Pipps

I rode my first century on Saturday.

I'm itching to get back in the saddle this evening.

Is only one full day's rest OK?

55/Rad

No reason you can't get back on if you feel like it. You may not be as strong as you were 2 days ago but that shouldn't stop you.

BikeNube

Depends greatly on the pace of the century. What you did the week or so leading up to it.

I would recommend riding hard for 3-4 more days then taking a solid rest week.

Bioluminescence

wut

That would be terrible. It would screw you up. You'd feel incredibly sore and awful.

You should be fine riding today, even though you might be a bit slower. Take it a decent pace today, then tomorrow you should be fine.

datlas 

Get right back on the bike the next day then.

Maybe take it easy for 1-2 days if you are sore, but there's no real reason to rest after a century.

banerjek

As soon as you feel ready to ride, you are.

Psimet2001 

??...there is nothing mythical about a century. It's a long bike ride. Go ride the next day if you want to.

androidtt

I usually do an easy 15-20 miler after a day of tough riding. Or swim.

MNBikeCommuter

As others mentioned, it's all about your conditioning and how you feel. Many week long organized rides have a century day with no break afterward and all fare just fine, albeit maybe a little slower. :-)

tcarl

I'd say go ahead and ride. You'll probably want to take it easy, maybe for several days. How do you and your muxcles feel? They'll tell you a lot about how hard or far to go. Consider staying in lower gears than normal and spinning a little faster to "stretch out" the legs. If you have hills to climb try standing up in a somewhat higher gear at a slow cadence, again for the purpose of stretching. I'd avoid monster hills for a few days.

veloboy971

+1... Just go ride. If you feel like crap go home. If you feel fine, keep riding.

PamolaPat

Seriously dude? Is there anything you don't ask the internet about first? If you want to go biking, go!

Keith99

I was thinking at least an hour after a century. Time to eat and digest a bit.

surgeonstone

Motion is the lotion.

Pipps

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad it wouldn't interfere with recovery.

I took a flat 10 mile route and mixed up some brief sprints with a generally more relaxed tempo. It felt good.

Though I definitely noticed less power and stamina in the legs. Hopefully that will return in a few days.

valleycyclist

I think any coach will tell you that if you are not sure if you should ride or rest, then you should rest. If you worked really hard during the century and can barely walk the next day then you should probably stay off the bike or do a really easy spin. If you feel like riding then go for a ride, but keep in mind that your body went through a lot the previous day and it may not be a good idea to go on the 30MPH group ride the next day. Or consider doing what was stated previously and go for normal rides for a few more days and be prepared to take a week of low volume training/recovery. Then build up for 2-3 weeks and take another low volume week.

Sanman023

4 hours including a nap..

NathanC

Facepalm.

How can anyone, apart from yourself, answer this?

DScott

There's not a whole lot bad that happens if you get this "wrong".

(where's my Scanners gif?)

FWIW, some people go ahead and do another century right after the first. Weirdos...

kenji666

Why did you stop after the first 100? You should have kept on going.

OldsCOOL

Let your body talk, it alone will tell you what it wants and doesnt want.

Pipps

One more question on this theme:

If I continue to cycle every evening this week whilst my legs are still below 100% will my general recovery be delayed?

valleycyclist

If you ride hard without recovering you will delay your recovery and will most likely not gain anything. If you feel like you need recovery time then do easy and shorter rides.

Mr 53x11

I generally ride the next day.....and the day after that.....and the day after that......and so on.

GirlAnachronism

Agreed. Also, the short easy rides should include neither "sprints" nor "tempo." If your goal is recovery and you're unable to hold back then a day completely off the bike might be a better choice.