Slow start after winter
 

Hi all,

I have started riding again after a 3 month break. I noticed that I am nowhere near my pre-winter pace. You might think that's normal but:

- I have kept running all winter (3x per week)
- I have lost around 9 kilos.

My running performance is constantly increasing, I have better VO2Max and less weight. I notice a serious drop in the cadence. I was easily spinning 90-95 rpm before but now I can sustain max 85 rpm for a short period and I'm quickly out of breath.

Is this a muscle issue? Did anyone experience anything like it?

It will come back. While you've kept up with running, they're still two different things that will tax you in different ways.

I did a fair amount of conditioning one year during my off-season for soccer. And I spent a load of time on the elliptical. But when I got out on the field running and changing direction, it still took a while to get where I needed to be.

Running and cycling are different.

Next winter, take a spinning class once or twice a week, and try to get outside to ride now and then. How cold and snowy is your part of Italy? Even casual rides on the weekends would help maintain cycling fitness.

Switzerland is 5 minutes away and I can see the alps from my window. That's how cold it is. I did buy some thermal clothes but I still feel cold on my face, arms and hands under 10 degree Celsius.

I guess I should re-consider buying a roller for next winter.

Yes, the cycling suffered from lack of use. But, perhaps your overall health and well being is better for the cross training?

I think that it will all come back quickly. Your running and weight loss show that your overall aerobic conditioning is good. The cycling-specific motions are a bit detrained right now and your muscles are having to work very differently from your usual running work.

Do some spinning to get your cadence back up and I'll bet that you are feeling much better in two weeks! As for the hills, nothing will help that except to ride up them - a lot!

You can see the alps from your window, and you are complaining? I have zero sympathy for you, hope you freeze to death. Anyway...

Did you buy warm clothes, or did you buy some kind of thermal, cycling-specific underwear? And 10 celsius isn't all that cold, -10c isn't too cold to ride if you dress sensibly. Have you tried wearing something appropriate for cold weather like a wind proof shell and a layer of wool or fleece? The face is easy to take care of with a thick wool scarf.

The first, uhm maybe the second, or maybe both. Let me tell you what I did. I bought a winter team kit, consisting of a long sleeve jersey (pretty much useless) and a long bib (good stuff). I also have long sleeve base layer tops of different materials (merino wool, lycra, cotton)


10C is not that cold, I can even call it a nice day to run in t-shirt. Cycling is different though. When I reach speeds over 30kph the wind penetrates through whatever piece of garment I have, my skin, my muscles and bones and follows the same trajectory in reverse order to leave my body.

I also lack quality gloves and a face mask for the winter but once I felt that painful cold on my arms and core I lacked any interest of buying them. A wind proof jacket might help a lot, thanks for the idea.


Even if it's non-existent, thank you for your sympathy. I will try that right away. But I prefer doing it on a snowboard instead (I don't know if you go all jelly about that either. Don't really care though.)

The wind proof outer layer makes all the difference, and if you snowboard, then maybe you do have warm gloves after all.

I think something was lost in translation here :) Lake Como looks like a great place to ride, put on some sensible clothes and enjoy it.

maybe you lost some muscle mass. maybe concentrating on some hill climbing will get you back up to speed, so-to-speak