Riding with a cold-- is it a good idea?

[KristenT]

Well, I've been hit with yet another cold-- sinus congestion and pain, chest congestion and cough...

This is the second time this year-- first one hit right after I got my new bike, and now this one! Argh!

I feel like I'm starting to get over it, but wanted an opinion as to how soon I should get back on the bike... should I wait a couple more days? Wait until the cough is completely gone?

This is so frustrating!!!

[KnottedYet]

If your best friend was feeling like you are right now, and she wanted to ride her bike, what would you tell her?

[Blueberry]

I'd say wait for the crud to be out of your chest. Or just go really easy. You know yourself best - I can ride when I'm just a little sick and feel better. But if I'm too sick and try it, it sets me *way* back.

CA

[Grog]

Above the neck: ride.

Below the neck: don't ride.

In this case, because of the chest congestion, I'd say: don't ride...

[frnz]

I usually feel like exercising makes me feel better when I have a cold. If I'm up to it in the first place.

[OakLeaf]

Keep it low intensity, and if you don't start getting better in a normal amount of time, cut out the exercise. It does suppress your immune system a little. Great when you have allergies, not so great when you're fighting infection.

[ima_bleeder]

I tend to not want to ride. Especially since when I'm sick the weather is usually pretty gross too.

But my coach says if it's just a cold, ride easy. Don't try to push yourself to perform like you would healthy, but do get out and ride. If it's flu or something like that, don't ride!

And I've been happy to find that the easy ride usually does a pretty good job of clearing the crud out my sinuses and lungs.

[KristenT]

Thanks, all, for the advice....

Since the weather here in Portland has taken a turn for the better, and my dear man is going out on more rides (without me-- I made him go, though), I'm really wanting to go out and ride.

I'm feeling better-- still coughing a bit, though. I'm probably going to commute by bike tomorrow, taking it easy. If I don't feel like riding home, I'm sure one of my brothers will give me lift! We'll see how I feel when I wake up.

[ima_bleeder]

Kristen, I hadn't noticed you were from Oregon. Wasn't it great to see some sunshine yesterday! It seems like it's been forever.

I'm taking a couple of days off the bike (and taking Rx, and icing) to try to recover from knee issues in time for my race on Sunday. But I had to get out in the sun, so I took the dog for a walk.

Hope you're well soon, and able to get out and enjoy this weekend's amazing weather!

[janeho]

For me I find it is all in the timing. Going out too soon just makes the cold last longer, but going out at the end of a cold I find clears everything out. (Sorry if that's TMI!!!)

[KristenT]

Hi all!

Apparently, my strategy worked-- I didn't ride hard, practically meandered home... and now I feel pretty darn good!

My cough is 94% gone, and my nose only gets stuffy when there's too much pollen... but it's not a sinus-y stuffy, if you know what I mean.

And yay for the awesome weather!! It's about time summer showed up, I'm really looking forward to getting back to 3 days commuting by bike-- or more, all things considered.

Thanks for all your advice, it really helped me out. This forum is great!