Mid-Cycle Rests - How Long?

Secteur

So far, the longest I have ridden is 50 miles and I generally dont take more than one or maybe two 5-10 minute rest stops.

This weekend I am doing 70 miles - I know this is a big jump from 50, but my usual 50 is hilly++ whereas this 70 miler is about half the ascent.

What I do know is that I will need a substantial break at my 35 mile half way point.

So, what's the longest you should rest for mid-ride before you stiffen up or does it not matter - the longer the better?

Is there any science to it?

snickwell

Erm.... just take a break for as long as you need? There's no need to over-think this - if you're feeling exhausted, take a longer break, if you're feeling good then push on.

Secteur

cool - sounds reasonable advice, I just wondered if there was any "metabolic science" which dictated that one should take exactly 37.42 minutes rest or something!

(I tend to overthink everything!)

Zachariah

I don't know about anyone else, but any longer than 20 minutes for me and I really feel l ike I'm starting again when we leave the cafe.

rhext

Personally, I'd prefer to take several 5-10 minute breaks than one substantial one. I find if I stop for more than a few minutes, I cool down and sieze up. So when I resume the first 20 minutes or so are more uncomfortable than perhaps they need to be.

action dan

Why stop :?: just ride at an easier pace

CyclingBantam

Like above, rest as long as you feel you need. Stop for some food and drink then when ready, make a move. You don't need to stay for hours as you won't fully recover. I normally stop for about 40 minutes depending on how long it takes at the cafe.

Secteur

action dan wrote:

Why stop :?: just ride at an easier pace

Your saddle must be significantly more comfy than mine!

;-)

Monty Dog

It also depends on things like effort and the weather - if you've been riding hard and then suddenly stop at a cold cafe for an hour, then don't be surprised that it's hard to get going again. I generally find that 40 minutes half-way around a hard 100 miler makes it more like 2x 50s judging by way everyone tries to tear each others legs off - if we'd only had a brief stop then it becomes more a steady plod. Factoring in the stop, the ride is probably shorter overall because everyones more refreshed / recovered.

brettjmcc

Maybe you need a new/different saddle then? Is it that the reaosn you need to take a break, pain from the saddle?

I used to have no end of problems with the Selle Italia that came with my bike. Changed to an Arione and I realised what my mates were talking about.

vorsprung

100km is quite a long way to go without a break of any sort
I would stop for a piss on a 100km sunday spin
On 100km audaxes there is usually a 5 minute tea break at the half way point

I think what I'm saying is that over 100km a 5 minute or less break is normal for me

I guess my saddle is more comfortable than yours

Secteur

Yes, saddle is a problem - it's the one that came with the bike - Specialized BG and is very comfy <30 miles, but after that I get numbness & aching.

It's tolerable, but a nuisance. I seem to be able to for longer before it aches each week.

Will wait until I lose a little more weight before I change it.

It's otherwise set up correctly, AFAIK

Billy Dunlop

You never found me and Arthur Metcalfe stopping for rests on our mammoth rides. We'd set off at 5:00am, have no breakfast and ride as hard as we could to Filey. And if you collapsed on the way back then that was it. You had to stay where you fell for a week until the lads picked you back up the following Sunday.

T-Rekster

Good topic and the replies have made me think a little, up to now I'd always considered it a personal failure to have stop partway through a ride, I ride solo and hate even having to stop at junctions for too long, I've always just backed off the power for a bit until recovered enough to push on.

Perhaps I have been wrong on this...


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ShutUpLegs

Billy Dunlop wrote:

You never found me and Arthur Metcalfe stopping for rests on our mammoth rides. We'd set off at 5:00am, have no breakfast and ride as hard as we could to Filey. And if you collapsed on the way back then that was it. You had to stay where you fell for a week until the lads picked you back up the following Sunday.

this

fixie71

Hi secteur, you don't seem to have any targets etc, why not join a local club like Bolton Clarion we would welcome all riders. we are a sociable club with rides published in a programme every three months the whole year round. Two sections, both sociable. don't think we are fuddie duddies however, we have a current euopean champ within our social riders.http://www.boltonclarion.co.uk/

grandad3

I stop 2 Pee and thats it. I find if I stop 2 long my legs are stiff and take a while to get going again.
I stand on the pedals to rest my butt if it aches and continue, ain't gonna change my way of riding now.
I do the same when on the mtb, just hate to stop

christurbo

T-Rekster wrote:

Good topic and the replies have made me think a little, up to now I'd always considered it a personal failure to have stop partway through a ride, I ride solo and hate even having to stop at junctions for too long, I've always just backed off the power for a bit until recovered enough to push on.

Perhaps I have been wrong on this...


.

I am exactly the same as you - I go into a total rage when the traffic lights take their time to change which results in a full on sprint to get some time back.

RowCycle

Long enough to have a pint?