atombob

I've commuted all weekend as well as this week. Both Monday and Tuesday it was sunny and warm but I had about a 15 to 20 mph head wind and when I rode home it really seemed to work me - both days. Last night I noticed my legs were feeling like lead and pretty damn sore when I woke up this morning. I'm hoping just taking one day off will let me finish commuting the rest of this week.

I really hate head winds. Just feeling guilty and had to confess.

JohnBrooking

Don't feel guilty. You've spent 4 of the last 5 days riding, which is a lot more than most of the people around you can say! Perfection is not a requirement.

RonH

Don't feel guilty. Joe Friel says to listen to your body. When you're tired or don't feel right is rest day.

Stubacca

Great idea. I drove today for the same reason - my legs are sore from two very windy afternoon commutes, plus some decent mileage on the weekend and dead hamstrings from too much time in the garden on Sunday.

Sometimes the body just needs a rest... though it does suck to be in the car!

BenyBen

Yeah, you gotta give your legs a break sometimes...

I did find that when i first started that I got WAY more soreness then necessary because I was using high gear ratio. I downshifted some to increase the RPM and voila!

Nevertheless, I still had to take one or 2 break days when the winds were strong for a while.

ahpook

I drove today too, because I broke the valve stem on my rear tire trying to inflate it this morning. I have a crappy Schwinn dual-valve floor pump on which the Presta valve does not actually work. So I have to use the little brass p-to-s converter, crank it down onto the stem and use the Schrader head. I guess I must have been pushing too hard to get the contraption attached 'cause there was air coming out the base of the stem. I was already running late so I took the car, stopped at the LBS to find a better pump (unfortunately no Joe Blow which ppl here have recommended)... I was very frustrated but it ended up being OK because I also needed to pick up a new mini-itx case for a little computer I'm building, which would be difficult to bungee to the rack.

Camel

I'm considering driving in to work tonite as well (cruddy weather/not being motivated). I haven't been on a bike since a 300K brevet saturday-and its simply killing me...

atombob

I think the break did me good. Took everyones advise and stayed off the bike yesterday. I woke up this morning and my legs still felt heavy and stiff but I rode in anyway. Every little upgrade felt twice as steep... wtf? lol. Should I just keep riding at a easy pace and see if my legs adapt? I'd hate to stay off the bike for 2 or 3 days. Well I rode at least.

RT

I had to get the emissions done on my car yesterday, and it pained me to know there was no other way around it. Headwinds suck, but I justify it by thinking to myself that I'm getting more excercise and any time on two wheels is better than being on four.

Hickabod

I gave in to a car commute myself on Tuesday, same reasons. Though my pain was compounded by hours of scrubbing in the bathroom the day before. So besides having legs of lead, my neck and shoulders were killing me. The wind was awful and I couldn't turn my head to check behind me, so I said to hell with it. It was probably the safest call to make.
My friends were supportive. One said it was weird to see me driving and another gave me a few verbal jabs calling me a wimp for driving. He's built like a biscuit, so I knew it was in good fun.