What do you do on non-ride days?

[markm109]

I was wondering what others do on the days their legs need rest from riding? I can ride about 6 days in a row at medium pace (for me) at about 12-15 miles a day before I rest. But I pushed it up a bit this week, 12 on Sun; 18 on Mon and 24 Tue (yesterday). My legs feel heavy and tight with just a bit of soreness today, so I know I won't be able to bike much tonight.

So what do you do on the leg rest days? Walking would still be using the leg muscles so they wouldn't rest? Today it's going to be 80 here in SE Michigan so I am going to use the upper body and kayak, but what else can be done? I don't want to just sit and watch TV - I want to exercise 1 hr at a minimum each day - need to lose lots of lbs.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mark

[Fat Hack]

Pump Iron.......rah!

[ewitz]

Do an hour on the small ring. Forces you not to overdo it and is great for smoothing out your pedal stroke.

[nutbag]

Yeah, do weights on yer upper body -- that's what I do

[Alrocket]

Climbing wall is fun and not too much pressure (other than standing).

[shokhead]

Monday,not much,Friday,mow lawn,wash car,ride rest of the days.

[roadbuzz]

Basically, what shokhead said...., all the stuff I needed to get done on the ride days! ;)

But I also try to get in some easy cycling... at least the bike commute, maybe an easy hour or so, too.

[TriBob]

Swim or run :)

[shokhead]

Basically, what shokhead said...., all the stuff I needed to get done on the ride days! ;)

But I also try to get in some easy cycling... at least the bike commute, maybe an easy hour or so, too.

I tried that on mondays but found my legs felt real heavy the rest of my rides so figured i needed 1 day of for the most part,nothing.

[foehn]

I was wondering what others do on the days their legs need rest from riding? I can ride about 6 days in a row at medium pace (for me) at about 12-15 miles a day before I rest. But I pushed it up a bit this week, 12 on Sun; 18 on Mon and 24 Tue (yesterday). My legs feel heavy and tight with just a bit of soreness today, so I know I won't be able to bike much tonight.

So what do you do on the leg rest days? Walking would still be using the leg muscles so they wouldn't rest? Today it's going to be 80 here in SE Michigan so I am going to use the upper body and kayak, but what else can be done? I don't want to just sit and watch TV - I want to exercise 1 hr at a minimum each day - need to lose lots of lbs.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mark

I garden--right now we are in the process of moving the remains (for firewood) of three 50+ foot tall pinetrees, using a wheel barrow and hand truck, from our back yard to our front. I will be trimming back the dead leaves on our narcissus bulbs soon and need to dig a ditch at least 2 foot deep and about 20 ft long to fill with stacked bricks to block gophers out of my rose garden area. Eventually I will be cutting back 3 big-***** clumps of red fountain grass and 1 clump dwarf pampas grass, moving the rest of the wood chips from the tree cutting above and raking up the rest of the yard.

If I am into it, I clean house. Right now our hard tile floors are pretty dirty; I'll need to throw the dogs out into the yard, lock the cats up in the back bathroom and take all most of the furniture out into the yard, so I can mop and scrub more easily.

I have found out that if I do not sit and vegetate immediately after I ride my legs feel much better, not heavy and not sore. I do light housework/yard work after my rides, stuff that keeps me on my feet and moving gently.

Walking uses your leg muscles, but in different ways, plus the motion of walking, which you are built for, acts as a pump to enhance the movement of fluids through your lets; try light walking to help with that leg heavy feeling.

[catatonic]

I sadly don;t do much on day seven...I play computer games.

Well...I guess shuffling my computer mouse at god-awful speeds has to count for something ;)

[Guest]

I go for an extensive massage session and do a long yoga class that day. It really does help take out the heaviness I feel in the legs and that throbbing I normally feel from all the weight lifting and bike riding I do. If I get lucky enough to get the time, I also go to this spa place next door and get in the whirlpool, hang out in the sauna and steamroom, and spend some quality time in the relaxation room too.

Koffee

[cyclezealot]

Think about would an easy ride really be that much to ask. Usually don't ride because work does not allow. About the only day that I don't ride.
SOme say they have a goal of riding every day.
We have a gardner do the more exhaustive, unusual stuff...Mowing, that is ok. A little house work and after that check out Bike Forums, Cyclingnews, etc.Or else relaxing stuff...

[mrdoright0405]

Strength Training.