible to change the lifestyle to handle functional PAES, see this ballet dancer case study for example.
If you are using clipless pedals, then mid-sole cleat positioning is sometimes recommended to triathletes specifically to reduce load on the calves (eg).

I haven't used it myself, but it might be worth a look.

Here is another question discussing mid-foot cleat positioning (with no super clear consensus)