It was the fly in the ointment. The caveat.

Simply my ability to recover was very limited. I would be sore for several days after a ride, despite it not being particularly intense (like the commute home). Then when I did ride hard, on a mountain typically, the muscle soreness would last for almost a week. This despite lots of stretching and such.

For possible causes I looked at, not my rides, but my diet instead. Aha. 30 grams of protein, for an entire day. This at a little over 72 kg’s of weight.

So off I went to the mall. For shopping, no less at GNC. Whey protein powder? Now that sounds promising.

Bag in hand, hopes in arm, I wondered if it would make a difference. I figured 40 extra grams a day, for a total of 70 would be a good starting point.

Ten days later I have noticed a huge improvement. I no longer am sore for days on end after a hard ride. Easier rides don’t tax me much anymore in the prolonged muscle soreness department.

Has anyone else had a similar experience - improvement of performance or recovery - by altering their protein intake?