A couple questions for you veterans...
 

ok, first off, let me run down who I am and what not.

I'm a father, a husband, a sailor, a liberal conservative, a lover of music, a lover of the outdoors, and an artist of words. I'm in good shape physically, maybe like 5 or 10 lbs to lose, but still I'm in good shape. 3 weeks ago I started riding my bike to work due to various motivating forces, and I love it.

I drive in with the bike in the bed of the El Camino on Monday morning and drive back on Friday afternoon when I get out of work. All the time inbetween, I ride to and from work. The shortest route I take is a hilly and challenging (at least for me) 9.4 miles. The longest route I take, now that I have my new city tires and wheels, is about 16.7 miles ( I have yet to take it, but I'm starting out this Monday!!!).

I know what it is to push myself and not hurt myself. I started using Endurox (from GNC) as my recovery drink, in tandem with my Megamen powder vitamins.

I want to ask, am I overtraining? Am I pushing myself too hard? And is my choice of recovery drink a good one?

If you're riding every day, morning and evening, along a hilly route that challenges you, it's possible you are overtraining. In my experience the signs are subtle, but after many years I'm getting better at recognizing them.

A few clues I use:

Are your legs sore all of the time?
Do you get irritated more easily than usual?
Are you having trouble getting to sleep at night?

You can use a heart-rate monitor if you've got one. If your resting HR increases significantly, that's a possible sign of overtraining.

Another nice use for an HRM is to keep yourself honest on your recovery days; you may think you're taking it easy, but the HRM may tell another story.

No. I would think 20-30 miles a day split between two rides is well within your limits. I frequently change up on pre and post ride supplements and protein and/or recovery beverages. Also, different combos of gels, bloks, bars and/or regular foods. The most important aspect of recovery is consistent hydration, during and continuing post ride. At least for me.

No, you're not overtraining. You're riding what? ... 75 miles a week? Your body can do A LOT more than that.

Have a look at this site to see what can be done:
http://www.ultracycling.com/

However, you should build up to that sort of thing.

Heck, man, I am 68 years old and I ride 150 miles per week, swim 4-5 hours per week, weight lift and walk regularly.

I don't think you are over training.

Recovery drink?

Recover from what?

You're my hero.

It doesn't sound to me like right now, you've been doing enough mileage to have to worry about overtraining, or even about recovery drinks. Not trying to put you down for not riding longer, because I think riding 10 miles most days of the week is great. Not every ride has to be an epic adventure, as many people seem to be doing in Bike Forums if you believe it all.

But on the other hand, since you've only been riding a short time, it's possible you might need to take a break on some days just to let your muscles recover.

I don't actually use "recovery drinks". I just eat and/or drink something that has calories, and then later on at normal meals, I make sure I eat at least some protein. You can get yourself run down pretty quickly if you don't replenish calories.

+1

that was my thought.....probably do not need a recovery drink... just drink while you ride (WATER) and then a bit more water when you get home....

after this regime for a while you will note that this (your current ride) is not enough miles.

enjoy and be safe

well thats the thing, after my ride, I get to work out with my command...pushups situps, and running mixed up in there...

AND THEN, during lunch, we'll top it off with a nice run of anywhere between 2 miles or a 5k...and THEN I get to ride home.

so, its not JUST that I'm riding to work, its that my ride is both my warmup and my cooldown workout bookending my OTHER workouts...

smartace...hahaha...well played though, sir!

I'm not riding just 10 miles a day...thats the shortest route home I take...I'm doing anywhere between 20 and 30 a day, and I plan on bumping that number up whenever I get the chance...as long as my wife will let me.

and believe me, I'm one of THE BIGGEST advocates of hydration...my wife HATED water when we met...now, she has her own camelbak.

OK - but I get about 3 hours of pretty intense exercise per day and don't even begin to think about a "recovery drink."

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a recovery drink if your body is asking for it.

Good luck!

Just make sure you gradually cycle properly. Easy to forget sometimes. Don't burn yourself out by pushing big gears. Gradually pedal faster (like 80-90 rpm, maybe more depending on what feels good for you). You can easily do an hour a day like that almost every day without needing much recovery (but with good hydration). Sometimes I just drink a nice tall glass of regular V8 when I get home. But if you feel like you're overdoing it, you probably are for the level of cycling fitness you are at.