Let's talk about breaks...
- Thread starter SimonJKH
- Start date
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simmi
Über Member
- Location
- Auckley, Doncaster
Am new to this but so far have never stopped, 2 reasons when I am in the zone stopping is not an option and on my longer rides not sure I would get going again.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
I stop as little as possible, you can rest when you are dead! Or when you get back home!
Despite my preference of not stopping, sometimes it is inevitable, for example, on social club rides, it is nice to chat over some beans on toast and a coffee at the half way mark, but I don't like to stop for long else it takes too long to get going again. Or to wait for some slower rider's at the top of a climb (because you would like others to do the same for you when you are the one having an off day or are the slower one in the group).
Despite my preference of not stopping, sometimes it is inevitable, for example, on social club rides, it is nice to chat over some beans on toast and a coffee at the half way mark, but I don't like to stop for long else it takes too long to get going again. Or to wait for some slower rider's at the top of a climb (because you would like others to do the same for you when you are the one having an off day or are the slower one in the group).
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Honestly? That really put me back into my days "lone-wolfing" up and down the M1, the M6, and the M5, in an Astra. I thought I enjoyed it while I was doing it ... but looking back on it?
One of the pleasures in lone-wolf cycling (for me), is just those breaks and stops. Not so long that my legs seize up, not so frequent that I never get where I want, but NOT so infrequent that I get totally cream-crackered. But entirely and completely up to me.
It might be to look at a flower or a bird, grab a fine cake, down a good pint, look at a view, explore a battlefield, watch a skein of geese come in (early, this year; it'll be a hard winter, folks!) ... or on one occasion, listen to a piper practicing/rehearsing walking up and down a dam above Hebden Bridge. Doesn't matter - there's a thousand and one reasons on any ride for me to ... stop and stare; and lose myself, even for a moment.
The other bit - for longer rides. If I stop for a break only after 25 miles, I know my body and how/what I eat. I'll be lucky to get much beyond 50 miles that day (and pretty much b*gg*r all the next). Whereas if I'm stopping every 15-20 miles, I can do 60-70 miles a day easily - today, tomorrow, and the next. And a lot more, if it's only a one-day ride.
Ah, see that is interesting. A 'breaks tactic' effects your endurance. Next time I gor for a long ride I should experiment with this plan myself. Taking a camera sounds like a good idea. Set myself the target of photographing SOMETHING at every 15 miles... Where's my LC-A?
Davos87
Guru
- Location
- North Yorkshire
I am extremely fortunate that straight out of my front door and I am in lovely countryside with predominantly quiet roads. I have 4 or 5 regular routes where I have identified places to stop and take a break. A nice bench in a pretty village, a welcoming cafe in a country town, leaning against a dry stone wall and taking in the view etc. Even stop at a favourite drinking hole for a couple of pints and a chinwag where I have engaged in many hours of entertaining banter with fellow cyclists.Yes it great caning it up a hill or belting down one but never forget to take the time out to smell the roses.
mr_hippo
Living Legend & Old Fart
Although I have been out with clubs, groups and friends I am happier being a lone wolf bcause it's my route, my pace and my stops!
Very rarely do I decide where to go before I set off; much simpler for you to ask "Where have you been?" when I get back! However, I do have to decide when I am leaving either to head west for a hilly ride or east for a flat one. My first stop, either east or west, is after about 20 mins at a petrol station for a coffee. Then I check the weather, the traffic, how I am feeling, etc.
This morning looked a bit grey and breezy so a flat ride and possibly a shortish one; I prefer starting into a headwind when I am fresh and have a tailwind home but, as you know, that rarely happens! I decided on my 34 km ByPass run. It's easy enough doing 34 km non stop but I go out for enjoyment or as my Gran used to say "nourishment not punishment". It was nice on the ByPass this morning and I stopped at another petrol station for a Pepsi and a natter with the locals and then a short 6 km to home.
Tomorrow, I will possibly head to the hills, possibly either to the Zoo and Dan Kwian pottery village or reverse the route. Each has its merits, on second thoughts maybe I will head out to Korat Airport. Ask me when I get back!
Very rarely do I decide where to go before I set off; much simpler for you to ask "Where have you been?" when I get back! However, I do have to decide when I am leaving either to head west for a hilly ride or east for a flat one. My first stop, either east or west, is after about 20 mins at a petrol station for a coffee. Then I check the weather, the traffic, how I am feeling, etc.
This morning looked a bit grey and breezy so a flat ride and possibly a shortish one; I prefer starting into a headwind when I am fresh and have a tailwind home but, as you know, that rarely happens! I decided on my 34 km ByPass run. It's easy enough doing 34 km non stop but I go out for enjoyment or as my Gran used to say "nourishment not punishment". It was nice on the ByPass this morning and I stopped at another petrol station for a Pepsi and a natter with the locals and then a short 6 km to home.
Tomorrow, I will possibly head to the hills, possibly either to the Zoo and Dan Kwian pottery village or reverse the route. Each has its merits, on second thoughts maybe I will head out to Korat Airport. Ask me when I get back!
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
For me it depends on what I am doing & who I am with.
On tour we stop at the top of every hour regardless of whether or not we feel we need it (only exception is when you are late for that 1 a day ferry you must not miss). We also stop if I want to take a photo - but that is always a quick stop, the hourly stop is standing over the bikes, eating nuts & fruit and getting more liquid into us. We eat lunch early and it is 30-45 mins and then we will stop again around 2pm for a coffee break - 20 mins. On tour, it is not a race, it is leisure, I can't tell you where we are camping because it is never decided until we arrive there! It does not matter how far or how fast we go, just that we can continue tomorrow.
If I am out by myself and this is training not pleasure, it is another matter entirely. I don't need to stop to rest, I can just as easily ease up for a short period, not push as hard and feel rested afterwards. I only stop where legally obliged to do so. I can carry on like this for about 2.5 hours now (which is equating to around 35 miles currently) before my 'bad' leg needs attention. Anything longer means I usually have to deal with food (& my bad leg) and eating out is exceptionally difficult for me being allergic to dairy & vegetarian.
On tour we stop at the top of every hour regardless of whether or not we feel we need it (only exception is when you are late for that 1 a day ferry you must not miss). We also stop if I want to take a photo - but that is always a quick stop, the hourly stop is standing over the bikes, eating nuts & fruit and getting more liquid into us. We eat lunch early and it is 30-45 mins and then we will stop again around 2pm for a coffee break - 20 mins. On tour, it is not a race, it is leisure, I can't tell you where we are camping because it is never decided until we arrive there! It does not matter how far or how fast we go, just that we can continue tomorrow.
If I am out by myself and this is training not pleasure, it is another matter entirely. I don't need to stop to rest, I can just as easily ease up for a short period, not push as hard and feel rested afterwards. I only stop where legally obliged to do so. I can carry on like this for about 2.5 hours now (which is equating to around 35 miles currently) before my 'bad' leg needs attention. Anything longer means I usually have to deal with food (& my bad leg) and eating out is exceptionally difficult for me being allergic to dairy & vegetarian.
ditto - except for the bad leg
If I am touring breaks come when breaks come - photos, admire the view, coffee, call of nature, a quick snack, too hot, too cold, too rainy - unless I am making miles then it is about one every hour at the first convenient bus stop
Out for a ride (I don't do training) then it is generally non-stop unless something catches my eye
If I am touring breaks come when breaks come - photos, admire the view, coffee, call of nature, a quick snack, too hot, too cold, too rainy - unless I am making miles then it is about one every hour at the first convenient bus stop
Out for a ride (I don't do training) then it is generally non-stop unless something catches my eye
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
On my own, I pause to take photos or to catch my breath but I never stop in a coffee shop unless I'm with the group. No particular reason, I just don't feel the need. It's good to have the balance of both, though.
