Is it possible to lose fitness in 4 weeks

J3w3ll3r

Hi

5 Weeks ago I did 60 miles in 4 hours and 4 weeks ago the Norwich 100 in under 7 both with relative ease, i know these times are not TDF threatening but Im happy with them as a newcomer to riding, but for the last couple of weeks I have been really really struggling to ride my normal loop of 12 or 18 miles depending if I take the short cut or not

The only difference I have made is swapping my Mavis Aksium wheels for a set of hand bulits which admittedly are about 400g heavier but more suited to me and the roads I ride on (41y, 17.5stone and naff roads). I still ride approx 100 miles a week and this has been the case all year

Any thoughts

Thanks

ai_1

The wheels won't have made a significant difference (well unless they're now causing major brake rub or something!)
Are you struggling to physically manage the normal loop now or you just don't feel good doing it? I've had periods pf a few weeks in the past where I just didn't enjoy cycling and didn't feel good on the bike. It has always passed after a while and I think I've always been better than before when it does. It may be a symptom of some adaptation, probably not!
I think lots of other stuff can effect your performance too, both physically and psychologicaly, like stress, sleep problems, nutrition problems or low level illness like a lingering cold.

J3w3ll3r

im physically struggling, my guess is its all of the above in little bits except the cold

markhewitt1978

Could you put your Mavics back on? I do go through times when cycling feels like a constant struggle to get anywhere, other times when it feels like I'm floating above the road and it's all effortless. Hard to tell which it's going to be before I get out.

Escher303

Yes you will lose some fitness in 4 weeks :- plenty of info here http://www.flammerouge.je/factsheets/detraining.htm

J3w3ll3r

Thanks for replys, I sold the Mavics to help fund the new ones, they just where not strong enough for me, so i had a set of 36 hole bullet proof ones made

JayKosta

J3w3ll3r wrote:

Hi

5 Weeks ago I did 60 miles in 4 hours and 4 weeks ago the Norwich 100 in under 7 both with relative ease ...

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It might be that you not sufficiently rested. Fatigue can creep-up without noticing a specific event as the cause. I'd suggest an extra few planned 'rest days', and then see how you feel.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

kajjal

JayKosta wrote:

J3w3ll3r wrote:

Hi

5 Weeks ago I did 60 miles in 4 hours and 4 weeks ago the Norwich 100 in under 7 both with relative ease ...

---

It might be that you not sufficiently rested. Fatigue can creep-up without noticing a specific event as the cause. I'd suggest an extra few planned 'rest days', and then see how you feel.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

This is good advice, for fitness exercise is only one part, rest and a good diet are very important to. Stress and a heavy work schedule will also have a big impact on your ability. I had that happen to me recently and it took a couple of months to get back up to speed.

damocles10

It seems you need more base training ( forgive if I am wrong ), as a newcomer, you may have quickly over trained your body thus the lack of performance. Doing a 100 ( KM or Miles ? ) is great, but, you need to build up to this for the body to react positively. Also, like stated, rest, good food and may I add structured training is required, especially in the early days.

Good luck with it.

EDIT: unless the wheels are rubbing against the brakes you won't really see any 'real' performance difference - of course that is subjective. Weight can be on your side too, they may be harder to spin up, but downhill you will fly....:)

J3w3ll3r

Thanks again

I have been out a couple of times since the first post and starting to feel a bit better

Im thinking about whats been posted and im expecting my first child this week, so im wondering if my minds been elsewhere and the Hay fever has been horrendous the last 4 weeks. Not sure how much riding I will get to do for teh next 18 years but heyho will see how it goes