[Crazy Cyclist]

Hi everyone , I finally got my bike out of hibernation yesterday, after 6 months of winter, I took it to the LBS to get a new brake cable and I was off and riding, the problem is I haven't been on a bike for 6 months because of -35 temperatures and 50 CM of snow, so I wanted to make up for lost time and I went an hour straight riding and of course my legs are stiff as boards and one of my knees is sore, I may go riding tomorrow how long should should I be riding for each day? I don't want to overdo it again, but at the same time, I want to ride after a 6 month layoff.

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[catatonic]

nobody can tell you that, you have to gague it on your own physical capabilities.

In general, the second you feel your knees hurt, it's done...get home asap.

[Brian]

I'd do a search of the forums for a good warmup and stretching routine if you don't already have one. Then I'd plan a route where I rode at a moderate pace on the way out, and picked up the intensity on the way back, leaving time for a proper cool-down. Whether that means 5km or 50km, it's up to you to determine. I've found knee pain is due to poor fit, not fitness. I've gone 3 months without a bike, and done 50km with no pain, even though I wasn't in the best of shape. Let us know how you go. I'll be moving from Australia to a place that gets up to 5 months of snow, so I'd like to know what to expect.

[TrekDen]

Also don't expect to jump back into the pace you were riding at six months ago. It's going to take some time to get there after a long layoff. Glad to hear you're back out there riding though. You can expect the legs to be stiff, and sore. Don't be ashamed to take breaks while riding either. A 1 hour, and ten minute ride is still a 1 hour ride with 10 minutes worth of breaks added in.