How long to adjust to increased riding??

bobtbuilder

Since moving house, I have gone from 1 weekend ride of approx 80 miles and 1 or 2 midweek rides of 25-30 miles, to 4 days commuting (7 miles to work, 25-30 on way home), Saturday club run of 50-60 miles and a Sunday ride of 50ish miles.

Just wondering how long it will take my legs to aclimatise to the new regime? I'm in my third week of the new schedule and my legs (quads mainly, but also glutes) feel constantly tired. Most noticable is a lack of ability to put in an extra effort. i.e. I'm OK when just riding at a moderate intensity, but have no "oomph" in my legs when I try and give a bit of extra effort.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

amaferanga

Sounds like you need an easy week. Why not ride direct home from work instead of the 25-30 miles you're doing?

I was feeling similar to you last week so had a few days of complete rest. On my ride yesterday I thought at first there was something wrong with my power meter as I was (almost) effortlessly churning out powers that the previous week were painful.

sheffsimon

bobtbuilder wrote:

Since moving house, I have gone from 1 weekend ride of approx 80 miles and 1 or 2 midweek rides of 25-30 miles, to 4 days commuting (7 miles to work, 25-30 on way home), Saturday club run of 50-60 miles and a Sunday ride of 50ish miles.

Just wondering how long it will take my legs to aclimatise to the new regime? I'm in my third week of the new schedule and my legs (quads mainly, but also glutes) feel constantly tired. Most noticable is a lack of ability to put in an extra effort. i.e. I'm OK when just riding at a moderate intensity, but have no "oomph" in my legs when I try and give a bit of extra effort.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

A few things stand out, most obvious is lack of rest/easy days. Why are you taking the long route home 4 days a week??

Your commute is same length as mine, 7 mile each way. Why not just ride straight home 2 days a week, have 2 longer rides home (Tuesday/Thursday??) and do your weekend rides. Have Monday off. You will have more energy/inclination to give it some stick on your longer rides home IMHO.

Whats your new schedule for - just to keep in shape - sportive - race??

bobtbuilder

Whats your new schedule for - just to keep in shape - sportive - race??

I just like to ride. No specific goals as I don't race. I have been using the longer rides home to check out my new local area and get a picture of which roads lead where. I'm trying to use the good weather to the max and so I only drive to work once a week in order to take in new suits, shirts, ties, etc and take the old ones home.

I was hoping that I would adapt to the new routine and for it to feel normal after a while, but maybe this was optimistic / naive. I was basing it on cycling holidays that I have done where days 2, 3 & 4 are tough, but then I seem to find it easier after that.

I could drop the Sunday rides as these tend to be solo or occassionally with a mate.

jfw

standard approach if you want to build up to the volume you want to do - is you take what you were doing as a starting point - then increase your volume more gradually (instead of jumping straight into it and hoping to adjust).

so - consider miles or time spent riding per week - and increase it by 10% each week

every 4th week have an easier week (where you actually step back a bit in distance).