Will I lose any fitness?

[lavoisier]

I've been back on the bike about 4 weeks now but due to a change in circumstances I will have to miss about 10 days. Will I lose any of the fitness gains I've made?

Paul

 

[Norm]

Difficult to be certain without a bunch more information about general fitness, exercise etc but I'd be surprised if you lost too much in that period. I reckon, though, if you take it easy for the first couple of days back on the bike and you'll be back up to speed before the end of the first week.

 

[Dave 123]

I had a cold, and generally felt awful for a week a few weeks ago, it coincided with horrible weather so my 16 mile daily commute and a weekend ride were shelved for the week. The first couple of days were hard, but I felt ok soon enough.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

When I went to the states for 12 days I put on 12 lbs but apart from the first few days back on the bike I was fine

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk

 

[lavoisier]

Thanks for your help. I hate moving backwards but it doesn't sound as though it'll be too much.

Paul

 

[HLaB]

I doubt you'll lose too much in 10 days, your body may actually take the rest positively.

 

[2wd]

Due to a recent illness I've not been on my my bike for 4 1/2 weeks

went out tonight for the first time and did 5 miles and felt great,the only thing that hurt was my @rse on the seat

I was a little aprehensive after more than 4 weeks off the bike but was surprised at how little fitness I'd lost,albeit the distance wasnt huge.

 

[Maylian]

I often find that after a proper rest period my first few rides back are normally better than ever. At most I've had 1 week off from my cycling so not exactly the same but it shouldn't take long to get back into the saddle and back up to speed.

 

[lavoisier]

Went out this morning and covered my longest distance to date, just over 20 miles at about 11mph average. So after a week or so off the bike nothing to worry about.

 

[Risex4]

Alot of it will depend on what you're doing in those 10 days off the bike I guess. If you're still going to be fairly active - walking alot, doing any other form of exercise etc - then I wouldn't have thought there would be any noticable difference.
If you are for whatever reason sat down constantly for 10 days, enjoy some "culinary delights" and drink more (Im thinking of my normal holiday here as an example) then I'd guess you may find the legs abit heavier when you get back on, but they'll soon readjust. Cardio fitness in my experience takes a lot longer to start any noticable decline.

Im thinking back to when I used to commute day in day out for years. After a week's holiday where the bike would be well and truely parked, the first run out was abit stiff - no problems with the puff, I just "knew" I hadnt cycled for a week or so. Second time out, back to normality.

Edit: And as you've posted whilst I was typing that; redundant!

 

[VamP]

When I went to the states for 12 days I put on 12 lbs but apart from the first few days back on the bike I was fine

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk

12 lbs in 12 days

You like the food huh

 

[Kiwiavenger]

5 piled plates of all you can eat steak on day 1!!! plus 99cent refills on mountain dew! my teeth almost fell out/rotted i swear

 

[Nosaj]

As Risex4 states if you have been fairly active doubt this lay off will trouble you much and as others have said you do have to rest the body.

I have had lay offs in the past (Number of weeks) and found that that although the first couple of rides can be harsh you are soon back up to speed again. I was actually surprised as my lungs were fine, my legs were OK (but admittedly not what they were prior to the lay off) but what really troubled me was getting my neck/shoulders/arms and backside back used to it all again.

I have been off since 29th Jan with an elbow fracture, I hope to be out again for my first proper group ride this sunday (I have been out doing light riding on the MTB though)

I may get another ride in the following weekend but will will then be off the bike again (daughters b. day) then I am on a 4 day tour of the cotswolds. I live in essex so am not to used to proper hills.

You will be fine after a 10 day lay off maybe the first one or two rides you may have a slight niggle but I really wouldn't worry unduly.

 

[valetillidye]

due to cirumstances that I dont want to bore anyone with I went out on the bike for the first time in about 6 months this week, I've still been going to the gym on a fairly regular basis so have kept fairly fit still so other than a sore backside the next day I felt great

 

[Sittingduck]

12 lbs in 12 days

You like the food huh

I was going to say 'water weight'...

5 piled plates of all you can eat steak on day 1!!! plus 99cent refills on mountain dew! my teeth almost fell out/rotted i swear

Then read this bit