Stiff legs
Freshfunkmeister
Posts: 79
Afternoon.
The last 2 sportives that I've completed I've experienced a wierd stiff legged sensation that I'm struggling to understand the cause so I though I'd throw it open to you guys here. After taking the first few miles at a fairly steady pace to ensure I've properly warmed up, I increase the tempo and try to ride at just below threshold ( i.e the fastest pace before conversation becomes stacatto'd ) for the remainder. After about 35 miles, when i have previously exprienced no issues, my legs start to really feel stiff and achey and really hurt to try and put any effort through. I'm trying to ride at the same speed on the flats ( anywhere from about 23-30 mph ) and I'm struggling to sustain 18mph and my heart rate won't get above 65-70% max. It feels like I've pulled all the muscles in my legs, comparable when you wake up in the morning after a hard ride with no warmup or cool down. I ride to work every day on the same bike, around 15 miles in total. I try to make up for what I lack in endurance on my commute by doing a few intervals ( i.e Strava sprints .... ). It's only been the last 2 sportives that I suffered this and nothing else has changed.....
Anyone any ideas
Cheers
The last 2 sportives that I've completed I've experienced a wierd stiff legged sensation that I'm struggling to understand the cause so I though I'd throw it open to you guys here. After taking the first few miles at a fairly steady pace to ensure I've properly warmed up, I increase the tempo and try to ride at just below threshold ( i.e the fastest pace before conversation becomes stacatto'd ) for the remainder. After about 35 miles, when i have previously exprienced no issues, my legs start to really feel stiff and achey and really hurt to try and put any effort through. I'm trying to ride at the same speed on the flats ( anywhere from about 23-30 mph ) and I'm struggling to sustain 18mph and my heart rate won't get above 65-70% max. It feels like I've pulled all the muscles in my legs, comparable when you wake up in the morning after a hard ride with no warmup or cool down. I ride to work every day on the same bike, around 15 miles in total. I try to make up for what I lack in endurance on my commute by doing a few intervals ( i.e Strava sprints .... ). It's only been the last 2 sportives that I suffered this and nothing else has changed.....
Anyone any ideas
Cheers
FCN 5 - Fuji Roubaix 2
FCN 11 - Giant Trance X3
FCN 11 - Giant Trance X3
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Comments
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Tough one this.0
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What have you got in your bidon?I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0
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If your body isn't used to riding long distances then its not going to feel right when you do ride a long distance, especially when you're trying to ride just below threshold rather than perhaps taking a slightly slower endurance approach.0
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Do you ever take a day off from cycling ? Could be either overtraining or a diet issue.0
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23-30mph on the flat ? I think I've got the same problem - do that for 35 miles and my legs start feeling funny too
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
Freshfunkmeister wrote:I'm trying to ride at the same speed on the flats ( anywhere from about 23-30 mph ) and I'm struggling to sustain 18mph and my heart rate won't get above 65-70% max
First I'd check under the seat to make sure the turbo button is still working.0 -
bonking? Do you feel a little spaced out at all? I get similar feeling when I'm bonking but I also feel a little spaced. First thing to look at is are you fuelling sufficiently? It's surprising how much energy you get through if riding at a steady high intensity and its important to fuel before you start hitting the wall.0
