Machka 

I can hardly believe I am debating about whether or not to ride. Normally I have no difficulties with motivation, and normally going out for a ride is almost like breathing ... it just comes naturally to me.

However today ... I'm struggling.

Over the last couple months my only days off cycling have been either the day after one of my brevets, or days where I was working a 16 hour shift. I just finished a 62 hour work week, and my back, legs, and shoulders are killing me.

Today it's been raining on and off, it's chilly, and the clouds are heavy in the sky, but right at the moment they seem to have lightened a little bit and it has stopped raining.

I could go for a ride ......... but for some reason I just don't feel all that enthusiastic about it.

To ride ... or not to ride**********?


Have you ever been in a situation like this? What did you decide to do?

PedalMasher

Wow, I'd take a day off. With that type of riding, I'd have burnt out a while back. It'll do you good!

lotek 

Most of the time when I really don't feel like riding for whatever reason
if I force myself I usually have a really good ride.
That said, given your mileage, and dedication to riding,
why not take a day off if you don't feel like it. . . it's not
like you're going to lose all your fitness, eh?

Marty

ericgu

I think you are both burnt out and under-recovered. Your body needs rest to improve.

ericgu

I think you are both burnt out and under-recovered. Your body needs rest to improve.

zacster

Rain is the #1 excuse for not riding. I use it all the time. Take a break.

sfend002

Unless u r getting paid to perform, why not take the day off. I do it for PT/Fun and feel no need to go out when my body is crushed. Sometimes I take a couple days off sometimes filling it with a run.

Boogs

Mute point by now, I guess, but days off are good. It can't become a chore.

Machka 

Well, it's still light enough to ride without the benefit of lights, so it's not entirely moot .... but I did opt not to ride. I get one day per week off work. Most of the time over the past couple months I've used that day for a long ride. Today I decided to take care of a whole bunch of other "business" which has been piling up on my Things To Do list.

I feel a bit guilty for not donning the wet weather gear and heading out, but perhaps I did need the break. My back feels better now than it did earlier in the day.

azwhelan

I'm not sure if your training or you really just like to ride. Almost two months solid on the bike sounds like chronic overtraining. From what I've read that's not good. You might have OCD.

Machka 

I often ride this much or more .... but this summer I've got an extra 20-ish hours of work each week over what I've had in past summers.

And I have taken days off, but more out of necessity ..... like the days where I work a double shift (16 hours) there just isn't a lot of time left to cycle those days if I'm going to get any sleep at all.

Jakey

Take a day off... kick back...read, watch tv....whatever.. It will feel even better next time you ride.

Boogs

That's your body's way of saying it needs rest! </elementary school health teacher>