How many days a week do you ride?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Fl
Posts: 137
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, GF 29er, old Trek Madone
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 47 Times
in
29 Posts
How many days a week do you ride?
I’m 67, pretty fit and started riding more seriously the past 4 months. I’ve worked my way up to where I normally ride between 35 and 50 miles (with a group) at a pace of 20mph +/-, 4 times a week. This week I upped it and rode 3 consecutive days, including this morning, and found I was pretty tired afterwards. Went for a nap. Going to ride again tomorrow and then I’m thinking I’ll go back to my 4 times a week.
Does a man need to know his limitations or just keep at it? How many times a week do you go riding?
Does a man need to know his limitations or just keep at it? How many times a week do you go riding?
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,219
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1349 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
Stay with it. I worked up to 2,000 miles a month when 66 y/o.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
Last edited by 10 Wheels; 01-01-21 at 05:50 PM.
#3
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
My general rule: One day a week, not sufficiently beneficial no matter how long or intense. Two intense or long days a week doesn't improve fitness but can maintain existing fitness. Three or four intense or long days a week supports improved fitness. Five or six days a week could be perfect or it could be overtraining if every ride is long or intense. Seven days a week is not for me.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 01-02-21 at 08:59 AM.
Likes For Barrettscv:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,831
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 892 Post(s)
Liked 2,048 Times
in
1,072 Posts
Generally speaking, higher intensity workouts demand more rest days.
You can probably ride seven days a week at low and occasionally moderate intensity, if that's want you want. If you're riding for the joy of riding, or for transportation, that's fine.
The other end of the spectrum is a structured training program designed to maximize fitness, with no goals of enjoyment. Then we're talking fewer days of high intensity with rest days in-between. That's likely four days per week, with longer rests every so many weeks.
Somewhere in between those extremes is going out and riding hard-ish a few days per week, which sounds like what you're doing. That's a very common pattern among recreational cyclists; maybe even the most common pattern. Typically this leads to a fitness plateau and a state of constant mild fatigue. Even that's okay, depending on goals. A lot of people like going out hard-ish with buddies five days a week.
The answer to your question depends on where your goals are on this spectrum. Age does matter, individual variation is more significant.
You can probably ride seven days a week at low and occasionally moderate intensity, if that's want you want. If you're riding for the joy of riding, or for transportation, that's fine.
The other end of the spectrum is a structured training program designed to maximize fitness, with no goals of enjoyment. Then we're talking fewer days of high intensity with rest days in-between. That's likely four days per week, with longer rests every so many weeks.
Somewhere in between those extremes is going out and riding hard-ish a few days per week, which sounds like what you're doing. That's a very common pattern among recreational cyclists; maybe even the most common pattern. Typically this leads to a fitness plateau and a state of constant mild fatigue. Even that's okay, depending on goals. A lot of people like going out hard-ish with buddies five days a week.
The answer to your question depends on where your goals are on this spectrum. Age does matter, individual variation is more significant.
Likes For downtube42:
#5
Full Member
Ride 7 days a week indoors and out doors depending on the weather. Some days of my wife has a doctors appointment I may miss the day.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I ride 6 or 7 days a week. I am actually on a structured training program, with recovery days built in, but recovery doesn’t necessarily mean off the bike entirely. Pre-CV19, I would bike commute most days and those rides made for good recovery. Now that I’m working from home, I will just go on a mellow ride around the neighborhood with my wife.
There are programs like Training Peaks and Garmin Connect that will quantify your training stress and fatigue, but you can also just listen to your body. Which it seems like you’re doing.
There are programs like Training Peaks and Garmin Connect that will quantify your training stress and fatigue, but you can also just listen to your body. Which it seems like you’re doing.
Likes For caloso:
#7
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
63 y/o here. Some health issues and injuries that occasionally interfere but nothing special.
No particular schedule, just whenever I feel like it and have time. However I usually feel like crap in the morning, so if I only worked out when I really felt good, I might work out once or twice a month. I make an insincere deal with myself to motivate myself: Whether I feel like it or not, I either put in 15-30 minutes on the indoor trainer, or just go for a ride, walk or jog and give myself permission to quit and go home if I don't feel better after 15 minutes. I might have given up and turned around twice in five years. Once I get going and warm up, usually I keep going. If I'm still feeling spent after an hour I'll cut it short and head home. If I'm not warmed up after an hour it ain't gonna happen at all that day.
But I never know how I'm going to work out until I'm warmed up. I use an HRV app to give me some guidelines but it's mostly voodoo. My meds can interfere with the HRV readings. Ditto caffeine, etc. So I don't make firm plans to do intervals on a specific day, long easy ride another day, polarized training another, etc. I just go, warm up gradually, wait 15-30 minutes, and then decide what to do.
Despite the many training plans I've read and tried, I tend to revert to what I've always done since I was in my teens. The Swedes called it fartlek -- roughly, "speed/play" -- and at least for awhile that was the same approach used by some Kenyan marathoners. I didn't know there was a name for it in the 1970s when I started doing that. It just sort of developed from semi-competitive roadwork and gym sessions, sparring, etc., with other boxers, and in service with other guys I was stationed with during PT sessions.
It's just an informal variation of polarized training. It's pretty much what most spirited amateur club rides turn into, with mostly steady riding and occasional sprints during some Strava segments, or informal sprints if the ride leader or someone else initiates it. Some club rides emphasize steady tempo or sweet spot riding, but some recent training research indicates that may tend to make some athletes stale. For me, a tempo ride for guys in their 20s-40s is my Zone 4, so it's not really compatible. Whatever, I just vary it and do what I feel like doing on any given day.
95% cycling until this year I added more walking and jogging. By October I'd cut my cycling 50% and switched to more walking/jogging, to work on some fitness issues and improve my overall fitness.
According to Strava and my other activity apps, usually 5 days a week. Around 40-50 hours a month. Until autumn, 500-600 miles a month. After October, around 300 miles a month. The rest was walking/jogging, usually about 5 miles, three or four times a week. Same overall time per week/month, but fewer miles. Same perceived effort, backed up by heart rate data.
Occasionally when I feel wiped out and my performance is noticeably declined I'll rest for a couple of days. I seldom go more than three days without at least walking a mile or so.
By October 2020 I was feeling stale on the bike. I'd been pushing hard for months and hit some goals including my fastest times on the same hilly roller coaster routes. But I suddenly felt sluggish, achy and tired all the time. And my neck was aching constantly (old injuries from being hit by cars, twice). So I cut back on the bike rides to a couple of times a week, usually 20 miles or less, and did more walking, then intermittent jogging, then more jogging than walking.
But now I can tell from some new muscle strains that I'm overdoing it with jogging. Kind of a lifelong pattern, pushing too hard for results rather than being patient and giving the body time to catch up with my ambitions. I've also been jogging backward for about 1/4 to 1/2 mile per outing and can feel the strain around the knee -- just muscle strain, my knees are fine. Hey, I grew up as a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, including his jogging style, so when I got into amateur boxing in the 1970s I jogged like Ali -- wearing heavy boots, alternating between jogging forward and backward. But I ain't that young and need to take it a bit easier and give the body time to catch up. And now I wear running shoes, not hiking or combat boots.
No particular schedule, just whenever I feel like it and have time. However I usually feel like crap in the morning, so if I only worked out when I really felt good, I might work out once or twice a month. I make an insincere deal with myself to motivate myself: Whether I feel like it or not, I either put in 15-30 minutes on the indoor trainer, or just go for a ride, walk or jog and give myself permission to quit and go home if I don't feel better after 15 minutes. I might have given up and turned around twice in five years. Once I get going and warm up, usually I keep going. If I'm still feeling spent after an hour I'll cut it short and head home. If I'm not warmed up after an hour it ain't gonna happen at all that day.
But I never know how I'm going to work out until I'm warmed up. I use an HRV app to give me some guidelines but it's mostly voodoo. My meds can interfere with the HRV readings. Ditto caffeine, etc. So I don't make firm plans to do intervals on a specific day, long easy ride another day, polarized training another, etc. I just go, warm up gradually, wait 15-30 minutes, and then decide what to do.
Despite the many training plans I've read and tried, I tend to revert to what I've always done since I was in my teens. The Swedes called it fartlek -- roughly, "speed/play" -- and at least for awhile that was the same approach used by some Kenyan marathoners. I didn't know there was a name for it in the 1970s when I started doing that. It just sort of developed from semi-competitive roadwork and gym sessions, sparring, etc., with other boxers, and in service with other guys I was stationed with during PT sessions.
It's just an informal variation of polarized training. It's pretty much what most spirited amateur club rides turn into, with mostly steady riding and occasional sprints during some Strava segments, or informal sprints if the ride leader or someone else initiates it. Some club rides emphasize steady tempo or sweet spot riding, but some recent training research indicates that may tend to make some athletes stale. For me, a tempo ride for guys in their 20s-40s is my Zone 4, so it's not really compatible. Whatever, I just vary it and do what I feel like doing on any given day.
95% cycling until this year I added more walking and jogging. By October I'd cut my cycling 50% and switched to more walking/jogging, to work on some fitness issues and improve my overall fitness.
According to Strava and my other activity apps, usually 5 days a week. Around 40-50 hours a month. Until autumn, 500-600 miles a month. After October, around 300 miles a month. The rest was walking/jogging, usually about 5 miles, three or four times a week. Same overall time per week/month, but fewer miles. Same perceived effort, backed up by heart rate data.
Occasionally when I feel wiped out and my performance is noticeably declined I'll rest for a couple of days. I seldom go more than three days without at least walking a mile or so.
By October 2020 I was feeling stale on the bike. I'd been pushing hard for months and hit some goals including my fastest times on the same hilly roller coaster routes. But I suddenly felt sluggish, achy and tired all the time. And my neck was aching constantly (old injuries from being hit by cars, twice). So I cut back on the bike rides to a couple of times a week, usually 20 miles or less, and did more walking, then intermittent jogging, then more jogging than walking.
But now I can tell from some new muscle strains that I'm overdoing it with jogging. Kind of a lifelong pattern, pushing too hard for results rather than being patient and giving the body time to catch up with my ambitions. I've also been jogging backward for about 1/4 to 1/2 mile per outing and can feel the strain around the knee -- just muscle strain, my knees are fine. Hey, I grew up as a huge fan of Muhammad Ali, including his jogging style, so when I got into amateur boxing in the 1970s I jogged like Ali -- wearing heavy boots, alternating between jogging forward and backward. But I ain't that young and need to take it a bit easier and give the body time to catch up. And now I wear running shoes, not hiking or combat boots.
Likes For canklecat:
#9
Pennylane Splitter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 1,878
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1782 Post(s)
Liked 1,435 Times
in
985 Posts
I used to ride/run 5 days per week, but the last few years I've changed it to two days of riding followed by a day off the bicycle (or 14-out-of-21 days, if you prefer a 'weekly' reference). Sometimes I'll ride through a 3-day weekend ( Fri-Sat-Sun) but mostly just try to stick to the 2 out of 3 day cycle.
Likes For skidder:
#10
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Lakeland,Fl
Posts: 483
Bikes: 2008 Trek Police bike 2019 Jamis Coda Sport 2021 Surly Bridgeclub
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Liked 924 Times
in
304 Posts
I'm 65 and according to Strava I rode 131 days in 2020, I am also involved in various shooting sports such as IDPA,sporting clays and traditional archery, very happy to have the health to enjoy the outdoors
Likes For 257 roberts:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 515
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 378 Times
in
197 Posts
I ride more than six days a week. I ride every day unless something prevents me from going. (It's raining today, and I try not to ride in the rain, so today is a rare day I will "rest.") Most weeks it's seven days of riding, but typically 15-20 miles. I'm riding for fitness and try to push it, but I'm not obsessive about "training" and just enjoy riding and breathing hard. I'm 70 and have been riding for three years. When I started I was taking days off and found that even though I was fit before I started riding (I used to run), my riding fitness showed definite improvement for at least my first two years riding. The thing that keeps me from riding longer distances is the time involved. I can do 15 miles in slightly under an hour, and most days don't feel that I can devote more time to riding. Even though I'm riding shorter distances, because I'm riding (almost) every day, I've gone more than 100 miles a week every week except one since mid-March, when my schedule was altered because of COVID. I'm taking today off because of the rain, but I've already gone more than 100 miles this week.
Likes For Random11:
#12
Senior Member
After 40+ years of avid cycling, I aim for 5-7 days a week, alternating hard (or long) and easy. One lesson from my racing days: "Always enough, but never too much" (ie, it's better to under-train than to over-train).
Likes For rando_couche:
#13
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
Being retired and 82 I have found I feel better if I ride ever other day weather permitting. Depending on the route I take I ride from 20 to 35 miles. This past year was different. With all the park restrooms closed, I rode just 20 miles on the days I biked.
Likes For rydabent:
#15
Senior Member
My riding is weather dependent. My last ride for the season was mid-November. Once the road salt goes down, no more riding for me. In the Spring, we'll normally have snows that require road salt until mid April or so This year was unusual in that we had TWO snowfalls in May (May 9 and 12). During the Winter months, I have my old-school rollers set up in the living room that I try to use at least three times/week for an hour or so...
After that, it is still weather dependent. I don't like riding below ~50° or so, and I won't intentionally ride in the rain. I also won't ride in the dark due to distracted drivers these days, so my 'commuting-by-bike' season is generally from the first of May until mid August. The sun must be above the horizon at the start of my commute (6:30-6:45am) That said, I try to commute by bike 2-3 times/week (25 miles r/t) and I can only occasionally take a two hour ride on the weekends due to housework and honey-dos.
.
After that, it is still weather dependent. I don't like riding below ~50° or so, and I won't intentionally ride in the rain. I also won't ride in the dark due to distracted drivers these days, so my 'commuting-by-bike' season is generally from the first of May until mid August. The sun must be above the horizon at the start of my commute (6:30-6:45am) That said, I try to commute by bike 2-3 times/week (25 miles r/t) and I can only occasionally take a two hour ride on the weekends due to housework and honey-dos.
.
#16
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
At 71 I try to get out 6 days/wk doing 20-25 miles pushing it hard. When the weather is just too bad I put the miles on the trainer in the gym, Fortunately, the guy that owns the gym hasn't shut the doors despite the dictators in charge, There's never more than 2 or 3 of us over there at one time even in the best of times so it's not like a big deal . Any time in the saddle is good time out in the fresh air
#17
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,178
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2561 Post(s)
Liked 5,594 Times
in
2,903 Posts
About four or five days a week because I enjoy hiking too. On the days I really push hard and exhaust my legs (going anaerobic several times) I have to take a recovery day. Age 66, but only back into road cycling since May, so have a lot of conditioning to go.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#18
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 490
Bikes: 2022 Priority Coast, 2022 Priority Current
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
99 Posts
I try to ride 4x per week commuting 24 miles round trip. I don't ride in ice/snow. I'm 55 and weigh about 210 lbs.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
Here where we have 4 seasons, it depends. I may ride everyday in a nice summer. But since we are in snow season, 3 times a week and no casual rides.
#20
Senior Member
Seven days a week.
I live in the forever dark grey rainy Pacific Northwest, and I have to get out of the house, especially with telecommuting, or I will get cabin fever.
I try to take it easy and enjoy the scenery and just ride for fun.
I live in the forever dark grey rainy Pacific Northwest, and I have to get out of the house, especially with telecommuting, or I will get cabin fever.
I try to take it easy and enjoy the scenery and just ride for fun.
#21
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Soon to be 71.......2019 was first year of retirement and I rode about 5,000 miles on about 250 days. PR for total annual miles.
In 2020, the first year of Covid19, I rode about 4,100 miles on about 305 days----------> more frequent shorter rides. Averaged about 5-6 days per week. Missed riding a bunch of days in Jan., Feb., Mar. and December. Rode daily in April, all but 3 days in May and all but 1 or 2 days in June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct. and Nov.
Have ridden 6 of the first 8 days of 2021 thanks to relatively mild winter weather. (Won't ride in rain or snow or if ice/snow on the roads. Or if temp is below the 30's)
In 2020, the first year of Covid19, I rode about 4,100 miles on about 305 days----------> more frequent shorter rides. Averaged about 5-6 days per week. Missed riding a bunch of days in Jan., Feb., Mar. and December. Rode daily in April, all but 3 days in May and all but 1 or 2 days in June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct. and Nov.
Have ridden 6 of the first 8 days of 2021 thanks to relatively mild winter weather. (Won't ride in rain or snow or if ice/snow on the roads. Or if temp is below the 30's)
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Likes For JanMM:
#22
Gone Biking!
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Indiana
Posts: 150
Bikes: Orbea Gain, Lynskey, Redline Conquest Disc, Bike Friday, Cannnondale T2 Tandem.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 50 Times
in
28 Posts
Seven
I try to ride everyday. At 71 training is a distant memory. I ride simply for the joy of it. I try to ride 20 to 30 miles a day. I ride year around outside. Winters in Central Indiana are not as challenging as northern areas I have lived, but at times it can be difficult. So on those days I only do 20, but once it warms up my goal is 30 miles of enjoyable riding each day. Sometimes life, all day rain or snow, ice, etc makes me take a day off. Enjoy whenever you can get out.
Likes For Pridedog:
#23
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,625
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 944 Post(s)
Liked 1,974 Times
in
565 Posts
5-6
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#24
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Monroe Township,NJ
Posts: 431
Bikes: Cannondale Quick 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 32 Times
in
23 Posts
Hi All,
I am 74, turning 75 in a couple of months. I ride 4-5 days per week. Last year I averaged 15.2 miles per ride.
Love it!
Best regards
I am 74, turning 75 in a couple of months. I ride 4-5 days per week. Last year I averaged 15.2 miles per ride.
Love it!
Best regards
Likes For flan48:
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,346
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 680 Post(s)
Liked 947 Times
in
554 Posts
7 days a week usually if there is no snow or ice. I can ride uptown 6 times in a day 2 commute rides of 9.5 miles each some errands then hop on the tandem for a ride after I get home. I was getting up to 250 miles week.
Likes For fooferdoggie: