Two days after a ride I feel very tired and have sore muscles.

[Doug.]

Hello.
Re .above, I appreciate it's a difficult question to answer but here goes......
I am a fit active 71 year old, not over weight and have cycled for most of my life.
However I now find that after a 30 mile ride 2 days later I find my self "knackered" and the same for some days before feeling o.k.
I usually do the ride about twice a week and average about 14 m.p.h,the ride includes some very demanding (for me ) hills.
In the past after a similar 50 mile ride I was some what tired the following day and after that the the aches and pains gradually eased .
I shall be most grateful for any readers thoughts, tips and if possible advise as how to avoid being so "knackered"

I have tried protein recovery drinks to no avail and always try to keep myself hydrated when riding.

Thank you.

 

[vickster]

Stretch after riding, try a hot bath once you have

Or slow down a bit

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I cannot offer any advice but much kudos to you, I hope when I get to 71 I will be able to do 30 miles and at 14mph as well.

 

[jefmcg]

Well, if you are finding you can't do something as well as you once did, it's probably down to one of 3 things,

1. Natural ageing
2. You're sick with a minor virus
3. You're sick more seriously - heart, lungs.

I'd see a doctor to eliminate 3 and partially 2. Then if everything checks out, then this is probably the new normal. Take the extra rests you need or make the rides shorter. Maybe add some weight work in to keep your muscle mass. And revel in the fact that you are probably fitter than a lot of people 20 years younger than you.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hey, if I did (if I could do) 30 miles at 14mph I would be knackered for a week and I'm only 53!
You're doing very well, maybe take it easy a wee bit to feel better afterwards.

 

[gavroche]

You can't beat ageing but at 71, you are doing very well. I am 65 and can't do 14mph average. Maybe it is time you slow down a bit.

 

[adamangler]

Feeling tired and sore after exercise, thats a new one on me, never heard of that, wonder what it could be?

 

[Kajjal]

I am a few decades behind you but find after a ride a chocolate milkshake means no muscle aches the next day.

 

[screenman]

I would pop to the quacks for a check up, but that just to ease the mind. Keep pedaling and and you will still being doing those distances and speeds in your eighties, plenty do.

 

[Dave7]

I think its a well known problem. It has been diagnosed and "they" think that one day "they" will have a solution.
Its called 'getting old'.
I am 69 and each year can feel the effects.
I did a 22 yesterday and a 34 today and am definitely feeling it.
BTW....I have agreed a 20 tomorrow then I WILL be knackered.
You are doing well to be getting the mileage you are doing....keep it up.

 

[Dave 123]

@Doug.
On a Wednesday evening I go to a class at the gym that goes by the name of metcon, metabolic conditioning. It's normal for me to wake up on a Thursday morning (so far...) and feel stiff for half a minute, but for the rest of the day I feel fine. Come Friday morning the aches and pains kick in big time. Speaking to others in the class I think this is fairly normal.

Stretch lots, drink lots of water.

 

[Jaykun85]

im less than half your age and i get sore after a 15 mile ride. Maybe i should see a Dr
Maybe as others have said could be the new normal. But what is it they say .. No Pain No Gain so must be doing something right if concerned just take it easy enjoy the ride and when i hit the same age as you i hope i can do at least 20 miles before i hurt in pain

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Hello.
Re .above, I appreciate it's a difficult question to answer but here goes......
I am a fit active 71 year old, not over weight and have cycled for most of my life.
However I now find that after a 30 mile ride 2 days later I find my self "knackered" and the same for some days before feeling o.k.
I usually do the ride about twice a week and average about 14 m.p.h,the ride includes some very demanding (for me ) hills.
In the past after a similar 50 mile ride I was some what tired the following day and after that the the aches and pains gradually eased .
I shall be most grateful for any readers thoughts, tips and if possible advise as how to avoid being so "knackered"

I have tried protein recovery drinks to no avail and always try to keep myself hydrated when riding.

Thank you.

Well done fella for getting the miles in. I'm in my mid sixties and like you I'm knackered for a couple of days after a long ride, but I've been like that for ten years or more. The advise to get yourself checked out at the doctors is good, just in case something nasty has crept up on you, perhaps ease off a bit for a few rides, just to give your body a break and see how you feel, apart from that make sure you eat well, drink plenty and get plenty of rest. You may find its something you just have to put with and learn to manage.

 

[Scoop]

Firstly - I'm 26 and I can't keep at 14mph for 30 miles! Massive kudos to you!

As for your soreness, I'd probably suggest it's DOMS - delayed onset muscle soreness. With your age you will likely start finding your body cannot rid itself of lactic acid like it once did, hence now suffering with DOMS. Have you tried using a foam roller after your rides, focusing on the muscles your are now finding sore? If not it is well worth a shot. Hurts whilst doing the rolling but can really help with soreness.

Disclaimer - no personal trainer but just what I've picked up through the years!

All the best.

 

[jefmcg]

1. 
   
2. You're sick with a minor virus.

Just to be clear, I think this is probably the answer. Nothing will show up at the doctors, and in a few weeks you will back to your former self.

(I row, so know a lot of 70+ folks who aren't showing their age)