pannb

Hi. question about equipment, aching, and commuting.

I'm a mom of 4 kids and I used to cycle a lot, stopped when kids made it too hard and now back and beginning to commute to work and ride for errands. I tried riding to work and the next day I am not in pain anywhere in particular but ache like I have the body flu. It makes me kind of mad; haven't had that before.

My commute is about 12 miles in the suburbs; mostly on sidewalk and the street. Pretty bumpy; across railroad tracks etc. I have a carbon fiber road bike and 700C-23 tires. Have any of you had the experience of feeling almost fluish the next day? I don't know if it is my age, my bike, tires, or less than awesome amount of exercise this winter.

I'm willing to buy a new bike or tires. Has anyone else had this experience and does it go away or will new tires or more expensively and new bike help?

thanks to anyone who has ideas.

DataJunkie

I hardly exercised for 10 years. When I restarted I was completely miserable for a few months.
I would say give it time.

olsmurphy

I just got back into riding to work after a 4 year break. I was using a beach cruiser along the beach bike path along Santa Monica and Venice Beach (about 6 miles each way). New home and new work means a 7 mile road commute now, so I picked up a KHS flite 100 and threw a rack on the back. I hurt like hell, but it feels good to burn again. I work 4 days on, 3 days off. The first week, I didn't feel normal again until my third day off, but my recovery time is getting better. Three weeks in and it only takes a day and a half for my bum to recover, and my body ache is down to less than 24 hours

Old Dirt Hill

If I had to guess, I'd say it's just normal soreness of getting back into riding.

Are you riding exceptionally hard? Going from 0 to 12 miles (or is that 24 miles?) per day is going to give nearly anyone a bit of soreness/stiffness.

Laru

12 miles is pretty far when you're just getting back in the saddle. Good job on making it all the way! I am sure that the more you ride the better it will get.
It's also possible that part of your issue is with the bike. Do you feel like it might need a tuning up?

AlmostTrick

There's your problem right there. You need a much heavier bike. Fortunately for you I live nearby and am willing to trade with you. Seriously, most would consider a non carbon bike with a little wider tire to be better suited for commuting. Also, try riding just every other day at first. Your body will build up to it quickly.

Research the side walk riding thing. It can be more dangerous than riding in the street.

DataJunkie

It is less about the frame material and more about the geometry of said frame. If it is laid back then you should be fine. If it is more of a racing geometry that can take a bit to get used to.
23s will do fine but the one thing I would say is that they tend to beat you up a bit.
I hate taking my CF bike on my commute. Commutes are harsh on bikes and I do not want to have to repair an expensive bike.

Tabor

I would consider some x28 tires, but other than that, your body just needs some time to compensate. Consider extra time sleeping.

DataJunkie

I have started taking protein supplements when my riding increases drastically. I wonder if that would help the OP?
Thoughts anyone?

ironhorse3

Pannb, do you have suspension (spring) on the front fork? I think that makes a big difference in comfort. Every other day is good idea I think too till you are re-acclimated. Good luck.

kf5nd

How many water bottles are you drinking on your 24 mile round trip? I'd say you should be drinking about 2 whole bottles (24 oz each).

keiththesnake

+1 about the protein supplements. Helped me alot. We all know that familiar ache after a layoff, and recovery is key.

gtd

Four kids? You're just exhausted!

It takes a while to get back into shape, but not more than a few weeks. Don't ride more than every other day, drink enough water, and give yourself a little bit of time.

Once you get back into condition, you'll feel like you've had the flu when you don't ride.

Industrial

In general, protein supplements within 30 minutes of the end of a ride will help with recovery times until your body is used to riding again. I would do some research to find out what is right for you because everyone is different.

More than the bike or setup, I'd say it's just your body getting used to riding again. If the symptoms don't begin to fade as you ride more often I would consult a doctor to make sure everything is ok. Soreness is one thing, flu-like body aches is kinda extreme.

thebarerider

I agree that this is just your body getting accustomed to riding again. Give it time, and if it helps take every other day off or every couple of days off.

mace2

A road bike on the sidewalk probably won't feel too good. If you can, try easing yourself into riding on an uninterrupted surface (most sidewalks I've seen are made of squares, the seams of which give you a bit of a jolt on a road bike--it can add up, I suspect).

Your body will catch up with you, you just need a bit of time, as you've kind of jumped in cold turkey (if that makes any sense!). Soon you will be whizzing along. Good luck.

Smallwheels

Now that you are exercising way more than you are accustomed to doing, your body is using way more nutrients. You need to supplement your diet right away. The flu symptoms are from your body not having enough vitamins and minerals to handle your output. They are being burned up during your exercise which isn't leaving enough for the the rest of your day.

My favorite anti-muscle pain nutrient isn't easy to find. It is called Shilijeet. It comes from algae in Nepal. When using that stuff I could do any type of strenuous activity and never get sore. I wish my company sold such a product. We do have great anti-aging products though.

Buglady

Agrre with everyone that it's likely just the unaccustomed exercise. I started riding barely 4 miles at a time and I was *exhausted* the first few times. But you do adapt fairly quickly - just make sure you are eating and drinking enough to support the increased exercise, and give yourself adequate recovery days. You may also be feeling the aftereffects of stress, if you are uncomfortable on the bike, worried about traffic, etc. I find that psychological stress does a real number on me physically!

I also agree with those who think your bike is not suited to sidewalk riding - you may be more comfortable for the commute and errands on a more relaxed geometry bike, and save the road bike for long, fast rides. (And do learn to ride on the road - it's scary at first, but overall it is safer, faster, and more comfortable).

If you do decide to try a different bike, it does not have to be an expensive one - Giant and Trek make very nice city bikes under $500, and if you look on Craigslist you can probably find something for under $200. (I personally love vintage steel bikes, especially touring frames, for the smoother ride. I find aluminum to be jittery and carbon fiber is just plain terrifying - but I'm a very lightweight rider (130 lbs) and I feel the bumps more than others might).

legit

I think I agree with pretty much everyone else.

First of all, did you really do 12 miles your first trip out? thats awesome, but a little crazy. I would work up to it a bit, I always find that I can start something really quickly when I haven't done it for a while but the next time out its completely different and more difficult. Who knows why.

First of all I would try some quick stretches before and after your ride (I've found that it helps prevent cramping when you stretch afterwards), just to help loosen up your muscles a bit, nothing too strenuous just get them relaxed a bit. Secondly drink LOTS of water, don't drown yourself, but by drinking lots of water you'll be helping your blood flow and getting toxins(which cause the soreness) out of your blood and system (at least thats what I've been told, I'm not a doctor, but it seems to work for me).

I've also noticed that drinking a little gatorade or something similar(electrolytes i guess) helps to keep me going day in day out when I ride every day.

I wouldn't say that you're bike is neccessarily at fault, yet, but maybe you could try adjusting the saddle and handlebars, or take it to the LBS and have them tell you if it is fitted right.

Just some suggestions from personal experience, I hope they will help.

remember to relax now and again to let your body repair itself.

Good luck!

noteon 

Yeah, I was going to say hydrate too.

tate65

Your not by chance taking a cholesterol drug? I was having the same symptoms, when to the Doc he pull the drug that day. Said one of the big side effects with most is a muscle pain, especially for folk why exercise for longer periods of time.

cooker

12 miles is a long commute - congratulations! You'll adapt in good time.

cyclezealot

First month after I bought my road bike. I felt miserable from aches and pains. Congratulations. Before I started commuting , I built up my bike stregnth before the start of the commute. I could be bike fit. Ask an experienced cyclist to size up your fit. That might help. Otherwise, you will be achy for at least a month.

adebrunner

Maybe you have the Flu

soze

The sidewalk will bump and jostle you to death. Come on out on the pavement, the water's fine

Your first two weeks of bike commuting if you've been out of the saddle will be painful. That's just a fact of life. Your third week you'll feel a little achy but wondering why you're going faster, and after that all you'll be thinking is "wheeeee"!

23c tires aren't horrendously skinny. If you want a little more cush you might want to bump them up to 25c or even 27c if you can squeeze them into your brakes. I'm a 150lb woman and I found 23c's to be a little squirrelly on gravel and random crapola you end up rolling over on some sections of suburban road. I loved my 25c's, though, and I'm trying to decide if I like my 27c's beyond the color (Rivendell speedblends) as I have only had them for 80-ish miles.

Also, your kids probably do have you running around a little goofy, but a good night's sleep can do wonders for the legs.