Road Cycling - The "Superman Effect"...

I'm a beginning road cyclist (got my first road bike 4 months ago). I ride everyday except Fridays. I ride between 8 - 30 miles a day (mostly flat).
I don't know if this has been addressed here before, I've olny been on this board for about 2 months.
I notice that sometimes, while riding, I sometimes get what I can only refer to as "the superman effect". I go out for a normal Saturday ride for an hour and a half and it ends up being a two and a half hour ride. When I get back I fell like I could go right back out again. Sometimes, during a normal ride I get a spike of energy, when everything seems to be working better than it does normally without spending any effort.
I've tried to pin these reactions down to diet or sleep but I don't think it's something I can regenerate at will. I'm just curious if this is common among other cyclists.
Thanks

It all depends on what a "normal" ride is. As you are a beginning cyclist, you're doing the right thing by starting out with flats and getting familiar with your bike. I would suggest upping the ante a bit and doing faster paced rides as well as more hills when you are ready.

It could possibly be that you are riding at a lower intensity than what you are actually physically fit for. If you are training for an event, you've got to tailor your workouts as such. However, if you are a recreational rider out to enjoy the scenery and work up a small appetite, then it sounds like you are where you need to be.

It all depends on what your goals are...

It could be the food you’ve eaten before the ride. I’ve noticed that if I eat certain foods, i.e. fast food, for lunch I often can’t put in the kind of effort that I’m expecting.

Hmm.... Could it be an endorphin rush? (Runners call it Joggers' High)

It could be what some call "The Zone". Basketball players think the hoop looks huge, Football players feel like everyone on the field is moving in slow motion exept them. I've experienced it a few times running, you feel like you can run as fast as you want for as long as you want.......... What I think it really is, is the body telling you that "all cylinders are firing" in perfect harmony...... enjoy.

http://www.my-smileys.de/eek2.gif

Sounds cool!

Im with Random,

I noticed several years ago, If I eat Arby's (usually a Super with no sauce, and a couple of regular roast beefs for lunch) I seem to really be able to hammer away.

Same if I ate Muselix for Breakfast........ weird...

Might be a tailwind?

Maybe it's spinach-no that's Popeye and you said Superman-hmm-well beats me!

Hey Geist, that's an unusual last name, related to any Geist that use to live in Goleta (Santa Barbara area) CA?

I'm reading Lance's second book and he refers to it as the "no chain" effect. As in "Could you check my bike? It doesn't feel like there's a chain attached."

-s

If you're not hammering away for those 2.5 hours, I think it's the way a lot of our bodies react. When I'm on longer rides without a lot of hills, I "warm up" completely and feel great after 15-20 miles. This lasts for a lot of miles. I've seen other posters on forums ask why it takes so long(over 15 miles) for them to really warm up. This might be what you are feeling.

If you're not hammering away for those 2.5 hours, I think it's the way a lot of our bodies react. When I'm on longer rides without a lot of hills, I "warm up" completely and feel great after 15-20 miles. This lasts for a lot of miles. I've seen other posters on forums ask why it takes so long(over 15 miles) for them to really warm up. This might be what you are feeling.

Exactly, this is my experience also. However, it only happens when I make sure to have a consciously structured warm up.

Rich

It's called 'addiction', and it's the best sort because it's one of the rare ones that you don't have to hide from others. :)

it does happen, and i can't explain it nor can i duplicate it. its probably a combination of life (stresses, diet, hormone release) and preparation/training.

its great when it happens, and pro's can replicate it more often than not (like a golf swing)

Might this be related to Bicycle Smile? ;)

if you ride on a regular basis, it will build up your endurance...sounds like you commute to work and try to get in ride after work a few times a week. Since most of your riding is done on the flats, you should have plenty of energy. people warm up at different rates on different days.

I'm reading Lance's second book and he refers to it as the "no chain" effect. As in "Could you check my bike? It doesn't feel like there's a chain attached."

-s got the book for xmas...finished it in under 24hours..... I sometimes too have the no chain feeling!!

Brendon

It`s most certainly "Endorphine effect" athletes high,the hormomal chemical your body excretes as you become a very fit person.

It`s what many of us strive for, that almost drunk feeling of infanite power, almost a "matrix" induced want to run up the side of buildings,leap across vast voids or on your bike simply "ride and ride".

Congratulations! sounds as though you have attained it......

I have been getting it too as I have upped my miles. I was near the 50 mile mark and felt like I had pleanty more left in me. It is a great feeling.

Another question in the opposite direction. If you have been off the bike for a few weeks and the go out and push hard. You get a sort of metallic taste in your mouth. What causes that?

I kick in at 12 to 15 miles, couldn't tell you the number of 20 mile rides I intended that ended up being 40+. My climbing ability, right now, peaks at 30 to 45 miles provided a structured warm up.

I sometimes get what I can only refer to as "the superman effect". I go out for a normal Saturday ride for an hour and a half and it ends up being a two and a half hour ride. When I get back I fell like I could go right back out again. Sometimes, during a normal ride I get a spike of energy, when everything seems to be working better than it does normally without spending any effort.


Well basically when you are warmed up.....you ride better. The hardest of any ride is the first few miles....after that your muscles are warm and spinning is easier.

In fact after most rides I feel good enough to lift weights.....The increased cardiac output from the ride lets me get better circulation to big muscle groups (chest/back) when I'm lifting.

Well basically when you are warmed up.....you ride better. The hardest of any ride is the first few miles....after that your muscles are warm and spinning is easier.

In fact after most rides I feel good enough to lift weights.....The increased cardiac output from the ride lets me get better circulation to big muscle groups (chest/back) when I'm lifting.

You do realize that you just bumped a thread that's over a year old ... right?

-mark

You do realize that you just bumped a thread that's over a year old ... right?

-mark

Yeah, but it's still more interesting than anything else we have been talking about. The fact that stealthman started 5 or 6 ridiculous threads means that there have been no interesting topics as of late.

Yeah, but it's still more interesting than anything else we have been talking about. The fact that stealthman started 5 or 6 ridiculous threads means that there have been no interesting topics as of late.

You can't possibly be saying that you, the great almight 53-11 ATW, have run out of interesting new topics to post. You haven't even begun to touch upon the metaphorical meaning of cranks and stays nor have you polled the community about which frame color we think is fastest.

Tap into your creative side man!

-mark

Yeah, but it's still more interesting than anything else we have been talking about. The fact that stealthman started 5 or 6 ridiculous threads means that there have been no interesting topics as of late.
Sound familar?

I have this feeling about 5/6th up a hill after a long climb. Something clicks and I go faster... I am almost there and if I push it I will get there faster. I also get this sometimes right in a middle of a long ride after I warm up, usually after a big hill. I can not explain this but once my body gets in rhythm I can go forever.