Cwtowns

So recently I have been riding 20 miles every other day working towards a goal of 150 miles before the end of July. After each of the 20 mile rides I felt great and felt like I could ride another 5-10 easily.

Today I pushed and tried to ride my first 25 mile ride. I missed it by one mile because of a mixup with my tracking app and made it 24. I felt tired but not miserable right away. After a snack and a shower I felt horrible and completely drained of energy. No idea what happened or why.

Any insight for me and ideas on what I can do to prevent feeling like this in the future?

downtube42

Not enough info to really say. 20 to 24 isn't that big an increase. Maybe you weren't fueled at the start, maybe the weather was different, maybe you rode a bit harder, maybe you have a medical situation.

Being a software engineer, we tend to say "do it again and see if you can reproduce the problem."

crockettlarry

Just last week I had an unexplainable problem and it was 180° from what you experienced.

I felt crummy riding about 10 miles last Saturday and it was work to just do that.

However the very next day I was able to ride 20 miles for the first time on this bike ever and I felt like I could go further.

Like it has been said before, maybe you weren't fueled, maybe your body was just telling you to rest, maybe your electrolytes were a little off. Really not enough information.

I used to run a lot. There were days that I did not feel good on the run or afterwards and I could not explain why. I think it was just my body saying time for a rest.

Cwtowns

Here is a link to my Strava profile if it helps. I know that doesnt cover the fueled body or the medical side but it will have ride detail.

https://www.strava.com/athletes/8833507

Milton Keynes

Like downtube said, there's just so many variables at play and too little info to make a good guess as to why you conked out at 24 miles. The thing is that some days you conk out after a few miles, and other days you feel like you can ride forever. A while back after a busy day at work being on my feet & walking around, up & down stairs, and lifting heavy objects all day, I tried to go out and ride 10 miles but I just had zero energy. I made it 5 before I decided to quit. However, the next morning I was able to do my usual morning 10.

ChuckD6421 

Don't sweat it (sorry!). Assuming you've gotten a doctor's clearance to do what you're doing, it's normal.
Way back in a previous lifetime I enjoyed a modestly successful career racing, Cat. 2 actually. It was routine for me to complete a tough ride and do just as you did; shower, snack and collapse. Those were the days when several hard hours on the road a couple times a week were routine (and >500 miles a week not unusual!). Not bragging, just trying to give some perspective that even the fittest gotta recover. Enjoy the nap, you earned it!

Nimbuslove

most likely a lack of calories or water. its one bottle of water per hour, more if hot out and when your body has burnt too many calories in a short time it crashes as not to lose too much weight at once this forces you to slow down

philbob57

Calories, probably not. Water and electrolytes, maybe. I agree - do the ride with more water, and see how you feel. Then do the ride with the original amount of water and add something with salt, and see how you feel.

Congrats on going past 20 miles.

ChuckD6421 

Also be sure you're hydrated before you start. It's true what they say: if you wait till you're thirsty, it's probably too late.