Bad Ride - Opinions?

[F8th637]

I had a ride like that once, and I whined and complained to my riding buddy (and when she got tired of hearing about it, I whined to myself) the whole time about how sluggish I felt, and how little energy I had, blah, blah, and and it turned out I had accidentally let a huge amount of air out of my rear tire when I was using this new pump I had, which I didn't discover until mile 19 of a 25 mile ride Ahem. Now when I feel like I am really dragging, one of the things I do, in addition to considering the food/water intake, is to get off the bike and check tires pressure and brake (for rubbing).

Was it hot? That's the other thing that can pretty much do me in...

[I'm not suggesting this is what happened with you, but it was a lesson that I learned the hard way!]

Just checked the tires and they're a-ok.

It was quite warm and hotter than I've ridden but it could definitely have been a lot worse. Actually, the trail ended up having a big cloud over it which then proceeded to rain on just the trail on my way home, I swear.

[stacie13]

I don't like to eat too much before I ride, and I just CAN'T eat hardly anything on my early commutes in. It's enough to ask my body to leave by 6:30 for the 1.5hr ride, thinking about digesting food, coffee, whatever that early makes me almost want to hurl.

My ride home is a totally different beast. I get more energy as the day goes on and by 5:00, I'm ready more than ever to ride. I usually am able to eat a couple hours earlier and I always feel great riding home.

It could have been a combination of things for you, in addition to it being your longest ride. I suspect it'll all become easier as you keep it up. I'm hoping that one day I'll jump out of bed, totally awake and feeling alive! Ha!

[Geonz]

Just checked the tires and they're a-ok.

It was quite warm and hotter than I've ridden but it could definitely have been a lot worse. Actually, the trail ended up having a big cloud over it which then proceeded to rain on just the trail on my way home, I swear.

Heat (or tires) ar eoften the mystery factor for me. Monday I went out and couldn't hold in our group... I just couldn't get to my "steady state" and by halfway through the ride (I'd dropped off the back and rejoined at the halfway point) my muscles were suggesting cramping (though not locking up) and the next morning I was still kind of stiff and tired... but then TUesday night I swear I worked twice as hard for just as long and felt worked-out but strong this morning. I think the difference was the 5 degrees between 83 and 88. I wilt. It's possible that pop-tarts and pizza are that much better than chili and gatorade... but I don't think so

[F8th637]

Heat (or tires) ar eoften the mystery factor for me. Monday I went out and couldn't hold in our group... I just couldn't get to my "steady state" and by halfway through the ride (I'd dropped off the back and rejoined at the halfway point) my muscles were suggesting cramping (though not locking up) and the next morning I was still kind of stiff and tired... but then TUesday night I swear I worked twice as hard for just as long and felt worked-out but strong this morning. I think the difference was the 5 degrees between 83 and 88. I wilt. It's possible that pop-tarts and pizza are that much better than chili and gatorade... but I don't think so

It's weird how that works out. It's almost an art than a science.

My stomach just flipped at the idea of pop-tarts and pizza anywhere NEAR a challenging ride.