Living Car Free and Overtraining

[Bikepacker67]

Since going car free 18 months ago, I find that I don't go on many epic (50+ mile) rides anymore, and I haven't yet toured even once this summer!

It just seems the weekly utility milage (about 30 miles/day) leaves me pooped!

Anyone else experiencing this?

[squegeeboo]

Yup, I've been meaning to do my first century for the past few months, but between all my commuting miles S-F I need the day off on Sat to much to actually go do 100.

[fordfasterr]

same here.

tired as poop =)

[gerv]

Yes... I spent the end of June and early July doing 200 miles a week... most of it recreational. Lately, I'm back to only commuting and transportational cycling. I also try not to hammer it every time I get on the bike. I try to have "rest" days, where I will travel 20 miles or so, but more slowly.

I'm looking forward to cooler Fall days when I might get in a weekend tour...

[Bikepacker67]

Slowing down is certainly something I should be concentrating on.
Not that I'm a speed demon or anything, but I usually have the heart rate up.

Maybe I should spend next week doggin' it.

[bragi]

I still do the occasional 50-100 mile ride just for fun (I particularly enjoy riding to the Redhook Brewery and back), but I never run at all any more; my legs are too tired. At first, this "inability" to run concerned me, but then I came to my senses; if your legs are too tired to run, you probably don't need to run.

I do find that I actually have more free time than I used to, because I don't have to set aside as much time to get in a workout.

[tsl]

I find just the opposite. If I don't do longer, harder rides, my around town riding suffers. And, in general, my around town riding keeps me ready for longer stuff.

I took both bikes on vacation last week, without having done any special training for it. I rode two metric centuries back-to-back on the road bike, and on the other days, I did the most intense off-road riding I've ever done. This week I'm flying around town--in 90+ heat and with the grocery panniers fully loaded!

[Cosmoline]

I'm in the process of moving closer to work by a few miles so I will have more energy for long rides on the weekends. Mid to long range commutes are not the best way to train, at least for me. I have to get up too early and don't have time to do proper stretching or even to get food. So half the time I head out the door already tired and stiff. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to go through a @#$# canyon there and back every day. By the end of the week the thing is a real cardiac hill.

When I was in my 20's and in better shape it was no big deal, but as gravity and age take their toll I find I bounce back much slower. But though the distances are relative, I think everyone needs to take some down time to let their muscles and joints rebuild.

[gwd]

When I first went car free I was doing a 10mile one way commute five days per week. It was a decent base for bike vacations, but I still felt like I had to do longer rides, take the long way home etc. to be ready for long bike camping trips. Now my work commute is way too short and I'm out of shape. When I did the 20 mi /day baseline I didn't feel tired, I felt good. I'm not a fast rider. Maybe you who feel pooped are riding too fast? When I go back to longer commutes I expect to feel tired the first week but expect my body to adjust.

[bragi]

Maybe you who feel pooped are riding too fast? When I go back to longer commutes I expect to feel tired the first week but expect my body to adjust.

I think it's probably the many, many hills I have to ride. I don't know why this is, but every time I encounter a hill I feel an irresistible urge to power up the damn thing as fast as I can.

[East Hill]

I think it's probably the many, many hills I have to ride. I don't know why this is, but every time I encounter a hill I feel an irresistible urge to power up the damn thing as fast as I can.

That's because you know that almost every one of them has a false summit, with the true summit just behind it. At least it seems that way here! James Street, anyone?

East Hill

[joelpalmer]

I go the opposite way. I was (and remain) car light rather than car free, but was commuting and doing most of my shopping by bike in CA. My commute was 25-30 miles a day, with a stop at the store on the way home. Most weekends were spent with my friends who were training for a tour (I was on hourly work so I couldn't go) doing 30-50 miles. The more I rode the more I wanted to be on my bike. It's still the case, but the B'more roads and weather are more than a little discouraging during the summer.

[jimisnowhere]

If I intend on doing any heavy riding on the weekends I make sure to ride my fixed gear all week(w/brake and 23mm tires). Its effortless to pedal. That way I've saved up energy to go out and ride hard on Saturday/Sunday. Otherwise I'll ride my 3 speed cuz its just fun to scream on.


jim

[Roody]

Since going car free 18 months ago, I find that I don't go on many epic (50+ mile) rides anymore, and I haven't yet toured even once this summer!

It just seems the weekly utility milage (about 30 miles/day) leaves me pooped!

Anyone else experiencing this?

Yes, that's a problem for me too.

One approach is to cut down on the cycling a bit. I try to take days off the bike (4 in a row every month when I visit my family out of town). At least once a week I take an active recovery day. I only ride my commute (8 miles RT) and take that slowly. I also do something similar to cross training. I sometimes walk instead of ride, resting the cycling muscles but still getting some exercise. Riding one or two mph slower most of the time saves a lot of energy too, but that's hard to do! Try cruising in the next largest cog most of the time.

Of course another approach is to ride harder to get yourself in better shape. The best way I know of is to do interval training a couple times a week. I do intervals on my way home from work so I can sleep to recover. Intervals allow you to dial up the intensity without riding any more miles. This also helps with weight loss as it increases both stamina and strength.

A third approach is to shorten your daily riding by either moving to a better location or changing jobs. But this is obviously the hardest to do, and darn near impossible for some folks.

[zephyr]

This thread from a few weeks ago came to haunt me the past few days. I've been riding lots of miles the past few months. Typical 30 mile round trip to work, some errands around town, and sometimes a 40 mile or so weekend ride. Not enough rest days, plus some real warm afternoons pedaling home the past weeks added up to a nasty case of fatigue for the past few days. My 52 year old body felt like it ran out of energy. Didn't sleep very well a few nights too, which made things worse.
Three days off the bike now, and I'm feeling a lot better. Walked to the grocery store this evening, the energy level is coming back. I'll be sure to put some more rest days or shorter commute days in my schedule the rest of the warm weather season, that's when I'm more prone to energy burnout. Got to know my limits.

[Artkansas]

Since going car free 18 months ago, I find that I don't go on many epic (50+ mile) rides anymore, and I haven't yet toured even once this summer!

It just seems the weekly utility milage (about 30 miles/day) leaves me pooped!

Anyone else experiencing this?
30 Miles a day is a lot. I used to do 34. I wasn't pooped, but it vexed me that I was spending so much time riding that I could be doing other things.

That much riding takes the fun out of more riding. Move closer to work is my only suggestion.

[oilfreeandhappy]

I toured with a local cycling group last year, and they keep e-mailing me about these wonderful tours every weekend. I want to do one, but like others who have replied, I've been riding a lot. I also play tennis, which can really get tough, after a long 3-setter. Pulling the trailer, and picking up groceries takes it's toll as well. On top of all this, my wife has been wanting me to cycle some trails with her and the dog in the evenings. Guess who would be pulling the tiny-legged Tibetan Spaniel in the trailer?

Darn, I sure love touring though. And I miss it!

[gerv]

In August the heat and humidity are major stumbling blocks. After a 6 mile commute in 90F temperatures with "tropical" humidity, I am just too pooped to move.

However, there's always September! Around here, the weather is dry, sunny, much cooler than August and ideal for weekend sport touring or whatever. I have plans for at least one weekend trip during September and I may also get (like last year) a trip to Minnesota in October. I love cycling in cooler temps!

Does anyone else get a second wind in the Fall?

[Newspaperguy]

Around town, I use my bike for almost everything, all year long. This helps keep me in condition for touring in summer and it helps me cut back on the amount of time I'd otherwise need to spend at the gym in winter. I'm also noticing I have a lot of energy because I'm riding regularly.