teachme

Its the fartlik phenomenon... You fart and ride at a faster lik! did you eat beans on you day off?

KoolAidnPizza

Same affect as a taper in a sports season but probably less dramatic. If you've ever done a school sport that has a taper week then you should recognize the less is more idea. I'm running a 25k tomrow and havnt put in more than 12 miles a week in the last two weeks. Hopefully a taper makes me feel more rested

ColinL

I disagree. I've had some really bad days when trying to ride too many days in a row. There's a reason the carmichael workouts have a rest day or a true zone 1 recovery ride after the heavy interval days.

Oh. But in hindsight, I merely return to normal speed after rest. I don't suddenly go 3-4 mph faster. Speed gains are much slower but do happen.

Like I was saying, though, I have suffered through rides that were 3-4 mph off my normal rate because I was so beat up.

hhnngg1

That's not a speed bump. That's a speed DIP during the hard training phase. Totally different to compare that compared to a true course PR.

AlphaDogg

I usually inflate my tires once a week, but since my pinch flat, I've started doing it every day. Maybe it did help.

AlphaDogg

I just got back from a ride. Unfortunately, the trend did not continue. Though that might be because it was 40ºF and raining hard. My bike got soaked and so did I. I spent an hour cleaning my bike off. HTFU

KoolAidnPizza

Try riding every other day for a week if you usually ride every day. See if you reap the same benefits. Maybe your overtraining...

Zei

I don't think slowing speeds are a sign of over-training. It's only natural that after 4-5 days of riding performance will drop slightly, and come back up after a rest period. While not at the same level as day 1, you're still going to be improving your muscles on day 5 of a riding streak.

I usually ride 2-4 days in a row before 1 day of rest. Sometimes circumstance will dictate a 2 day rest period, and I'll start feeling antsy and anxious to ride again. I do notice better performance on the day after a recovery day in comparison to the ride before it.

ColinL

I agree. Overtraining is when your fully rested ability decreases rather than increases. Everyone peaks. You've got to then rest to start building again.

Six jours

He should take a month off. By my calculations he should then be capable of approximately one hundred and twenty miles per hour.

AlphaDogg

Alright. These past few weeks, I've been taking off Saturdays from riding because I volunteer at the local bike co-op on Saturdays. Maybe I am "overtraining." I don't "train," but rather I ride to be fast, have fun, see cool places and get into shape (or just to maintain my body weight so I can continue to eat exorbitant amounts of food without gaining weight).

When I've taken off a week from cycling, my ability was hurt. I guess 1-2 days is the max.

When I was in Israel for 6 weeks without access to a bike, it was tough. When I got back, I got on a bike and I wasn't able to go faster than 15mph without huffing and puffing.

Mondo734

Ok so here is what I think happened.
1. Rest did help
2. Tires inflated helped
3. Rain gives motivation to ride faster
4. Having taken a day or two off your mentally itching to ride and are more focused

So, a 3-4 mph gain is given the proper circumstance feasible in my opinion. I too have had similar experiences on a few select rides due to situations such as these.

AlphaDogg

It didn't rain yesterday, when I noticed the speed boost. Today, I rode quite slowly in the rain.

Biscayne05

Did that 2 weeks ago and had a nasty fall. We have street cars in the city and my 23c's slipped. I haven't been able to hit the gym and lift since.

AlphaDogg

That's why I didn't dare to go faster than 12mph on turns.

WHOOOSSHHH...

A day off at times, does work wonders!