Riding while sick?

[westtexas]

Today I woke up feeling like I had been run over by a bus. The senior clinician and intern I am on with right now have spread their funk around to everyone on my rotation at the moment and I appear to be the latest victim.

But, it's a beautiful day (no wind, cool and sunny!) and I really want to get out there and ride.

So I want to know - how many of you still ride when you are feeling under the weather?

I've read from several places that light exercise when you are ill can actually help you get better faster. Of course if I rode today, I'd just do the short route just to get some vitamin D and fresh air.

What do you think?

[Owlie]

If I'm feeling just a little "off" but nothing specific, yes. That usually helps, because in my case it's often psychological.

Anything other than that, no. I find that usually encourages it to get worse. Even if it's a cold, I don't. Especially not if I woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a bus.

If you want to go out and feel up to it, go for a short walk.

[nolemom]

I have been off the bike for the last three days. I normally ride if it is above the neck (no chest involvement) or fever-free. Unfortunately for me, the fever seems to want to stick around this time.

[westtexas]

Well, I ended up not riding - it's in my chest and head (but no fever) and I just feel too tired. Instead I ate buttery chicken fingers and french fries. This is why I should just ride even if I am on my death bed. Being sick is not good for my getting in shape.

But I am still curious to know about the rest of y'alls thoughts on riding while under the weather!

[indysteel]

I will ride with a cold but not much more than that. My last cold was 2006 though. When I get sick, I get sinus infections and am usually too bad off to do anything but lay on the couch.

[redrhodie]

I can't remember ever not riding because I was sick. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't think I've been sick (other than a cold) since I started riding. Maybe riding has helped my immune system? The worst I've felt on the bike was once when I had a headache. I won't ride with one again. It was not fun. Actually, it was really painful.

I ride with colds. I wouldn't ride if I were achy or nauseous.

[emily_in_nc]

No, I don't. I figure my body needs the rest to heal. There are always more days to ride later. But then again, I have only had one cold in 4 years, and I was on vacation, sans my bike.

[smilingcat]

Being hard headed, stubborn and really shutpid, I've gone on rides while sick.

Each time, it didn't turn out too well. I didn't get hurt but I think it was just sheer dumb luck.

If you are under the weather, be safe and stay home. Or if you must, ride your trainer.

[Artista]

I try to listen to my body when I'm feeling a bit under the weather. If I feel up to riding, I'll do it...like at the very beginning or end of a cold. I usually feel too bad to ride during the worst part of a cold so I'll stay home. The only times I make myself ride when I don't feel like it are after I've overindulged in fattening foods when I'm not ill.

[Chicken Little]

I don't listen to my body, do ride when I'm sick, and drink things with corn syrup in them.

I'm a mess.

[Artista]

I don't listen to my body, do ride when I'm sick, and drink things with corn syrup in them.

I'm a mess.

You crack me up

[SheFly]

I am sick. I have a pretty bad cold that started last week, and kept me home from work a day and a half (Weds and Friday).

Weds - no ride
Thurs - no ride
Fri - 27 miles on SS MTB
Sat - 62 mile road ride
Sun - 11.5 miles on geared MTB
Mon - no ride
Tues - commute to/from work (30 miles total)
Weds - no ride
Thurs - 12 miles on geared MTB

Today - I feel like cr*p! Yes, I am stubborn and shouldn't be riding. But, the congestion actually clears WHILE riding - it's later that I end up feeling worse. Stinks too - beautiful day here and I was planning another commute.

Oh - I've also ridden REALLY HARD the day before being diagnosed with walking pneumonia... I'm not that smart

SheFly

[Crankin]

Hope you feel better, Cathy. I, have had the same experience many times. I feel better while riding, but I pay for it dearly, later. I have learned my lesson, after enough times of getting a sinus infection, bronchitis, etc. from what started as allergies.
I have been fighting the pollen for a week; usually pollen isn't an issue for me, but I had to start taking Claritin in addition to Flonase this week. Wednesday night, I started getting a headache in class and felt really awful by the time I got home. I had gone for a run in the AM, which was dumb. Yesterday, I felt like that same truck had rolled over me, and it took me awhile to get out the door. I wanted to ride, or at least go out for a walk, but thankfully, it rained, so I rested. I am better today, heading out for a group ride. I'd like to go with the "spirited" group, but I know that would push me right back over the edge. I will be happy to do my 30 miles with the slowpokes, because I still am not right.

[soprano]

I ride for most of my transportation and non riding means taking the bus, which isn't any less taxing, especially in bad weather; the bus stops I use are both totally exposed. So, if I'm well enough to go in, I usually consider myself well enough to ride there. It helps that my Surly is very easy to ride and get up the hills; if I'm feeling unwell, I just lay off and take my time. When I had a hybrid I took the bus a lot more often.

I've been getting regular exercise for long enough that, when I get sick and have to stop, I think that I feel just as bad from the lack of exercise as I do from the illness. I may not do as much - certainly not any long group rides - but if I can make it out the door, I still go out.

[Grits]

It would never even occur to me to ride while I'm sick, and I will define "sick" in really high tech medical terms as "feeling bad." I'm home sick right now, and the last thing I want to do is exert myself in any way. I'm on the couch with a book, laptop, and roku so I can watch some Netflix (Eat, Pray, Love this morning. Mostly boring, but part about forgiving yourself really hit home).

I guess it depends on degree of sickness, but it is hard enough to ride (since I don't live in a flat area) when I'm well. I don't need to be making it harder. I will ride when I am feeling well again.

I also know that I am very fortunate that my sickness is temporary and with some medication and time will get better. For those with chronic conditions who don't have the luxury of knowing you will be completely well in a few days, I salute you for having the inner fortitude to get out there even when you do not feel well and are in pain, and I sincerely hope that the exercise does all the good things for you that we hear it does!