Fifty Plus (50+) - How many recovery rides can I string

in a row before I have to start calling them something else? The heat index has been around 100 for the last 3 or 4 days and it is expected to be this way for another week. I have been riding very slow with a low heart rate to make sure that I don't need to recover in the emergency room. Can these rides be used for base miles or am I just keeping the dust off the bike seat?

The first question that comes to mind is: "From what, exactly, are you recovering?" The more intense the race (ride, century, double century, brevet) in terms of time and effort expended, the longer the recovery period.

You don't say where you're located, but with a heat index of 100, it would be in your best interest to teach your body to perform well (adapt) to that temperature/humidity range, as opposed to "take it easy because it's hot."

Regardless, you know yourself best, and (hopefully) how much recovery your body demands (okay, maybe "requests" is a better word!) after your (unspecified above) event.

Rick / OCRR

The actual temperature has been around 100 here for several days. I don't even want to know about the heat index.

I have spells where I want to do more recovery rides than is healthy. Hard day at work- Weather just a bit cool in the evening and At 20 mph- all I will get is a 20mph headwind.

Only trouble is that after a couple of rides like that-I realise that I am missing an adrenalyn rush of tackling that hill at a sensible speed- Or another bike appears about a mile in front so It is hammer to catch him. That means I have done a hard ride so if not carefull- it can be recovery rides for the next week or so.

Well I don't race or do centurys so I may not ever need to recover. So from now on my rides are fun rides and I will try to ride to my limits without slipping over the edge. Bluesdawg is fairly close to me so he knows what kind of weather we are dealing with. I have noticed that I am becoming more accustomed to the weather and my speeds are coming back up on my rides. When this weather first hit all I wanted to do was coast. One good thing about the heat is that all the dogs on my route are not even interested to coming out to greet me. I don't even think that I could call them out even if I offered snacks. There is always something good about most situations.

Being over 50 you are entitled to up to two "recovery" days following a "hard" or "high intensity" day. After two they are referred to as "easy" or "low intensity" days. You can string together as many of these as seems appropriate for your particular situation.

See rule 17B.

Your post suggested frustration with the heat and going slow to avoid heat stroke - smart. We used to live in DC and agree it is bad. Yes, I think going slow is keeping the dust off the bike seat. If you ride slow in the heat, you will get good at riding slow in the heat. The body adapts to what challenges you present. However, continued riding will keep the skeletal system up and you will be ready when the temperature drops. If you want to train, go to spin class. I hear Red Rider runs a great 6AM spin class in Vacaville, CA. It is a long drive though.:eek:

FYI...here is another reason to hate us on the west coast. Last night, my wife went for a training ride after work and had to wear a base layer, knee warmers and arm warmers. Our highs are mid 70s and the temp drops fast after 6PM:D

Well today I went over my limit for recovery rides and now I am into the slow and easy ride category. I have heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit so I am hoping that the temps will go down and I can ride a little harder before this becomes a habit.

I got to visit Kaliornia and I was impressed by the different terrain and weather that the state has. I saw snow capped mountains, desert, ocean, flat and fertil land, lakes and much more. The state seemed to have it all but I know there has to be a got you some where. I hauled home some obsidian from the Davis Creek area and still use it to make a spear point from time to time.

FYI...here is another reason to hate us on the west coast. Last night, my wife went for a training ride after work and had to wear a base layer, knee warmers and arm warmers. Our highs are mid 70s and the temp drops fast after 6PM:D
Yeh, in the Bay Area part of the west coast (I envy you for your temps!), but not here in the southern part of the west coast! :eek:

I try to keep in mind that any ride is better than no ride as long as I shouldn't be completely resting instead. I think it's easy to get caught up in going all out, so I remind myself that while I'm piddling around the neighborhood because it's too hot/dark to ride further/longer, I could still be a couch potato instead.