Blonde Warrior

For various reasons beyond my control, I have not been able to ride much the last six weeks or so--just getting in an occasional workout/ride.

This week I have been able to get back on the bike finally and (obviously) noticed that I had lost some conditioning: not terrible, but certainly not in the form of earlier this summer. My question is this: how long will it take me to get back to the level I was at previously. Earlier this spring and summer I logged 150 miles on a good week and completed my first century. I'd like to do another one in September. Possible?

Thanks for the advice.

stea1thviper

id venture to say it is impossible for anyone here to know your body better than yourself. try working up to it gradually and see how far u get.

if encouragement is what you're looking for, then by all means go for it =). i just started cycling, and in a little over two months i went from 8 mile rides completely exhausted every other day, to 80 miles every other day completely exhausted. just go out and ride

Ed Holland

Step up the riding and enjoy! I reckon that since moving to a longer commute with more hills, it took about 2 weeks to make "noticable improvements". This involves about 30-35 miles a day in the week, with occasional weekend rides. The weekend rides are "suffering" since we had an addition to the family in March....
All I can suggest is do what you can - with the right motivation, you'll have no trouble whatsoever. Try to set some goals for weekly miles to help spur yourself on and remember to have fun - all the miles count!

I'm really lucky to be able to commute by bike. This gets me a serious base mileage without even thinking about it. It's also fun to pursue some of the "full kit" brigade on my ratty old bike, wearing a backpack stuffed to the gills with useless rubbish

Good luck,

Ed

botto 

Totally possible IMO.

Don't overcompensate for missed time. Your first week or two should be easy, moderate tempo rides, and nothing more.

You'll have plenty of fitness for a century in a months time, just don't shoot for some specific time and you'll be fine. Enjoy.

substructure

There's this one guy that rides with us who took off over a year and within a month was dusting even our fastestest rider. It kills me. I mean some guys are just born with it and others - like myself - struggle just to keep their balance.

But like others have said: Work it up gradually. Make it worth it. After 3 months off due to an injury I slowly got back on. Within a few weeks I was where I left off. But I certainly didn't rush it - even though my mind screamed for it.

slowandsteady

I once had to take off a month for bronchitis and actually improved during the "rest." Just go back to your normal routine and within two weeks you will be where you left off or slightly faster.

Blonde Warrior

Thanks for all of the input. That thing called "life" got in the way of riding and working out the last 2 months.

Blonde Warrior

Thanks for all of the input. That thing called "life" got in the way of riding and working out the last 2 months and was hoping that it wouldn't take me months to get myself back.

Thanks again.

GuitarWizard

I really hate when "life happens". It usually happens 1-2 days per week for me that I inevitably don't get to ride when I had originally wanted to.

+1

GP

You should be able to come back pretty quick. I was injured and didn't ride from 7/5 until 8/3. On 8/4 I did 9 miles and went 24 on the 6th. On the 7th, I did the same 47 mile loop that I did on 7/4 but I was 3 minutes slower. I'm not sure if I was slower, if it was windier or if I just took a longer break at the AM/PM when I stopped for water. My legs were sore but they were probably sore the last time too.

Drag

You kidding me? I'm just getting back into this. Found this forum a few days ago. Anyway, I have not been able to ride much the last six YEARS or so.

Great forum btw!

CPcyclist

Should not be a problem.

Richard Cranium

Oh yeah, you're right on track, no problemo - you go girl........ super duper !