Off Days

[Slowride60]

I’ve been trying to ride 20 miles daily.Not training for anything in particular just love riding. Thinking a day or two off just to rest. At 60 years old it feels good,but not wanting any long term injuries or pains. Any thoughts?

 

[raleighnut]

Sounds like a good idea but I'd wait til later in the week when this dry spell is supposed to end.

 

[PaulSB]

I appreciate you're not training for anything so you might feel this is not relevant. In my experience most coaches or coaching programmes will include rest days. The body does require time to rebuild itself and rest is as important as exercise in this instance.

Im far from a dedicated trainer. I cycle and follow a gym routine. My week is always 5 days exercise and two days rest. The intensity of the gym work is similar for each session but rides vary. If we've had a long, intense ride the next will be gentler.

Your rides appear to be fairly gentle so I doubt you're overdoing things. Listen to your body, if you feel a bit tired and achey give it a couple of days off.

 

[Bristolian]

Hi Slowride60 Like you, I'm not training for anything in particular and ride purely for the enjoyment. Having said that, I'm a bit of a data geek so have a bike computer and Strava account; but at 70 years young I'm not going to be chasing any KOM's any time soon Personally, I target riding every other day (normally between 15 and 25 miles each ride) but don't beat myself up if I miss the odd one.

Rest days are important as that is when your muscles repair and get stronger.

 

[Big John]

Sixty isn't as old as you may think it is. I packed in road racing (obviously as a vet racing other vets) at 60 but many of the guys i was racing against were a lot older than me. If you enjoy riding your bike and you can handle a 20 miler every day then keep going. If you feel that a day or two off is needed to recharge the batteries then don't beat yourself up over it. Ride as you feel. I'm now 68 and ride every other day doing about 40-45 miles each ride and that suits me. That gives me enough time to do the garden, DIY jobs, fettling bikes for a bike charity and pushing the trolley round Sainsbury's with the wife. It's good for keeping the weight down and keeps the head clear. Long may we all keep cycling.