Fifty Plus (50+) - Is it just bio-rhythms?

Jeez, I've been feeling good lately. Stronger, better. I survived the Davis Double Century. I did a century last weekend with almost 9000 feet of climbing.

Today I went out for a short 30 miler with my wife and felt like mud, or glue. I was just weak. Really weak.
So much that I came home after 20 and sent her on without me.

Is it just being 54? Is there anything to bio-rhythms? Could it be I'm very stressed this week (major work report due, giant thesis proposal presentation Monday)??

Whine whine whine.

Here's hoping Sunday is much better. I have important, paid-for riding plans.

Are you'all more up and down then you were in your... how to say it... younger days?

For me stress will wear me down more than anything.

I had a similar experience Friday. My legs felt like rubber. On the way home my ride takes me up the famous (infamous?) Doylestown hill which I usually handle with ease. Friday I had to stop half way up in a shady spot to gather my thoughts, shake my legs etc. Limping into Doylestown I had a energy bar which helped slightly. Felt like I was bonking. Seven agonizing miles later and I was finally home with a paltry total of 36 miles.

I'm hoping it's a bio-rhythms thing and nothing more. Perhaps you and I are on the same bio-rhythm curve.:twitchy:

Might be biorythms. No matter what happens, my Russian-born wife says, "It is for balance"

I had a similar experience Friday. My legs felt like rubber. On the way home my ride takes me up the famous (infamous?) Doylestown hill which I usually handle with ease. Friday I had to stop half way up in a shady spot to gather my thoughts, shake my legs etc. Limping into Doylestown I had a energy bar which helped slightly. Felt like I was bonking. Seven agonizing miles later and I was finally home with a paltry total of 36 miles.

I'm hoping it's a bio-rhythms thing and nothing more. Perhaps you and I are on the same bio-rhythm curve.:twitchy:

Let's speak no more of it:crash::twitchy:

Dude, you're friggin' 54, you've racked up some impressive mileage in wicked conditions, and you're tired one day...give yourself a break. It's okay. Take a nap and all will be right with the world.

Oh, and look for a burst of energy post-thesis and -report. You'll be fine.

I know what you mean, all kidding aside. After last week's time trial I was grateful to take a couple days off the bike. Pardon my sweeping generalization, but we 50+ can focus on a goal and step up when we need to; we just have to respect that our recovery my take a wee bit longer than those half our ages.

Hope you get that CCC mojo back soon.

You might want to check your mood ring.

http://www.starmagic.com/catalog/2440849P.JPG

"Bio-rhythms" sounds too complicated.
Hell.. It made my head hurt just typing it.
How 'bout you just need a bit more recovery time now and then?
Happens to me once in awhile. Bike doesn't seem to want to move.

This must be the first time I've heard the term bio-rhythms in 10 years. Had forgotten all about those things.

This happens to me as well - it is usually when I am tired, been riding too much.

Just part of the recovery process my cycling friend......are you taking any R4 or equivalent post ride by chance? I'm a big believer in doing something to assist with recovery. I'm seeing some very positive results.

Also-as you know hydration and rest make a huge difference as well. Have you been drinking and sleeping well??????

Thanks all. Sunday and I'm back to my olds self. I did a climbing and descending class with VeloGirls (http://www.velogirls.com/) (they let guys into some classes) and had a blast. Maybe I needed a down day to have today be an up day.

The same thing happens to me. I've learned to just push through it, no matter how slow I have to go. I think it has something to do with lunar cycles - or old age...

Thanks all. Sunday and I'm back to my olds self. I did a climbing and descending class with VeloGirls (http://www.velogirls.com/) (they let guys into some classes) and had a blast. Maybe I needed a down day to have today be an up day.

Glad to hear.
As a last resort, you could painstakingly chart these rhythms and cross reference them with other potential factors, but then you'd have to grow a beard and ride a recumbent. :D

Same here. I've been having some days that I don't feel like I have any power at all. Sometimes it seems like I am 20-30 miles into a ride before I feel like riding. Lotta job related stress these days. Like Rober said, I just push through it and hope it will get better.

I've had a slow start this year (until the last couple of weeks) and figure part of it is my brain wanting to pick up where I left off late last year and my body rebelling at the thought.

Same here. I've been having some days that I don't feel like I have any power at all. Sometimes it seems like I am 20-30 miles into a ride before I feel like riding. Lotta job related stress these days. Like Rober said, I just push through it and hope it will get better.

I've had a slow start this year (until the last couple of weeks) and figure part of it is my brain wanting to pick up where I left off late last year and my body rebelling at the thought.

This is so true.