What happens if I miss a week or two?

autobahn

I started as a newbie just as the autumn / winter was kicking in and have been quite consistent going out on Sunday runs with my local club.
Since the start of Spring my mileage & effort has increased and Ive been averaging 120 mile plus a week ,and have noticed my fitness coming on greatly.
I now take part in mid week club races where I get stuffed but enjoy them and treat them all as part of my learning process/fitness improvement.
My routine has been consistent for past 6 weeks, two good training runs and and a midweek race.
The next couple of weeks with family / work commitments are going to mean I miss my training runs and wont get much bike time, the longest break since I started cycling!!
Will my fitness level detoriate in a couple of weeks and will I have undone all that good work? Im will still be able to turn up to the mid-week races however if I havent done anything prior to this will I suffer badly.
I guess what Im asking is how much do you need to miss for all the good work/mileage put in to be undone. Im sure anyone new to the bike has had this guilt / paranoid feeling.
Any advice is much appreciated.

bristolpete

I would not worry too much. I feel the same as Ive now not ridden for 12 days and feel it - i.e I am desperate to get out.

I think you'll be fine, but just take it easy when you get back on. Dont hammer it. It may well even do you some good, let the body recharge etc.

I have had time off after a sale and rebuild, but have been ill in the meantime so it sort of worked out....but I will do nothing more than 30 miles this weekend in one hit.

rjh299

I did very little training over winter because had no bike after accident. Done 2 months pretty solid training since new bike and now taking a week or so off. Think I may have developed some slight tendonitis in my knee so not riding this week and maybe not much the week after, even though it's sunny! Think a week off resting now and then is a good thing. Then ease back into a couple rides and then start again properly. You shouldn't see much drop in performance and may even feel better for it.
C+ training programmes normally have a week off every 4-5 weeks

ut_och_cykla

one or two weeks with nothing and you might lose some top end. One or two weeks with fewer but perhaps more intense sessions - little measurable change. In other words if you can get out for an hour or so - do it and make it hard! But if you cant - dont worry!

mkirby

I had 3 weeks of recently, i found i didnt lose too much fitness but found i couldnt go as hard on the times i went out. In my case a club 10, found i would cramp up or just have dead legs. Getting some time in a couple of days before and my legs were fine.

I suspect your a lot fitter than me so it may not affect you.

sampras38

If you've done the training beforehand I doubt you'll lose much fitness in 1 week, even 2. I did the Hampshire Hilly 100 on May 9th and went abroad for 2 weeks 2 days later. Did no riding while away, just some scuba diving and a bit of light swimming and just ate sensibly. I've got the 190km Wales Dragon on Sunday and only done 1 turbo session this week, but trained hard for months prior to going abroad and have no concerns about the Dragon at all.

autobahn

Thanks folks for all the advice.
Good luck with the Wales Dragon, Sampras 38

vorsprung

I have found that taking 10 days off makes my speed increase when I ride again

A rest is often a good thing

Stevie2wheels

Did the Bealach Na Ba last Wednesday while up camping in Applecross. Had a week off and then went out today and flew round my 57 mile country run! Felt a million dollars!

bristolpete

To update this, I got back on the bike Friday. Did 10 on Friday, 30 yesterday and 30 this morning. Feel great. Bedding in new shoes so a little of the usual foot things, but other than that legs felt great once warmed up - especially this morning. I am sure you'll be fine.