Lacking Fitness

airbusboy

Morning,

I need some help.

I've just come back from about 3 weeks off the bike (holiday/work commitments). Before i went away i felt like my fitness was of a reasonable level, but over the last two rides i've been struggling to get the pace back into my rides, I wont even talk about my lack of endurance.....

Any quick fixes to get my power/endurance back apart from long COLD struggling days in the saddle?

amaferanga

I don't think there's any secret. Just keep riding your bike and it'll come back. You've probably not lost much in just 3 weeks - could be partly in your head.

Pokerface

Agreed - 3 weeks off isn't that big a deal. Just keep riding and you're fitness will come back soon. I had close to 6 weeks off and REALLY struggled at first, but after a few weeks the fitness came back and by some accounts am now riding better than before the break.


Some time off the bike, especially at this time of the year, is considered a good thing by most.

EKIMIKE

If you want the power back quickly then hit the hills. I had the last 2 weeks of September and then the whole of October off cos' of Uni and Illness (the two are linked no surprise). In the last two and a bit weeks i've got back to a decent level simply by finding as many hills as possible and feeling the pain.

Its not a nice way to get back into it but it works. For me it's more about the mental side of pushing yourself rather than the physical ability to work hard. You won't have lost a massive amount of muscular strength in 3 weeks. Get your tolerance for suffering up again and you're most of the way there.

bobtbuilder

Set yourself a tough but achieveable goal. This could be a distance, amount of climbing ascent, etc. Riding with a cycling buddy could help.

It's too easy to tell yourself that you can't do any more when it's hard.

I've just had 3 months off the bike due to medial ligament tear & subsequent surgery, and I'm finding it really tough. I've put on loads of lard and my fitness is abysmal.

First ride was a fortnight ago. Managed 43 miles with my regular cycling buddy.

Second ride was last Saturday. Had to go on my own, so set a goal of 50 miles. The last 6 were a real crawl, but the sense of achievement was immense. I know it's just a matter of time before I'm knocking out the 100 milers again.