Didn't enjoy the 45 mile ride today

[Chris Swift]

Hi all

Stopped cycling mid December due to Xmas, weather. Now back at work started cycling again today. Did 45 miles with 3 other lads. One cycles everyday the other runs everyday and has cycled john I grotes to lands end. The other cycles 3 times a day and keeps fit.

I admit like all of us I eat and drank way too much over the Xmas period.

We ride the same route as everyone knows the route. Before Xmas I was keeping up with them but today was horrid I was left behind and they was waiting for me at different stages. 5 miles left to get to the car and my muscles in my legs went tight and moving weird I had to get off bike and stretch.

Got back to the car my feet was frozen, cudnt move my toes. I love my cycling and this is the 1st bad ride I've had. I would never give it up and keep batteling.

Was my issues because I'd basically not done much exercise since mid December?

Now back at work we play football after work on Friday for a hour. End of January I'm joining my local swimming centre.

I'm been lent a bike trainer of one of the guys I go cycling with, he also mentioned my cadence level is low?

Your help much appreciated.

 

[fossyant]

Cadence needs to be somewhere around 80 to 100.

I had a bad ride last weekend as it was my first back on the bike for a few weeks, and a previously enforced layoff due to surgery. Felt like crap, and took 8 miles before I could breath properly. Went out late last Sunday in the rain for just 10 miles ad felt OK , if off the pace. Battered myself on the commute this week, and felt good until Friday when I was hobbling round the office.

Keep at it, we all get set backs.

Back on the commute tomorrow, and will cycle next weekend.

 

[Chris Swift]

Least I ain't the only one then.... Defo gonna keep at it, might try a commute it's just difficult with time I finish work I have 40 miles to get home due to child care and one lad at work has been knocked off his bike on the same route I would use 2 times since November, he now takes a different route but it's 6 miles longer, I just don't think currently I would be able to squeeze the miles in the time I got. Although on the misses next Thursday / Friday off I'm gonna try it!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Dont worry about it! Plenty of us have had stiffer first rides of the new year, just keep riding when you can and you soon get back into the swing of things....

 

[Gravity Aided]

The less time you are off the bike, the easier it is to get back on. Times' a Wastin !

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

due to over confidence and massive ego, I did 42.7 miles on Sunday, which I can only describe as pure Hell, first half was fairly easy with only a couple of big hills to climb but the second half was something I would like to forget a pure nightmare, the wind was against me all the way home every tiny hill seemed like a mountain and the friendly comments made by fitter riders as they flew passed me made me want to punch them, After 3 and a half hours I finally made it home not being able to feel my feet or face.

Next Sunday I will do it all over again, why!

 

[Hip Priest]

Quite normal, I'd say. I over-indulged over Christmas, then overdid it on my first ride back. 5 miles in I rode up a normally easy hill, and was genuinely nearly sick at the top. I'm back up to speed now though, except for the ice slowing me down. 80 miler planned for next Sat.

 

[Tommy2]

Did a 40 miler from harrogate to pateley bridge and back with every hill in between a few weeks ago, was the first ride after a bad chesty cold which put me out of action for 10 days, I had to stop up a couple of them as my lungs were still a bit goosed, I dont recall the last time a hill got the better of me before that, so disheartening but I have to remember I've done it before and my chest was knackered. Back to normal now so will have to do it again.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Hang on, you started cycling in earnest in December and you're saying you're struggling with a forty mile ride? I bet there aren't many beginners who could even cycling half that distance when starting out!

Chapeau man, good work!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Did a 40 miler from harrogate to pateley bridge and back with every hill in between a few weeks ago, was the first ride after a bad chesty cold which put me out of action for 10 days, I had to stop up a couple of them as my lungs were still a bit goosed, I dont recall the last time a hill got the better of me before that, so disheartening but I have to remember I've done it before and my chest was knackered. Back to normal now so will have to do it again.

I know the feeling, I've had a chest cold pretty much permanently since the start of September! So have my wife and child, so I'm not rushing for an x-ray just yet. At the moment I'm trying to get out for 'reasonable' 10 mile rides, I'm going to step it back up as soon as I can as I'm desperate to get back to where I was last year when I could do a comfortable 100 miles without dying.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Try some echinacea in your tea, and chamomile inhaled, that may help. Hillbilly remedy.

 

[Doc333]

My first 20-miler is put to shame by you warhorses. I can only see 40-mile on a map right now and it looks a long way. Hats off to all of you especially when you're sick, over indulged yourselves and suppose deep down you all knew that you were in for a chore but got on the bike anyway. Respect

 

[Chris Swift]

Thanks guys! Andrew thanks for reminding me that one lol.....

Hoping to get out and cycle half way to work in the week n back. If not then will do a few evening rides. Going out the weekend, try 20 miles instead.

Any tips for keeping feet warm? I was told wrap toes in foil?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Thanks guys! Andrew thanks for reminding me that one lol.....

Hoping to get out and cycle half way to work in the week n back. If not then will do a few evening rides. Going out the weekend, try 20 miles instead.

Any tips for keeping feet warm? I was told wrap toes in foil?

I tried all kinds of things to keep my feet warm and in the end I bought some expensive winter boots. It was one of the best cycling investments I've ever made.

 

[Chris Swift]

I tried all kinds of things to keep my feet warm and in the end I bought some expensive winter boots. It was one of the best cycling investments I've ever made.

So you cycle in boots then are they designed for clipping in ?