Quote Originally Posted by Jiffer View Post
You might also want to think about "recovery rides" after a hard ride. Just take the bike out and spin easy to get your legs moving, but not working hard. DH swears his muscles recover so much faster after running a marathon, riding a century or anything really strenous, when he does a recovery run or ride later that same day and/or the next.

Sounds like we're at a similar level. I ride 90-ish miles per week right now. I feel I'm doing amazing for me! Pushed myself to do a climb yesterday that I've only done on the tandem before. And it wasn't too horrible! That's a good thing!
Oh Jiffer, I like knowing there's someone out there at about my same level! I'll be thinking about you when I'm out riding. I've never ridden a tandem though, so you've definitely got me beat there!

I'm struggling a bit with recovery rides. Because of the terrain around here, I can't avoid hills. Unfortunately there is really no place I can ride that would just be an easy spin. Even my short 10-11 mile loop has about 850 ft. of climbing. It sounds like I'm whining...but really I'm not! I am beginning to appreciate the topography around here because I know it's making me a stronger cyclist. But I feel like I have to look at other options if I want a recovery-type activity. So what I'm trying to do instead is go on walks after longer rides. It does seem to help keep the muscles loosened up. If I do a relatively hard ride in the morning, I try to walk 3-5 miles in the evening. And if I take a day off from cycling, I'll do a walk that day as well. I'm also trying out recovery drinks. Not sure I'm noticing a difference yet, but time will tell!