Out of practice

[vikingcyclist]

I'm still a beginner to cycling, having only started a few months ago. The last two weeks I've not cycled at all (no particular reason except waking up and deciding, wrongly, that an extra half hour is more appealing) and I've now forced myself to get back on the bike.

Loved being back on the road, and I feel more awake than I have done any other morning over the last two weeks, but one thing I did notice is that my average speed has dropped substantially, despite an effort to push myself, and I got worn out which hasn't happened since about my third or fourth ride. Does anyone know how quickly I can expect to recover from my two weeks of laziness?

 

[Ticktockmy]

Dependes on the person, we are all different. Maybe you have too many expectations, remember practice make perfert, Just enjoy your riding, and you will improve, maybe in a few days or maybe weeks.
But for sure you will notice the differance.

Depending what length of ride you have been doing, may explain why your feel knackered, some people set there sights too high, and ride too far, whereas a few short rides of maybe 15-20 miles, will hone in your fitness, more than trying to ride 50 miles.

 

[BrumJim]

Change of wind direction? Makes about 3 mile/h difference in my average speed. Recently has been West to SWesterlies, and I have been flying in. A few weeks ago I was a bit slower.

 

[vikingcyclist]

Thanks - I think I'll go along with the run down idea as it makes me feel a little less guilty about not having ridden for a while.

I guess I'll find out for sure this weekend - I've got a forty mile trek from Surrey to London, which'll be the longest ride I've attempted in a single stretch. I've gone just as far over the course of a day before, but that was with nice long breaks.

 

[2Loose]

Change of wind direction? Makes about 3 mile/h difference in my average speed. Recently has been West to SWesterlies, and I have been flying in. A few weeks ago I was a bit slower.

The wind has started to pick up recently so it would be a logical guess.

The thing about wind is that sometimes it will be in your favour, but most of the time it won't be so I reliably use it as an excuse for any slow runs .

 

[Chrisc]

I've just been wondering the same. Before my holiday I rode my first 100m, was fighting fit and flying up hills in big gears no bother. Two weeks on holiday with easy cycling around Delft, despite covering almost 300 miles, has left me feeling flat and struggling up those same hills. I have been coughing and sneezing but not felt too bad but I reckon I'm under the weather, here's hoping we get back on form soon!