EricL

I've been feeling not so good since Sunday with a cold or virus I don't know what it is, caught it from my daughter. One of those things where I'm not sick enough to take any time off but don't feel good enough to do anything fun. Today I'm thinking of doing my 20 mile round trip commute on the bike because bicycling always makes me feel better and I'm thinking a good sweat with the blood flowing just might help. Any thoughts or experiences to share?

UberGeek

If the weather isn't bad, I'd say go for it. But, I'd do a trial ride, and make a fail-safe plan (Ie, call wife on the phone and say,"I need you to get me, so I can get the car..." if you really need to).

groovestew

My philosophy is, if I'm too sick to ride, I'm too sick to be at work. Conversely, if I'm well enough to work, I'm well enough to ride.

And yes, riding with a cold will get the fluids moving (snot rockets anyone?), but I've not found that exercise speeds healing.

MichaelW

Ride at an easy pace, keep your heartrate down.

Consularrider

I've been in the same situation the past ten days (thank you very much son ), the past three with at least some light rain every day. I'm like groovestew, if I'm too sick to ride, I'm too sick to work. I also did a century ride last Sunday, maybe I've prolonged the illness, but...

EricL

I like that philosophy.

jolsen

Perhaps it depends. Are you riding with a low grade fever or do you just feel blah? Is it sinus or stomach. My comute is only 12 miles round trip too and all on quiet country roads. If the heart is in it but the spirit is not, my philosophy is go for it-it may perk you up but the other way around and you really do need the rest go with the over-riding philosophy--stay home because you cant ride and your too sick to work!!! Please take care of yourself so you can live to ride again :-)

Bobd20011

I am in the same boat. I rode today, but I will need the fever to go away before I attempt to go home.

JAG410

I'm too sick to ride. I don't even want to ride 1/4 mile to the corner store for more gatorade. The "too sick to ride, too sick to work" thing is very true. I hate it when people show up to work all miserable and spread it around the office. I'd rather stay home and recoup. Riding while sick doesn't seem to help, nor hinder the recovery process IMHO.

Ira B

Nothing worse than a die hard, go getter co-worker who will drag their sick, hacking wheezing, snot oozing disease ridden body to work ...then stand next to me trembling with fever and sweats as they cough and sneeze all day.
Thanks loads.

If I am that sick I prefer to keep my misery to myself at home.

EricL

well I did it and feel 10 times better mentally and a little better physically although the lungs were burning a little starting back (it's mostly uphill coming back).
I firmly believe that the mind controls the body to a great extent. There definitely is a point where I wouldn't think about walking around the block let alone doing a 16 hour day and riding 20 miles. So I wasn't there. Trust your instincts.

cyclokitty 

As long as I'm not dizzy or having trouble breathing, a bike ride actually helps me feel better when I have a cold. In fact, I'm getting over a nasty cold now. I did skip one day because the room kept spinning and I had some Nyquil during the day. But when I rode my bike, my headache went away and it was nice not being cooped up in a stuffy room. And it kept me away from soap operas -- I don't think Days Of Our Lives has changed a bit in the last quarter century.

Terry66

I felt like heck for the last few days. I was out of town prior to that, so yesterday was a week off the bike. I decided enough was enough and took off for a short 20 miler yesterday. Figures, it started raining just about ride time. Decided to ride anyway. I don't feel any worse...yet.

jeffpoulin

Whenever I ride with a cold, I end up with a mild case of bronchitis which takes at least two weeks to go away. Better to rest for 3-4 days then to ride when sick, IMO.

Bobd20011

When you are sick do you stop brushing your teeth? I don't. In that spirit, I aslo try to ride when I am sick.

matimeo

cyclokitty, do you realize that your signature line would absolutely paralyze someone with ADHD and render them unable to focus on anything? Good golly.

I have a hard time doing my five mile commute when I'm sick. It rains a lot here. Last winter it seemed like I kept getting a recurring cold (after a nasty, nasty sinus infection). Didn't matter how long I was clear before I started riding again- one ride and I felt it coming on again. Gobs of antibiotics later and cold-free for a few months, I'm hoping this winter won't be a repeat. I plan on riding right through the cold and rainy season, but I'll take the day off if I'm too sick.