To ride or not with a cold?
04-07-13, 05:08 PM
#1
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To ride or not with a cold?
How do you guys feel about riding with a head cold? I did an internet search last night when I was feeling a cold coming on at bedtime (that little scratch in the back of my throat) and found a lot of folks who say don't exercise when you're not feeling well. But I also found a NY Times article that suggests there's a couple of studies that found positives in working out while you're mildly sick -- at least they couldn't show it was bad for you.
So, I got up today with a stuffed nose and mildly sore throat but still determined to ride. I did a very easy 20-mile route, though I didn't back off in terms of intensity. I felt awful at the beginning but much better while I was working out. After, I feel, well, sick. But I'm not sure I'd feel any better if I didn't ride.
How do you guys feel? Gut it out? Rest? What's your line where you won't even think about riding?
The one good thing about today is that nobody was riding behind me.
So, I got up today with a stuffed nose and mildly sore throat but still determined to ride. I did a very easy 20-mile route, though I didn't back off in terms of intensity. I felt awful at the beginning but much better while I was working out. After, I feel, well, sick. But I'm not sure I'd feel any better if I didn't ride.
How do you guys feel? Gut it out? Rest? What's your line where you won't even think about riding?
The one good thing about today is that nobody was riding behind me.
04-07-13, 05:26 PM
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Head cold/allergies, I generally ride. If I feel it in the lungs or body, no go...
04-07-13, 05:29 PM
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ride.
04-07-13, 05:34 PM
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I usually say no. Your body is low on energy as is and needing rest to recoup. My personal experience has proven to me that riding only makes my cold worse and prolongs recovery.
04-07-13, 05:35 PM
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Not. Done this many times..."ill ride at a relaxed pace..." Then your ride ends up being an interval fest...
then you get really sick and feel like crap...
Youll end up riding. Try to take it easy.
then you get really sick and feel like crap...
Youll end up riding. Try to take it easy.
04-07-13, 05:41 PM
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At most, I would walk on the treadmill for 10-20min. Really, you should just rest ... trying to exercise through a cold is a recipe for being sick an extra week.
04-07-13, 06:23 PM
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04-07-13, 06:27 PM
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I'm a long distance runner who is just getting into cycling but this right here applies to any cardiovascular activity. If it's in the head, even with a fever, you can ride/run as much as you feel like it. If it's in the lungs, you go to the doctor and check for pneumonia and then you wait until whatever it is to go away.
04-07-13, 06:28 PM
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Throat tickle = no way
04-07-13, 06:29 PM
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Head cold yes. With my allergies I'm always stuffed up and a good ride usually helps clear me up.
Stomach ache might not end well.
Stomach ache might not end well.
04-07-13, 06:30 PM
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I usually don't ride (commute) when I'm sick. There is no need to make yourself suffer if it makes you feel worse. Take the bus, nobody is judging.
04-07-13, 07:05 PM
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Nothing wrong with getting some exercise and fresh air. By the time you have symptoms it aint getting any worse. I think your body gets stronger and the little creepies don't like fresh clean air. In MI the colder weather beats them down. If you find it makes you feel worse or extends the illness then always do what is best for you.
04-07-13, 07:19 PM
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HTFU and ride! I once went riding with pneumonia....and suffered a heat stroke. Maybe you shouldn't take advice from me. If able, I prefer to battle through illness regardless of the activity. Sometimes foolishly so.
04-07-13, 07:24 PM
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Ride. Always ride. Well, almost always.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
04-07-13, 07:37 PM
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Head cold or cough with no fever: I ride.
Any amount of fever: I don't ride.
Feeling like I died, got eaten by a stray dog, then defecated off a cliff: I stay in bed.
Any amount of fever: I don't ride.
Feeling like I died, got eaten by a stray dog, then defecated off a cliff: I stay in bed.
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
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