Welllllll….. Yesterday I did a relatively hard ride and today went out for a more leisurely Zone 2 and 3 ride. My legs were tired and hurting at the turnaround after 20 miles and 1000’. Should have taken the day off, but had to go back. I was able to cruise between 16 and 21 MPH with an average of 17, but my legs were not happy. Even the smallest hills put me in a pain-place, so I slowed way down. So, your tale hit home. Even though I could run back to town at 19-20, the slightest inclines slowed me down. Your acquaintance may have a similar story. You just never know what’s going on with another person.

So.... not every ride is an accomplishment, many these days are sufferfests and 'make it back, alive'. Today, I'm glad to 'make it back alive'...
I knew, when I started, that today needed some judicious application of power vs sucking a wheel. It was/is the day for a group ride. And the ride I often Join has a varied rider group, which usually sub-divides into those 'On the rivet', those who try to hang on (which is where I hang out these days) and those who are happy with a comfortable pace. And it's a ride which has a number of routes - all of which focus on frequent , shorter but seriously steep climbs, one after the other...
I did 'hang in' for the early miles, but really straggled behind for the early climbs. Thankfully, I could suck wheels after the uphills and have just a bit of recovery. But once we got to 22 miles and hit the 'Hill to NoWhere', I was done... cooked... shelled... It (as many of the climbs are) starts and continues really steep 12% to 17% for the whole climb... About 1/2 way up I just blew up, not aerobically, the legs were done.... spent. Banged a 'U' and called me 'done'... Not something I had ever done, in a very long time...
3 straight days of hard solo rides seems to be my max these days... add a 4th in a strong group pace, and that may be a day/ride too far.
I decided, today, needed to be one of resignation, not assertive riding... and did some more miles, in the gentler terrains, max 5-6% grades and steady pace, with the idea to not completely bury myself...
Yeah, it was 38 miles and an OK average, which in no way indicated the major extremes of what I could do and actually did...
Disappointment is something we all experience, but it still is a great day, with happiness in doing (even if it was with some disappointment).
... I'll ride again tomorrow, and make sure the expectation level is more suitable to the current 'me'...
Ride On
Yuri

In hope you take a rest day now and then. Heard a coach say yesterday that a recovery ride is BS, and that true recovery is found on the sofa.

17% is beastly in my book. Have one about a mile from my house and haven’t tackled it this year, but it is scheduled for later in the season. Watched a GCN video about a memorial ride in the UK where one climb is an insane 32%. I would probably pop a wheelie, go over backwards and smash my head just to get it over with sooner.

It can be pretty quick if you keep cycling and simply cut out the ultra-processed foods. That may or may not be easy for you. It was pretty easy for me to stop eating crap like cereal and start enjoying more fruits and vegetables.

I have stopped eating bread etc.

^bread and sugar and in the end its really moderation

If you haven't checked this guy out, you might consider watching some of his videos on Utube. Leonard M Lee


He has a lot of videos on his utube channel and is still current. I enjoy watching him at times just to relax.

To the o/p:

I wonder if you are on the right bike for YOU.
When I got back into it, I ended up on a bike that was too small.
Quick 6-10 mile runs with it were no big deal, but anything longer, say like 12 miles, was incredibly tiring.
It may be worth it to go to a bike shop that does bike fitting and pay for the service. At the very least, you'll end up with the information on a correct fit for you.

Just a few other things I've found.
It's o.k. to gear down and be slow. I had a heck of a hard time with this at first. I finally got it into my head to find a gear that I could ride in and pedal consistently without gasping for air.

It's also o.k. to take rest breaks. We're not in a race or marathon here. We're getting fit enough on the bike to ride the distance we want to. Keep goals realistic, according to your abilities.

The most important one is hydration. I just started using a bottle cage with a bottle filled with nothing but cold tap water. It changes some rides from a gasping, painful experience into something enjoyable. I still stop for coffees just about every ride. The water drinking thing makes me feel a whole lot better on the bike.

-D.S.