Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
What does the sore area look like? Any raw tissue? Any hard lumps, maybe the size of cashews or so, just under the skin? If not, it's a pulled muscle. When riding into a stiff headwind, gear way down until you are spinning 80 or so if you have the gears to do so. Accept that 8 mph is a very fast pace and relax, because it's going to be a long haul. Don't try to push the pace or push a big gear.
No raw tissue at all, only muscle pain. I rode again today, same 12 miles but took your advice to gear down and not push for a higher speed. Overall it went well; much better than yesterday. It took me a bit longer to finish the 12 miles, but I have almost no pain at all today. Thanks!
Tomorrow I'll probably do 16, hopefully 20 miles. My ultimate daily goal is to ride 40 miles per day by July. I'm doing this because I want to do a century ride for the first time in my life this coming January, 2018.