Bosock

Hi All

Finished a metric century on Saturday. This is not my first one as I did two last season...several months apart. I usually ride 3-5 times per week, pending work schedule, for about 20-40 miles. Usually ride 20 after work and a 30-40 miler on weekends. Been riding the road for about 1.5 years and the mountains for 2 years. What I would like to ask is what the rest of you do the next couple days after you do a century or a ride that is typically longer than normal. Now out there doing the metric century was amongst several others and general male pride had me going at a decent, not terrific, pace to at least stay with the flow.

The reason I am asking as the next day, with the exception of my rearend, I felt pretty good and wanted to go for a nice leizurely ride to loosen the legs up. I am no spring chicken, in my 40s, and figured a nice moderate to easy pace would provide a little exercise and get rid of some of the stiffness. However, a few friends really discouraged this stating that a day or two rest period after a longer ride would be the best thing for me. Now I do not argue that a rest day after a ride is a good thing, however, I work long days and cutting out time for my rides during the week can be difficult and I am focused this year on getting at least 100-150 miles in a week.

So, what do most of you do the next couple of days after a longer than normal ride. I know most will respond and say rest as rest is most often overlooked and one of the most important factors to training. However, do any of you get back on the saddle and do a ride the next day or two afterwards, or the stairclimber, or any type of activity. The other thing, the want to ride afterwards was not in an effort to push any type of goal, actually if i had felt beaten down I would have just layed on the couch and nodded off a good portion of the day watching the Red Sox (as we all know home chores and honey Do's are definitely bad after a hard ride), the fact was, that i actually did not feel that bad and wanted to go for another ride. So was I on some type of bikers high similiar to a runners high which i have to fight and rest as the body can play tricks, or do most of you kinda get a feel on what the body is telling ya and ride if you feel up to it. Anyway, it was a very good ride Saturday and for a very good cause...very enjoyable day. Would greatly appreciate any input or insight here...thanks...and good biking to all of you.

DataJunkie

I take a recovery ride, go swim, walk around downtown, hike, or do nothing.
Doing nothing usually results in very stiff legs and as a result I do not opt for that option regularly.
The recovery ride is my favorite option followed by a long walk.

Grumpy McTrumpy

I just listen to my body's signals. I raced 105 miles combined over saturday and sunday. I am not letting my ass anywhere near a bicycle seat until tomorrow evening at the earliest. Probably there will be lots of lying around like a slug and eating.

I have also sometimes just gone out for an easy spin the day after a hard effort. All depends on the signals I get from my body.

Creakyknees

you're not racing, right? so it's not like your training "has to be" optimal. ride for fun, enjoy your rides. if you feel like riding, ride.

lung

Exactly. Additionally, eat lots of good food...

DataJunkie

We forgot the beer.

Grumpy McTrumpy

yeah... beer essential

DScott

Hate to break it to you, but you're not that old, a metric century is not that far, and you're really in no danger of over-training. I'd do whatever ride you feel like doing the next day, your body will handle it just fine, and will let you know if it isn't.

Rest is over-rated, just ask pcaddie...

Grumpy McTrumpy

don't tell me that beer is also over-rated, because I will simply hold me hands over my ears and shout I CAN"T HEAR YOU.

rodrigaj

I'm 60 yrs old and do two metric centuries a week. I do zone one recovery rides on days after. If I really pushed hard, I might take the day off. Sleep is a good indicator. If you have trouble sleeping, you should probably take the day off. Listen to your body, not your friends.

big john

I'm 55 and 205 pounds and I did 85 miles on Saturday with 8500 feet of climbing in the middle 40. Sunday I did a 30 mile club ride with some sprinting/chasing. Came home to a little housework and watched the bike race on Versus and then a nap.

DScott

Never! In fact, it's under-appreciated, especially as a post-ride recovery drink.

thirdin77

Is there a rationale to this? Do you need to be well rested for another hard ride you're going to do in the next couple of days?

So you felt good enough to ride, wanted to ride, had time to ride, and knew you'd have difficulty finding the time during the week, in which case you probably won't ride/as much during the week, so you didn't ride because....?

ridethecliche

A recovery spindown for about an hour the day after a hard ride can help you recover faster.

HIPCHIP

If your legs are dead, then take the time off, but if they feel good, then an easy exercise program IS taking it easy. The main thing is that you're not pushing it hard doing it the exact same way as you did previously as that won't allow the muscles to recover. Even if you did some type of cross training where you are not using the muscles the exact same way can be considered a type of recovery.

If going out and doing an easy, fun ride gives you no problems, then that is fine. When I ran cross country we always did an easy run the day after a race just to keep everything lose and working, so if it works for you to go for a ride, then it works.

Bosock

Well thanks all. Needed a little biker support as friends and some family thinking I am getting overly zealous with the biking and hearing to much "dont want to over do it...your not getting younger" lectures. But honestly, and it appears like several of you feel the same way, just felt like riding the next day and if I am crazy for it, looks like i have some company in the looney bin.

Big John, that is great, I am actually very interested in climbing and tho i do not know your back ground or effort you have put in to get to that point, I hope here shortly i am shooting off for some similar rides and bigger climbs. Not a good climber at this point, however, getting better and starting to appreciate the pain (for lack of a better word) while pushing myself up the climb. Is that a sign of questionable mental health. I do enjoy the sense of accomplishment once you get to the end of a solid climb as well...now i do know that is normal. How long did it take you to get comfortable with doing those types of climbs?

Anyway, appreciate the feedback. Oh, did have a few beers as an analgesic for the rearend...that troupe seat was not kind to me Saturday. Thanks again for the feedback and enjoy your rides.

pmt

If you feel fine, go ahead and go ride. One thing that helps is just after a long ride, I use 2XU Calf Guard compression covers. They really feel good and make my legs fresher. I like them enough that I'm going to get the full-length compression tights.

patentcad

'Rest'?

DScott

See?

And he's old.

big john

I never said I was a good climber, I just slog through it. Been at this for 25 years, or so. Give it time for your knees to adapt, along with finding the right saddle and building your fitness.

MONGO!

Just go ride.

Mose

If you're looking to get stronger and faster, follow the advice here, especially recovery riding.

Additionally, I use a foam roller for self myofascial release on the quads, hamstrings, ITB's, calves and hip flexors, and I stretch out, and generally find that also aids recovery, or at least alleviates tightness.

rodrigaj

The Stick works wonders as well.

NYJayhawk

Do what you wanna do. Lots of times, I have 'dead legs' and after 5 miles, I feel like a million bucks. Even if you just go for a recovery ride, I've found that I personally have less soreness and stiffness if I get my muscles moving somehow.

Who are these friends who are dissuading you from riding? 400lb. couch potatoes who think a 65 mile ride is some kind of once-in-a-lifetime event?

I had my first century of the season yesterday, but didn't have time to ride today. Butt's a little sore, but if I had time, I'd have enjoyed going out for a short spin.

daxr

Definitely do a recovery ride - it helps get you over any soreness and helps get your legs back to fresh.

I always liked "the recovery ride" more than most training rides. Instead of reminding myself to htfu all the time, I'm reminding myself to go a little slower. And there's plenty of beautiful rides around where I'm at to enjoy at a well-earned slow pace - don't miss out, and tell your friends a metric century is really no big deal, you could do another one the day after if you wanted.