Rest days

Pik n Mix

Hello ppl

obviously the importance of rest days are well documented, my question is regarding how regularly these should be taken

for example if i do an intensive hour ride each weekday morning then rest saturday and do a low paced epic on sunday would the saturday off be enough rest? im guessing its down to listening to your own bodys as well but are there any general rules regarding rest days.

any info would be great.

PnM

weeksy59

Rule of thumb would argue "more than you're giving at the moment"

But i can't talk. I often train 7 days

Ditch Witch

It depends on how fit you are.

You sound like you could get away with just having one rest day.

In triathlon, there's a concept of rest weeks. Every fourth week, you dial down the training significantly, but not completely. It achieves the same thing.

KnightofCydonia

I've just done my first 3 full days of riding since i started back. I didn't do as much on the third day as the first but still felt less strong, so today I shall rest, tomorrow do something light and saturday probably the same. Sunday off again and do it all next week hopefully doing more.

Ditch Witch

Just back after how long a break? If it's more than 6 months or so, I'd be inclined to just go out every other day to start, say, 2-3 weeks.

Then up it to 5 days a week.

SleepyLea

Sorry to dig up an old thread... But this is just what I was looking for. I am finding it hard to not take the bike out, (I assume this is a common side effect?). I think I will do one more ride tonight, then ask the Mr to take the shed key with him to work tomorrow!

Never riden properly, and only got the bike as a loosing weight aid, then I discovered how much fun it is. Been doing 7-8 mile a day solid, for the past 9 days, with a 15 mile jaunt thrown in too. I am doing pretty easy route, my question is... What do you do on your rest days? Just chill out? :roll: Dont think I can twiddle my thumbs!!!

robmanic1

SleepyLea wrote:

Sorry to dig up an old thread... But this is just what I was looking for. I am finding it hard to not take the bike out, (I assume this is a common side effect?). I think I will do one more ride tonight, then ask the Mr to take the shed key with him to work tomorrow!

Never riden properly, and only got the bike as a loosing weight aid, then I discovered how much fun it is. Been doing 7-8 mile a day solid, for the past 9 days, with a 15 mile jaunt thrown in too. I am doing pretty easy route, my question is... What do you do on your rest days? Just chill out? :roll: Dont think I can twiddle my thumbs!!!

Common wisdom has it that "recovery" rides are the way forward, a very "steady" paced ride, so you are not out of breath at any point. It flushes the lactic acid from the muscles and prevents you getting that burning feeling.

It's what the pro riders do on there rest days during the multi-day tours anyhew.

Ditch Witch

Yep, just do a short ride, if you can be trusted not to carry on going

But having a day off completely is no bad thing.

Muscle builds during recovery. If you don't recover, you don't get better as fast.

XxxBFGxxX

interesting read ths thread.


i ride 10 mile in the morning and 10 mile at night. to and from work basicly. i try not to ride sats but as said above i ahte siting in doors twiddling my thumbs. ride on a suday normaly up QE so that aint a easy ride.

I find some days i stuggle to ride. Had a few days last week were id idnt ride and wow i feel so much better this week.

only been riding 9 month or so. so dontthin i am doing to bad lol

The Northern Monkey

everyday is a rest day

Pik n Mix

I've now found my optimum ride v rest days and on my rest days I don't even go near the bike. I do gardening play xbox and cook amazing creations......