Training & Nutrition - I'm not sore, what does it mean?

Did 25 mi yesterday, my longest ride this year, I worked hard on the way back, uphill and into a wind. But I am not sore at all, so what gives? I expected my quads and calves to be hurting this morning, nada!
Is my body telling me I could have gone a longer distance or worked harder(didn't feel like it!)? Am I farther along than I think? BTW I did 8 mi at 16mph tonight and feel ok. I'm no sadist but I expect my body to tell me something.


Chris

wait 'til tomorrow... heh, heh... ;)

What it probably means is that you can ride further and faster.

Have you been building up to the 25 miles?

My legs are rarely "sore" from riding my bike. Not sure of the exact reason why this is...but I suspect it has to do with cycling being very low impact. I will be very sore if I run extra long/hard but I am almost never sore in the same way from extra exertion on my bike. You can overdo it though. Usually my neck, back, other joints, and/or butt scream for mercy on long or hard rides before my legs. Even late in the season when my butt, neck and back can go for hours on end, I find that my joints will sometimes get achy or sore the next day if I overdo it. But, like I said, I rarely have intense muscular soreness from riding a bike like I do from jogging, lifting weights, etc.

Your legs wont feel tired as they would from running (from the pounding). Rather they will feel heavy next time you ride and try to maintain the same effort. Ride the same 25mi at the same effort and compare times. If you can match the time then your'e either fully recovered or not fatigued to begin with ... if you can't match the time then your legs are still recovering.

Just my $.02

wait 'til tomorrow... heh, heh... ;)

Dig that. I want the 2nd Day After report! :D

Ok, Tuesday I felt great, no stiffness or soreness, same for Wednesday. I spent both of those days off the bike due to working OT. I rode tonight for 7 miles with another long ride planned for this weekend(25mi) . It will be a different route but much the same terrain so I can compare. Gonna bump the weekday rides to 10 miles with one day for intervals, just gotta get the work schedule organized or bring the biketo work.

Chris