Hipcycler

OK, this doesn't add up at all.
I just did my usual 26-mile training route and it was, perhaps, the worst ride I have had in six years.

I was all pumped up to test out the new red conti tires (switched from Michelins) today. Plus I had just taken off the last three days, so I figured my legs would be fresh.

The tires DO make a difference. Now, my Michelins had a lot of miles and were pretty worn down mind you. But these new tires made it seem a little like I was on balloons! The bike had much more of a 'mushy' feel to it, and it seemed a bit more twitchy to handle up front too. I'll get used to it I suppose.

So despite the new tires and really nice weather conditions and the fact that I was coming off three days rest, my legs felt like cement. I had NOTHING out there today and can not for the life of me figure it out.

I didn't do anything differently in terms of food, drink, or sleep prior to this either.

Ever just unexpectedly have tired, aching legs like that? Everything seemed to be a chore today.

I had to shift from the big ring into the middle ring on the way back into the 12-15 headwind and thought about walking for a time while I was turning a whopping 12 mph in my flashy new red tires!

WTH?

Tomorrow will be another day I guess. I plan to get right back on the horse Saturday and try to get this sour taste out of my mouth.

The Micah

I think it's the 3 days off. I feel best when I ride every day. I hate to miss a day.

DLH

You forgot your testosterone.

flythebike

Darn, that is what I was going to say.

acape

It's wierd, sometimes if I haven't ridden for a few days I feel great, but other times, it's the opposite and I have a bad day. And sometimes I just have a random bad day for no apparent reason.

What if you had just a random bad day and then on top of that your legs didn't react as well to the rest, then you might have an even worse day.

Or maybe you should go back to the old tires!

timmhaan

weird that you mention this. i went on my usual friday route (which just so happens to be exactly 26 miles too), and i was slow. couldn't put my finger on it, just slower than usual.

Hipcycler

I knew that wasn't gonna take long!



Perhaps tonight I need a couple of shots of Jack and some beer....look out on the route tomorrow baby!

my58vw

I think I forgot the testosterone... - what why would I want that!?

Mandy

DLH

As for the whole mushy tire feeling, are they the same size as the Mich. were and did you have them at the max. inflation?

mollusk

Did somebody let the air out of your tires?

Cromulent

I've been slow lately too. Actually it feels like it takes extra effort just to go the speed I was normally going just two weeks ago. My whole bike feels squishy. First I thought it was the heat. But that's gone, so I chalk it up to post-July burnout.

Hipcycler

The usual (for me) 100 lbs.
Size?
Actually, they DO look bigger than the old ones, but I just thought that was optical with the red color. I shoud check that.

At this point I don't know how much of it was the new change in tires or how much was just me having a bad day. Now I'm freaked out about the tires.

I suppose I need to ride again Saturday before I pass any judgement on the tires.

platypus

it must have been the Knave.

Hipcycler

You may have somethere there Crom, but the thing is I DID have three days rest off the bike.
The mind was fresh and excited about the new tires, new bearings, new chain, all set to go....only someone forgot to tell my legs!

DLH

I always ride mine at the max pressure. I think Contis may be 120 I'd check that also and maybe put some more air in. The Mich. may have had a recommended pressure that was closer to the 100 that you always run.

Second Mouse

I've had that happen to me just before I get a cold. I hope you're just having an off-day, because the colds usually suck big-time. Let us know how tomorrow's ride goes, Hip.

CaptainKurt99

Did you eat pizza or anything unhealthy the day before? I always feel crappy if I eat pizza.

superdex

I'm also thinking it was three days off. You don't normally go that long, do you? One, two days tops. Then again, if your body said to rest three days, then that's whatcha do. Shrug. See, I'm no help as usual.

mollusk

Here's one that happened to me. I was riding and felt like I was working really hard and not going very fast. This kept up until the rear inner tube exploded! It turns out that the rear brake cable had seized with the rear brakes in the "on" position. I had gotten caught in the rain for a few rides straight before that and even though I cleaned up the bike there must have been enough moisture getting inside the rear brake cable housing that the cable corroded up and jammed. That rear rim was sure hot! I doubt this is the case because you just got your bike back from a tune-up.

I've also had days where it just wasn't "there" for no obvious reason. It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.

jschen

Maybe it's as simple as just having a bad day?

cydewaze

Hip, my non-expert opinion? I think maybe you were so pumped to go ride that you went too hard too soon. Whenever I short change myself on my warmup, I feel like crap for the whole ride.

Possible?

hurley.girl

Hah! Why is it we all have good days and bad days, and for some of us we have better years and worse years, but if the pros do the same they must be doping?

LowCel 

Were your previous tires Pro Races? If so then I can relate. After running Pro Races most tires feel mushy to me. I'm not sure what it is but I just feel slower on other tires.

Also, I have been having the same feeling lately. Almost feels like I'm on flat tires, either that or the pavement is melting under me (which is a possibility). What is suprising me is even though my legs feel like crap and I feel slow my performance isn't reflecting it. I'm still able to outclimb most of the people I ride with the majority of the time. Maybe they are getting slower as well???

Anyway, I finally broke down and asked my coach about it yesterday. He told me that I am getting stronger every week so that is good. However he also mentioned to me that I have been racing since February, I should be getting tired. I guess that makes sense.

Well, I'm done rambling for now. I guess what I was trying to say is that we all have bad days, it's just part of the sport. I'm just getting tired of having what feels like bad weeks and months.

Oh, I would also like to know why a lot of the times I have the legs, other times I have the lungs but I rarely have them both.

TheKillerPenguin

3 days off will definitely make you feel the way you feel. Generally if I take more than 1 day off in a row I feel sluggish the first day back in the saddle. Don't go too hard tomorrow and you should be back to normal or pretty close to it for Sunday. You may even feel stronger than you normally do Sunday because of the 3 days off.

slowandsteady

It works on girls too. You just need to shave for about an hour and a half a day.