Winded, in my legs?

[ACG]

Oh TE knowers of all, your help is needed. Sometimes when I'm riding I get the feeling of being winded, but in my legs. What is that?

[mimitabby]

tired legs?

When i had not developed my muscles yet, I would get to a point where I felt like I had no more strength. I would wear out my puny muscles.
This was noticeable because others that i rode with did not have this trouble.
Now I can pedal for a long long time without my legs giving out.
Perhaps you are just getting into shape?

[indysteel]

I get that too. Some days I just feel better than others. I think some of it comes from riding when I'm not fully recovered from a prior ride/workout. My legs are just tired. I just ease back and do a recovery ride when I feel that way.

Putting that issue aside, there are some stretches of road that just slow me down. I assume it's the road surface. I thought it was just me at first but then I started noticing a pattern on my usual routes. There's one stretch of road in particular that makes me feel like I'm riding in quicksand everytime I'm on it. Beyond that, wind, cold and terrain can make your legs feel tired and slow you down.

[mimitabby]

good point, INDY
nothing like a slight headwind to make you think your legs just got puny..
then you turn and go the other way. SUPERWOMAN!

[Eden]

The biological explanation is lactic acid. As your muscles use carbohydrates they produce a waste product called lactic acid. Your body can clear it away, but when you are working harder and creating more lactic acid than you can get rid of your muscles start to feel sore and/or heavy.

[aicabsolut]

The biological explanation is lactic acid. As your muscles use carbohydrates they produce a waste product called lactic acid. Your body can clear it away, but when you are working harder and creating more lactic acid than you can get rid of your muscles start to feel sore and/or heavy.

Not so. http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness.p...ctic_frederick

[IFjane]

Putting that issue aside, there are some stretches of road that just slow me down. I assume it's the road surface. I thought it was just me at first but then I started noticing a pattern on my usual routes. There's one stretch of road in particular that makes me feel like I'm riding in quicksand everytime I'm on it. Beyond that, wind, cold and terrain can make your legs feel tired and slow you down.

I had the same issue, Indy, and had no idea what it was until I really paid attention. Some road surfaces LOOK smooth but make you feel like you're slogging through mud. It's a strange feeling. I have even stopped and checked to see if my rear brake was rubbing because it was so hard to pedal!

[indysteel]

Interesting information about lactic acid. As a former middle distance runner--800 and 1600 meters--I'm very familiar with the feeling that comes after a really hard effort both on the track on on the road. When I climb, I definitely get that can't-move-my-legs-for-another second feeling. The "winded" feeling is something different, at least I think so. My legs just feel just a little less "enthusiastic" about spinning. It's usually temporary, which makes me think it's really more a function of the road surface, wind, terrain, etc. Some roads have an almost imperceptible incline and that slows me down. Of course, dehydration/hunger/inadequate recovery could also play a role.

[RoadRaven]

Like Eden, my first thought was lactate build-up...

But also, what is your recovery between rides like?

Sometimes if I have ridden hard the day before and then gone out for another challenging ride the following day, my legs have not fully recovered and they feel a range of things... sometimes one, sometimes several...

- like mud
- crampy
- empty and hollow
- unresponsive
- "hungry"

With me, these are caused by one of two things (and probably sometimes both at the same time)... insufficient recovery (which includes rest, liquid and fuel) or accumulated lactic acid...

Good luck with identifying the cause and "managing" your legs