I ride about 17 miles each session. After the ride, the outside of my hips sore: only the parts near the outermost joints, most likely the tendon (although this is only a guess). My knees are fine, my ankles are fine, etc.
The only thing that might not fit perfectly for me is the seat height. I'd rather have a longer post so I can lift the seat up an inch or two. Do you think this might create the soreness in the area of the outer hips?
I have personally experienced that precise symptom, from mountain biking rides or from commuting rides.
Although I am not sure what causes it, I have observed that when it happens to me, I have ridden up steep inclines in "too high" gears while remaining seated or seated too far back on the saddle. For these reasons I have changed my pedaling technique a bit, using a lot more gearshifts.
I can also recall that my problems appeared when I changed my saddle for a narrower one, so later I found that to accommodate my sit bone, I tended to sit further back, so I could catch a wider part of the saddle. No doubt I changed my saddle's fore/aft position by half an inch towards the front.
In some rare occasions I have gotten hip pain from riding in too tight, non stretching pants, like jeans, specially carrying objects in my pockets. I suspect the problem here is the pressure the clothing excepts over the hip joint while flexing up the leg. Objects like phone, keys or tools in the pockets make this worse.
Check if any of these issues is affecting you and, if you find so, try changing one thing at a time, to see if something helps.
I might be inclined to try out a different saddle, look for a smoother route, or invest in wider tires (if your bike will accommodate them). If heltonbiker is correct (above), your bursae may be absorbing more shocks than they can handle, causing the pain you're feeling. If you're a woman riding on a man's saddle, consider looking for a women's saddle, as women's sit-bones are usually further apart than men's.
If you're able to consult the medical establishment, it may be worth trying for a referral to a physical therapist. Lacking that, a good massage therapist can be a wonder-worker.
Good luck! I hope you can get back to biking pain-free.
Hip pain is often a result of too much hill climbing in too high of a gear, whilst standing on the pedals.
Years ago, an old friend of mine (who is a fanatic) described this unfortunately common malaise amongst those who clock in 100+ miles minimum per week in the mountains. I am now daily towing two children in a burley on protracted mountain climbs. The total weight I'm pulling is about 100 lbs, and often it is steep. Lately, when I hit the hill initially I stand and use my momentum in higher gears, but this is WRONG! And precisely what's currently giving me hip pain (esp with the heavy weight), since that's the only change in my riding habits.
This is common knowledge among mountain riders. The mantra here is: sit and spin (low gear), don't stand like the Tour de France riders in the alps ... seat height and length are also factors.
Obviously, bike fit is always paramount!
The only thing that might not fit perfectly for me is the seat height. I'd rather have a longer post so I can lift the seat up an inch or two. Do you think this might create the soreness in the area of the outer hips?
The saddle height might be your issue. You say, that you'd rather raise the saddle height up an inch or two. Apparently, you don't feel comfortable with your saddle height. Why don't you change your saddle height by increments? See if the pain goes away, if so, you solved your problem.
If your pain issues are not solved by adjusting your saddle height, you may be running into other bike fit issues or personal physical issues.
Another thing. You never mentioned that you have done any sort of "bike fitting". Poor bike fit can cause numerous pains...shoulders, neck, hips, knees, etc... But, a good bike fit can mean that you arrive home with no pain at all.
Just realized this:
I'd rather have a longer post so I can lift the seat up an inch or two.
Perhaps you need a longer seatpost, but perhaps your frame is too small for you?
I have the same problem at the moment... I am not too sure what causes it but I do notice the pain happens when I power up hills whilst seated in a high gears. I do a 3.5 mile commute everyday with a couple of short uphill bursts. I might try and use a lower gear in a standing position. I am also experimenting with different seats and seat post height, I think since I have lowered the seat height the pain is not as bad. I have also experienced some knee pain
The web site Bike Dynamics has an online guide that could help you find the right fit. To me it sounds like you're going hard. If the thigh is swelling raising the seat could make it worse. Lowering the seat would affect knees so you need to find exact spot. You may also want to look at a roller for your Iliotibial Band, you could develop chronic ITBS if your bike fit remains poor.
I am not sure if you are clipping in, but a pedal adjustment might be of help here as well as that seat height. A spacer of a millimeter or two at the crank might make the difference; it did for me.
