Other than feeling better after a ride (or moving in general), I have no other symptoms of RA. I feel this in my hips joints only, not in any other joints. No swelling, no fatigue, no fever. Maybe I'm not a textbook case. I'll keep an eye on it and this possibility in the back of my mind.
That is texbook case. There are many variations. Lots of people don't have the other symptoms. I don't. You probably have swelling in the joint that can't be seen. Hip joints only is textbook case too. I was exactly that way for years. So are many others.
It could also be other things not so good. Only a doctor can tell. Blood tests help him figure that out among other things.