tired legs

[Catrin]

sometimes I feel much less sore and tired if I do an easy spin (rpm over gears) ride the day after an epic- seems to loosen everything up and clear out the fatigue (I am 51)

This, also if my legs are still a bit fatigued after taking a full rest day after a hard day (in gym or bike) then I will take an easy spin on the second day. It does seem to help disperse what is left of the lactic acid. I've also found that it especially if I force myself to slow down and spin it easier for the last 1-2 miles of a long hard ride - I think it helps to work out some of the lactic acid. (I am 52)

[Crankin]

I'm also for an easy spin or easy walk. But sometimes, I need 2 rest days a week now. Not usually consecutive, and sometimes one will have some very light exercise. The boot camp stuff stresses me in a way that riding doesn't. While it's good for my bones, it's not so good for my autoimmune system. I will be more apt to skip a day there than skip riding, although I have missed very few classes in the past year since I started. Rest is part of a total program, and very important as we age.
I'm 58, at least for 5 more weeks.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Try compression tights. I find they really take the ache out of my legs after rides.

[pinsonp2]

I find that compression stockings or sleeves help me.

P2

[Rubylvr]

Good answers all- thank you. I will pull out the tights, and add an easy spin day after tough workouts.
It's really great to see women in my age group who are still ripping it up!! I wish I could do boot camp, but my knee
will only allow biking. I am supremely grateful for that.

[Chile Pepper]

Kiwi Stoker and Pinsonp2: Do you wear the compression tights during rides, post ride, or on the day after?

[Becky]

Another vote for compression tights. I wear them post ride, and sometimes sleep in them.

[shootingstar]

I've done some multi-day touring rides with my own gear. Usually I find after 2 consecutive days of cycling 80-100kms. per day, the 3rd day I want to scale down to 10-15 km. to at least rest but still retain muscle memory. It would a slow, tootling type of day.

By the 5th day or so, I really do need to not bike at all for such a touring ride. Then the next day I'm refreshed.

I'm 53. I've never tried compression tights. Just a short ride or 1rest day helps me.

For a normal ride to me about the city would be 15-40 km. per day. I've been on the bike daily for the past 20 days. That's very normal for me during spring to early fall-- to cycle for 14-25 consecutive days before I take 1-2 days off. It's weekends I do the longer distances. But I am not racing against my own time, I'm just cycling at a speed that suits me and for what I want to do along the way since cycling is part of my whole lifestyle ...being car-free for so many years.

Once you get used to cycling the way I do it, your body gets hooked to the natural drug endorphins that cycling/exercise produces or that natural "high" feeling.