Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Chest Infection

I'm recovering from a chest infection - had 3 days off work (rarely take time off) and have been off the bike for ten days. I've started cycling to work again - it's only one mile away - but I'm really missing going for my regular evening 20 milers and weekend stints.

What's the general consensus on returning to riding? I feel like I'm being cautious - should I wait to my cough has completely gone? It's no longer productive - just dry and irritating.

Get out there and get some air in those lungs.

Agreed!

I would go out, but take it easy, and you probably don't want to ride a whole 20 miles. Maybe 10?

Listen to your body. If ya start to feel like crap, head home.

+1 although you should have used the tme off the bike to send it to the shop for a tune up...
that way you wont be out for that as well.

I'm recovering from a chest infection - had 3 days off work (rarely take time off) and have been off the bike for ten days. I've started cycling to work again - it's only one mile away - but I'm really missing going for my regular evening 20 milers and weekend stints.

What's the general consensus on returning to riding? I feel like I'm being cautious - should I wait to my cough has completely gone? It's no longer productive - just dry and irritating.


I am recovering from a severe (read: I almost died) Group A Streptococcal Infection that found a home in my tissue (read: organs). I was released from the hospital on June 6 and I still can't make it a mile or so on the trainer before I feel like I'm gonna die.

Hope you get back out there, that's what I'm trying to do.

I've been going through something similar. Ten days ago, I was convinced I was going to die. I gradually became better but nasty stuff in my throat, sinuses and presumably, bronchial tubes, persists. I also have a productive cough but it's getting better. A few days ago, I couldn't stand the inactivity any longer and went out for a very easy ride (11-12 miles an hour for only seven miles). I felt better after doing it.
The next day, I went out again, this time for 15 miles. I felt tired but not too bad. At times, during the rides, I would be coughing but I just kept going at a moderate pace (about 14-15 mph). The next day, optimistically, I thought I would return to my normal rides of 20-30 miles. About 3 miles into the ride, I encountered one of my old cycling buddies and we rode together for about seven miles (at my pace, not his). I was feeling great. I decided to do another 7-mile loop and maybe two. About two miles later, I had one of the worst "bonks" I've ever had in my life. Just a total collapse of my breathing/energy systems. I barely made it home. I guess the point of all of this is, be careful. I believe I rushed too much and set my recovery back a bit. I don't regret riding. I just think I should have done several days of short efforts, well within my limits. Had I been advising someone else, I would have advised such caution. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm often overwhelms my common sense. For instance: Take it easy on the recovery. You have the rest of your life to do more riding (see what I mean about my ability to give advice I don't follow myself?).

Van