Road Cycling - Long Ride Recovery Tactics

I had a long ride on Sunday, and for the first time this summer, I couldn't get up early to commute to work. I think I am justified for being tired, but how long do you normally wait to get back on the bike.

I don't want to burn out.

I've read many recommendations to skip one day per week. Why not skip the day after a hard/long ride?

Another suggestion is to ride slow. According to this notion, you ride in the easiest gear you can find and try NOT to go fast. Just turn the pedals over and over. Do it as long as you like. Just don't do any real work. This is supposed to clear out the "poisons."

Though my long ride has never been a century as was yours, both of these tactics have worked well for me after working hills.

Carl

My former cycling coach would have us ride 20-40 minutes just to spin blood through our muscles. We were instructed to do it without any intensity at all. Just spin ...

It helped. I usually felt better after the ride than before I started.

the best way for me (time impaired) is to recover while on the ride. i have found that buying a coke (yes, coke) and diluting it with water in my 2nd water bottle brings me home refreshed. (coke is 39% both carbs and sugar) - also eating (fig newtons do it for me)

this works better for me than eating/drinking before or after the ride. i just works for me.

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
the best way for me (time impaired) is to recover while on the ride. i have found that buying a coke (yes, coke) and diluting it with water in my 2nd water bottle brings me home refreshed. (coke is 39% both carbs and sugar) - also eating (fig newtons do it for me)

this works better for me than eating/drinking before or after the ride. i just works for me.
My take:

Chomp on carbs during and definitely immediately after a big event. Drink gobs of H2O. Pop an Advil if required. Ride softly the following day. Definitely take a day off during the week. Usually, it's the day after the day after the big ride that you'll really feel it ... especially as you get older.

I do about 175 miles a weekend. I eat 1 pound of animal crackers the day before (Friday) and 1 pound the day after, (Sunday night through Monday night). No kidding.,

oh yeah, i forgot ---> stretch during the ride, esp at stops (this is in addition to the after ride stretch)