Rowan

Thanks for the clarification.

Shimagnolo

*Now* you tell me!

Thor29

If it works for you, great. But in my experience stretching and warm ups are a waste of time. The only caveat is if you are going for maximum intensity, in that case I would just start out slow and then ramp it up from there. There have been recent studies that have shown pre workout stretching to be worthless or possibly harmful. Most of the pain that people get is due to imbalances in their exercise routine, from bad posture, or bad form. For instance, running injuries are often due to improper form - heel striking rather than flat foot (barefoot style). No amount of stretching or warmups will help in that case.

hunterr41

Did you notice the auxiliary label on your prescription bottle that says "Do Not Take and Drive".

hunterr41

no it is not, an opiate can be addicting and causes drowsiness. I hope you are just trying to be funny but you are not!!!

I-Like-To-Bike

I always thought that bicycle racers and enthusiasts into "training" rides embraced the masochistic credo that "Pain IS Gain."

Grimacing is more pleasurable than grinning, eh?

Shimagnolo

I just saw this this morning: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...e-hearing.html

If I ever reach the point that I am taking drugs in preparation for routine exercise, I hope someone is there to give me a good dope-slapping.

digger

I commute 4 to 5 days per week (25km each day).

I'll do a mtb ride on Saturday of about 20 to 25 km.

My long ride is on Sunday; 100km plus. Depends on route.

I will take 800mgs of Ibruprofen before the Sunday long ride. I get headaches after these long rides, with the Ibuprofen they do not occur.

Not sure why I get the headaches. I feel that I am drinking enough and replacing the sodium. I feel that I eat enough. Doctor states that this can happen to many people after intense exercise.

Been happening for over 25 years.

If one is taking pain meds before a short ride (depending on what a short ride is to you) then I have to wonder if another solution should be explored?

snookanglr

Sorry to get some of you so fired up. I have arthritis in my C6 vertebrae. It's the one up by the base of my neck. I've seen doctors and I do physical therapy but (mild) pain is a part of my daily life. Of course I could quit riding but at this point I'm not willing to do that, especially since the pain existed prior to my starting cycling. Massage therapy helps and my bike was professionally fitted. If if makes anyone feel better, I did my last two rides "dope" free. I was just taking a poll.

NCbiker

Snook, don't feel bad. Most are just lucky they don't have to deal with arthritis. I occasionally take Ibupropen before a ride, but try to limit doing such. It's funny how some will freak out about the potential liver damage one might do by taking ibuprophen and then turnaround and drink a six pack every night. Everything in moderation I say.

Machka 

And ... how did you feel?

Taking anything more than 400 mg of ibuprofen before riding would make me feel somewhat sick, and my ears would start ringing.

I-Like-To-Bike

If you had stated up front that you were taking medication for an existing medical condition, no one would have gotten fired up.

You have a peculiar way of "taking a poll."

snookanglr

I felt about the same so that's encouraging. I'll do some more riding sans Advil. I've never gotten sick from taking ibuprofen. Heck my wife pops four at a time when she gets menstrual cramps. Better living through chemistry. Kidding!

Doohickie

I took a bunch of advil last night *after* my ride, but only cuz I dumped the bike and landed on the hip pretty good and took some skin off the elbow.

bandit1990

None.

Homebrew01

Agreed. In general, giving a decent amount of info up front gets better responses. In the mechanics forum, sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get information from people asking for help.

Machka 

And in the Touring Forum as well. No background info about what kind of equipment they have, what kind of experience they have, or what they really want to do in terms of touring ... and we're expected to tell them what kind of equipment to get.

snookanglr

Yeah but then again you could just answer the question or skip the thread. Do you take Advil before or during a ride and if so how much? If you're answer is no then you should skip this thread. No need to lecture or overthink things.

I-Like-To-Bike

No need for a poll either, eh? The responses don't mean anything at all to you; are you going to take more or less based on the "results"? So why ask?

snookanglr

I ask because I'm curious, I'm trying to make a comparison and yes maybe it will affect my habits. It's that simple. Again though, if this post doesn't pertain to you then please go on to another.

Machka 

Rather than comparing yourself with other people, why not just go with less than the maximum recommended dosage on the bottle?

steve0257

It's an American guy thing. If a little bit is good more is better.

I-Like-To-Bike

Sounds more like a stupid thing, unrelated to gender or nationality.

Keith99

Or general fitness level or age.

35 years ago I could jump into a new activity and ramp up much more quickly than I can now. Back then the issues for bike riding would have been chafing, seat and having shoes that fit. (and the warning to dring before thirsty). Things would be different now.

Smiziley

You shouldn't take any, unless you want intestinal bacteria routinely invading your bloodstream.

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/1...me&ref=general