Sudden fatigue?
06-26-13 | 07:59 AM
#26
John Wayne Toilet Paper
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke
Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum
Hello,
I've recently started biking regularly, about a month and a half ago.
Before, I was only biking on weekends on my hybrid and a bike that I bought on amazon that just looked like a road bike.
Since riding on regular basis, as a beginner, I didn't do anything significant; riding about 4 times a week, 20miles, avg of about 17mpg.
No considerable climbs(in Chicago) just stop and go type of riding.
I felt very comfortable doing the type of riding that I was doing and it was getting easier and easier, given how I felt after the rides, that I wanted to extend my rides by about 5~10miles per ride.
All of a sudden, about a week ago, I started having fatigue in the middle of the rides, usually at around 5miles into the ride and I have extremely hard time finishing even 20mile rides I was doing. Completely out of breath, thighs burning.
I can't seem to push harder in segments I was doing well due to the fatigue and I'm barely finishing the ride, let alone extending the distance.
Has anyone experienced something like this in their beginning days? How do I get over this? Its so sudden and too strange I have hard time thinking its just muscle fatigue build over a month or so. Thanks for your tip in advance.
I've recently started biking regularly, about a month and a half ago.
Before, I was only biking on weekends on my hybrid and a bike that I bought on amazon that just looked like a road bike.
Since riding on regular basis, as a beginner, I didn't do anything significant; riding about 4 times a week, 20miles, avg of about 17mpg.
No considerable climbs(in Chicago) just stop and go type of riding.
I felt very comfortable doing the type of riding that I was doing and it was getting easier and easier, given how I felt after the rides, that I wanted to extend my rides by about 5~10miles per ride.
All of a sudden, about a week ago, I started having fatigue in the middle of the rides, usually at around 5miles into the ride and I have extremely hard time finishing even 20mile rides I was doing. Completely out of breath, thighs burning.
I can't seem to push harder in segments I was doing well due to the fatigue and I'm barely finishing the ride, let alone extending the distance.
Has anyone experienced something like this in their beginning days? How do I get over this? Its so sudden and too strange I have hard time thinking its just muscle fatigue build over a month or so. Thanks for your tip in advance.
06-26-13 | 10:03 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 7
Bikes: 2020 Trek Roscoe 8, 2016 Trek 520 Disc, 2013 Trek 7.2 FX, 2010 Trek 4300 Disc
Agreed, nutrition... especially prior to riding.
Also, I am not far from you and know that the humidity has really kicked up. This will have an effect, and I have noticed it. It gets easier as we get conditioned to it though.
Also, I am not far from you and know that the humidity has really kicked up. This will have an effect, and I have noticed it. It gets easier as we get conditioned to it though.
06-26-13 | 10:04 AM
#28
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 29
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From: IL
Bikes: Cervelo S5, Trek 2.3
Brakes are where it needs to be, seat post has dropped about 2cm. Tire pressure dropped to about 90psi.
In terms of cadence, I try to keep it around 90~99, where I feel the most comfort. Usually don't go into <85 unless on the climb for brief periods.
It has been getting quite windier and more humid lately. I guess I really never took that into consideration along with resting.
Rule #5 needs to apply as well (and number #10 perhaps?)
. Riding solo doesn't do the trick as well as riding with someone else better I guess. There just doesn't seem to be too many group rides in Chicago which is surprising given the number of bikes and bikers in this city!
It looks like it's a combination of whole bunch of things. I will take a rest for a couple of days, rest, eat well, harden up and see how it goes
Thanks for all the pointers! really appreciate it!
In terms of cadence, I try to keep it around 90~99, where I feel the most comfort. Usually don't go into <85 unless on the climb for brief periods.
It has been getting quite windier and more humid lately. I guess I really never took that into consideration along with resting.
Rule #5 needs to apply as well (and number #10 perhaps?)
. Riding solo doesn't do the trick as well as riding with someone else better I guess. There just doesn't seem to be too many group rides in Chicago which is surprising given the number of bikes and bikers in this city!It looks like it's a combination of whole bunch of things. I will take a rest for a couple of days, rest, eat well, harden up and see how it goes
Thanks for all the pointers! really appreciate it!
Last edited by nahungry; 06-26-13 at 10:09 AM.
06-26-13 | 03:36 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Bikes: Pedal Force RS2, Canyon, Basso, Tommaso, Rock Racing, Schwinn, SWOBO, Trek
Trek 2.3 is a very nice bike, an aluminum Madone. Its called bonking, try a power bar (or protein) prior to a ride.
06-26-13 | 03:45 PM
#32
Jet Jockey
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.
Do you ever take a rest week?
Recovery time is huge, especially if you've recently been on a run ramping up effort.
Recovery time is huge, especially if you've recently been on a run ramping up effort.
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Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
06-26-13 | 03:49 PM
#33
Jet Jockey
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.
Woohoo, that's a big change. Did you have a compelling form/anatomical/fit reason for doing this? One CM is a mile when it comes to saddle height; I usually tell people to adjust no more than 6mm per ride in any direction, unless they know, for some reason, that they're grossly off. If you've dropped it too low, your thighs will absolutely burn because your position is bad. In fact, a saddle that's too low can sap 15-20% of your power, at a minimum.
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Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
06-26-13 | 04:32 PM
#34
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Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 29
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From: IL
Bikes: Cervelo S5, Trek 2.3
Woohoo, that's a big change. Did you have a compelling form/anatomical/fit reason for doing this? One CM is a mile when it comes to saddle height; I usually tell people to adjust no more than 6mm per ride in any direction, unless they know, for some reason, that they're grossly off. If you've dropped it too low, your thighs will absolutely burn because your position is bad. In fact, a saddle that's too low can sap 15-20% of your power, at a minimum.
I checked the settings on the bike and the seat has dropped 2cm from the original fitting that I had done when I first got the bike. Along with tire pressure dropping that is.
Must have been some of the bumps and potholes I hit.
06-26-13 | 04:38 PM
#35
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 30
From: Germantown, MD
Woohoo, that's a big change. Did you have a compelling form/anatomical/fit reason for doing this? One CM is a mile when it comes to saddle height; I usually tell people to adjust no more than 6mm per ride in any direction, unless they know, for some reason, that they're grossly off. If you've dropped it too low, your thighs will absolutely burn because your position is bad. In fact, a saddle that's too low can sap 15-20% of your power, at a minimum.
Also tires should be pumped before every ride, and brake clearance checked (after squeezing both levers).
06-26-13 | 05:49 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Northern CA
Bikes: Pinarello Paris/Ui2, BMC TeamMachine SLR01/Campy Record EPS
I think the point is we're all guessing. And mind you, they're mostly good guesses, some better than others, but guesses all. Since a medical cause cannot and should not be ruled out on a web forum, I'd suggest the OP go see his Doc. It's the "sudden" onset of this "fatigue" that makes me say this, along with a bit of personal history. In any case, a quick visit to the MD of choice should do no harm, and may reap significant benefit.
After all is cleared on that front, then start working with the previous suggestions.
After all is cleared on that front, then start working with the previous suggestions.
Last edited by bsektzer; 06-26-13 at 05:55 PM.
07-01-13 | 02:30 PM
#38
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 29
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From: IL
Bikes: Cervelo S5, Trek 2.3
Once again, thanks everyone for the input.
I took a few days off and rested, trying to eat healthy (trying that is, lol).
Typically, I bike right after work on empty stomach or even on weekends, with my mild superstition that any type of exercise is best done on empty stomach.
I went out for a ride this weekend, with sufficient amount of carbs about an hour before I went out with a bottle of sport drink in the bottle with ice, drinking promptly at every chance I get throughout the ride.
Turns out that I was able to not only finish my ride(30 mile run) without stop but average speed was up as well; 17.5 mph from my typical mid-16 mph over the same distance while taking 5 at the turn. Cooler weather probably helped as well.
Once again thanks for all the input and happy biking!
I took a few days off and rested, trying to eat healthy (trying that is, lol).
Typically, I bike right after work on empty stomach or even on weekends, with my mild superstition that any type of exercise is best done on empty stomach.
I went out for a ride this weekend, with sufficient amount of carbs about an hour before I went out with a bottle of sport drink in the bottle with ice, drinking promptly at every chance I get throughout the ride.
Turns out that I was able to not only finish my ride(30 mile run) without stop but average speed was up as well; 17.5 mph from my typical mid-16 mph over the same distance while taking 5 at the turn. Cooler weather probably helped as well.
Once again thanks for all the input and happy biking!
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