Road Cycling - Slow starter or missing something

Thus far this week I have completed two 30 mile rides which is rather good for my experience in cycling. My problem (if it is a problem) is that I have a difficult time for the first 10 miles or so - feel like I am just out of gas - legs burning (spinning at 80 or better). Just about the time I think I have given all I can I start to feel strong - soreness and fatigue go away and it continues to get better as the ride progresses. Both Monday and today - by mile 25 I was ready for more while the others were ready to head to the house.

I want to feel that way throughout - I am stretching, but possibly not as well as I should. Appreciate your comments and advice..

It's called warming up...sometimes takes me 20 miles to really get going. On this weekend's century I felt better at mile 80 than I did at mile 20.

Oh, I'm pretty much the same way. It takes time to warm up, no matter what your sport is or what shape you're in. Your time before warming up will get faster, but you'll always be slower at the start.

"by mile 25 I was ready for more while the others were ready to head to the house."

There's your problem- "others"- sounds like you're riding too fast to enjoy it, and might have more fun riding by yourself or with a slower group.

Ooh, beaten to it by khatfull after no one responded for a while. Ah well.

Have you been properly fitted? That could help...

It's called warming up...

this

Maybe you live at the bottom of a 10 mile hill......that'll do it every time.

Nutrition, rest, and home resale value all play a part in how you feel.

Doohickie - I have been properly fitted (best 50 bucks I ever spent). All - thanks for the reassurance. I am going to ride solo this Friday and see if I can push a bit beyond 30 miles.

Older I get, longer I take to warm up. Takes a solid 5 miles regardless, sometimes longer. I dare not hammer for 10 miles or I'm exactly like you describe. You didn't state your age, but the "retired military" in your avatar leads me to suspect. I'm 53.

And like you, by 25mi I'm ready to go for more.

Your other option could be to warm up off the bike to get the blood flowing.

ever notice how pro's waiting to race are sitting on bikes on trainers prior to the start? warming up is key to good performance. you never really want to start a hard ride cold and jump right into it. whenever i ride i try and take the first several miles easy to get the blood pumping and my body ready before i get after it.

Just a normal warmup, Sarge! The older we get, the longer it takes.......

Couple of possibilities. I am in the 50+ group and allways need 15-20 minutes to warm the legs up. If I take it really easy out of the chute, I am stronger 1-2 hours down the road. It's trackable in my heart rate. On a trainer, I can turn 20 more watts for a 1-2 hour period if I spend 20 minutes getting into it.

Also, how often are you riding, and how do you finish? After a ride, do you spin down? If I ride hard today, I need to spin my legs for 20-30 minutes easy before finishing or I will be heavy legged tomorrow and/or the next day. It helps to clear the acid if you can spin for a bit at the end of a ride. I find that from one day to the next, I am two different people if I can't get my legs clear. If it feels like you are riding in peanut butter for about 20minutes at the beginning of a ride, try warming up and down.

5-10 minutes of soft pedal-then 5-10 minutes of easy effort. Then stretch if you want - I don't stretch until post-ride. Do not stretch when you are cold.

It takes me a good five miles, usually farther, to get warmed up and ready to crank.

It's called warming up...sometimes takes me 20 miles to really get going. On this weekend's century I felt better at mile 80 than I did at mile 20.

+1

Try spinning a lighter gear a bit faster to get warmed up and see if that helps. It was chilly this morning, but I had a tight schedule, so I really had to focus on getting going for the first 20 minutes or so.