psuaero

Hip,

I know just how you feel. Last month I was doing my normal 28 mile training route and went out looking to try and set my personal best time. I had a day off riding the previous day and it wasn't unbearably hot so out I went watching the HRM and trying to keep from blowing up. I pushed it all the way and was shocked to see I came in almost 7 minutes later than my best time and 5-6 minutes slower than average. I was devastated and couldn't figure it out. It was bugging me that night and the next day at work.

The next day I went to go for a ride was still feeling sluggish so I turned around and went home after less than a mile. That's when I realized I had forgotten to top off my tires the day before. While putting them back to the usual 110psi I also noticed my rear brake was dragging slightly. I also cleaned up and re-lubed the chain and then went back out. Suddenly I was on fire and blazing along at unheard of speeds. I ended up coming close to setting my record but missed it again by about 35 seconds.

Check everything over and don't be surprised if you find a caliper hanging or lower tire press....
John

shoerhino

My experience exactly. With a single day off, I feel great the next day. More than two days off and the first day back is very hard but once you get through the first day back, the next day normally is a better than average day.

Also, I agree with the previous poster about eating unhealthy. Pizza can make me feel sluggish as well and something that you ate may contribute to that feeling.

jsharr

A few days off the bike can be killer. I have been off going on two weeks with resp. infection.

Just get together with your team tonight and pound some beer and Jack Daniels. Tomorrow you should be leading the peloton again.

Cromulent

Hip,

Funnel Cake is the ultimate recovery food. Will make you strong like Voigt, fearless like Vinokurov, handsome and stylish like Cipollini.

Hipcycler

Just arrived at State Fair to do the show Crom....Satan food is all around me!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all for the great advice and similar stories.

Tonight I am going to check the pressure for the new tires..the brakes....then get a good sleep and have at it again tomorrow.

I'll report back.

And no...no pizza.
Eating and drinking smart as I head into my century attempt at the end of the month.

KevinF

Did you verify that once you put the wheels (complete with new tires) back on the bike that you got them centered in their respective dropouts so that the rims weren't rubbing on the brakes?

Hipcycler

LBS did the work.
I think the bike is fine, but tomorrow morning I am going to check the spin, brakes, and tire pressure recommendations for these....perhaps a little more air.

I liked the stiffer, faster feel of my old Michelins...but we'll see what happens tomorrow on my 35-mile route.

TheKillerPenguin

Depending on how you feel, you may be better cutting your ride short tomorrow and tacking some miles on to your sunday ride.

RoadToNowhere

Hip, I went out for last night's 6:00 club ride feeling good and ready to roll. I had taught a class at 4:15, which is a nice warmup for me, so I felt great from the start. I was well-hydrated, well-fed, and was ready to tackle the heat. I decided to head out with the 17 avg group.

About 10 miles out I noticed my heart rate tracking along about 15 - 20 beats higher than normal. It went up and stayed there. At 20 miles, my legs started cramping and I couldn't get out of the saddle without both quads seizing up. My choices were to head back the 15 or so miles solo at my own pace or to hang with the group and whatever the route brings. I chose to hang with them, hoping the worst of the climbs were behind me. I have never been so close to calling it quits on the road as I was last evening.

We got back in with an average of 16.7 over 36 miles. Felt like crap, every muscle aching - and my quads were still trying to cramp up a couple of hours later. I failed to really consider the fact that we were under an excessive heat warning with poor air quality readings, and that it might just have an effect. I should have paid attention and scaled the ride back a bit.

Good thing is, I know when the weather cools down a little I will feel that much better.

B

curiouskid55

Maybe its because you ride the usual 26 mile training ride every time you train.

Hipcycler

Why would that matter?

Plus, that's not correct.
It's what I ride on weekdays.

CastIron

We all have off days. Let it pass. If you have a few off days, then take the hint and take few off. It's nothing to fret over.

pedex

part of the periodization process is consistency, 3 days off blew that away

Hipcycler

Just three lousy days though?

I was on vacation in May for a week off the bike and this didn't happen.

Although I will say that was much earlier in the season and I certainly was not in the shape I am in now....

curiouskid55

Because your body has learned that workout and is doing its best to put out absolute minimum to do it. You are in a non-productive training rut. If you do the same ride the same way all the time it will be very difficult to show improvement, and very difficult to maintain expected performance when slight henderances occur.

Dead Roman

personally, I know if im pumped up and ready to go riding that tyhe ride is gonna be extra hard. Usually when I have to force myself to go or am not feelin 5 by 5 I ride like if got rockets strapped to me seat. The 3 days off is prolly what caused it, it happens to me too. I try to ride every day, not big rides. Sometimes its just a trip to the grocery store or something to stay loose(ha ha gammar police kiss my ass). Getting a few minutes on the bike on recovery days keeps me feeling good.

Hipcycler

You may have something there.

I DO favor that route a lot.
That's why I tackle some hills tomorrow for 35 miles and see what happens then,

pedex

better shape you get in, the worse that deal gets, 3 days off would cost me about 20-30 watts and take about 2 weeks to get it back, fitness like most things in life follows a curve which flattens out as you get closer to peak, classic case of diminishing returns

You arent even out of what I consider base mileage mode yet, your legs still cramp up when pushed even short distances, it probably isnt dietary either, its just you dont have the consistent miles in your legs which bring about changes like increased vascularization in your heart muscle and legs, takes lots of miles that are consistent and frequent or it wont happen.

Ive said it before and I will say it again, cycling is incredibly unforgiving, you cannot buy fitness or fake fitness, it comes only one way, and thats riding, and if anybody thinks a mere 3-5000 miles a year will get you much fitness your very mistaken. Riding as far as most physical activities go doesnt put that much strain on the body unless your really moving fast, so it takes a long long time to build fitness. It also uses your leg muscles which are quite big and usually fairly stubborn about getting stronger, it takes time.

This is why you wont see very many guys in their early 20's doing well in a big stage race very often, the guys in their late 20's to early 30's usually have anywhere from 50 to 200,000 more miles in their legs of accumulated fitness so to speak. Some of the bodily changes take years to get better, it is a slow process.

Hipcycler

ped....

Thanks for the feedback.

I do not question much of what you said, except for this actually, when you wrote--

If anybody thinks a mere 3-5000 miles a year will get you much fitness your very mistaken.

Actually, it's gotten me a lot of fitness, and I have the numbers and the doctor's reports from the last two years to prove it.

It has done wonders for this hip-replacement soon to be 48 year old!

pedex

maybe from where you were originally, sure I can buy that, compared to people that have been riding 10k+ miles year in and year out for 3 plus years your just getting started, your "bike riding" fitness is just getting started

I was 35 years old, hadnt been on a bike since age 16, and I went right into messenger work and 200 miles a week, that was about all my body could take at the time. 200 miles a week now is barely maintenance miles for me. Took almost a year for me to get to the point where I could ride full speed everywhere for 5 days straight and not even think about it much less hurt anywhere. "Lots of fitness" is very relative. I too was faced with taking BP medicine at age 35 due to sheer lack of exercise and bad diet/lifestyle. Only difference is, I managed to get over what I call the fitness hump, that place where all the miles and hard work pay off. Being able to do things on the bike I used to not even think could be done. 1 mile 12% grades used to stop me halway up gasping for air, thats a sprint now and my HR wont even get over 135. Power wise I went from struggling to make 150 watts continuous to now im up around 360 or so, and most of that came well after having 20,000 miles in my legs in under 2 years. Fitness is one damn hungry beast to feed if you want to have it and keep it.

maximum01

was it a muggy day, ie high humidity? i find that makes a huge difference to my ride energy. if it's cool and dry i can fly through a ride. even 50% humidity has a way of sapping my strength and endurance.

Sooner Rider

I rode poorly last Friday morning and someone in the pack suggested a cold coming on. Sure enough: Couldn't get out of bed Saturday. Got up Sunday and rode just find.

godspiral

too much beer not enough whiskey

Kenal0

How about the opposite days when you just are dragging, do not feel like riding, drag yourself out on the bike and end up flying? I have just as many of those days as bad days. When I have days like you did, I start out by checking to make sure my brakes are not stuck, tires have air, nothing is wrong with the drivetrain and then I just give in that it will be a struggle.
Kenal0

Hipcycler

...Indeed, those HAVE happened at times come to think of it. I wish they would happen a little more often but...

Heading out for a 35-miler with climbing in a few hours after some chore around the house. We'll see what happens and I'll discuss here in another thread later.

Have a good Sat. ride everyone!