Recovery, First 30 Mile Trip and Bike Shorts

[Becky]

How do you recover from long rides or is exhaustion normal after a couple of hours of riding? I get a dull headache and feel a little sick despite eating/drinking/resting afterwards.

I second the motion that you may be dehydrated. This blog post really opened my eyes about hydration and fueling.

PS. Congrats on the new bike!

[TigerMom]

Congrats on your new mileage!!! I still remember when I thought that 10miles was a lot (which was one year ago).

[Owlie]

Not eating or hydrating well before a ride is a recipe for disaster (or at least feeling crummy), I've found. And eat during a ride too. Electrolytes are important, especially as it warms up. A little caffeine post-ride helps me too.

Granted, you'll probably feel it after a ride that's significantly longer or harder than your past rides.

[Bethany1]

Here's my cross bike: Ridley X-BOW. I keep thinking it's hydration/food issues, but I eat/drink plenty. Short of buying a scale and weighing myself before/after a ride, I guess I haven't figured it all out. Just wondered if it was normal to feel really tired (not I'm going do die and puke tired) and a little lightheaded/headache after a ride or a few hours after riding. Allergy med does help some so figure it might be that.

Looking forward to my first sponsored ride on the 22nd for a quarter century up in Lincoln. Riding with a friend. Debating on the Muk or the Ridley. It's all flat so it really depends on how attention I want given the Muk always gets plenty of attention. She has a fat bike as well, so we'd really draw attention to ourselves. LOL.

[mariacycle]

Bethany - congratulations on the new bike and a great ride! On the topic of road shorts snagging, have you considered a slightly different material than the normal lycra? I wear Louis Garneau Zone 3K shorts, which are more mesh than spandex, and I haven't had them snag or pill at all. I also find the waistband infinitely more comfortable than everything else I tried.

[colorisnt]

Here's my cross bike: Ridley X-BOW. I keep thinking it's hydration/food issues, but I eat/drink plenty. Short of buying a scale and weighing myself before/after a ride, I guess I haven't figured it all out. Just wondered if it was normal to feel really tired (not I'm going do die and puke tired) and a little lightheaded/headache after a ride or a few hours after riding. Allergy med does help some so figure it might be that.

Looking forward to my first sponsored ride on the 22nd for a quarter century up in Lincoln. Riding with a friend. Debating on the Muk or the Ridley. It's all flat so it really depends on how attention I want given the Muk always gets plenty of attention. She has a fat bike as well, so we'd really draw attention to ourselves. LOL.

Even if you think you are eating enough before/after, I've found that eating DURING the ride is really good for me. It's not easy in my case due to allergies but I am bringing cheese (babybels like when I used to go on trips in Europe- they are fine for the length of a ride esp. in a trunk bag) on the bike now for LONG rides and gu or something similar can be a lifesaver. On anything longer than 20 miles, I've committed to eating. I have to FORCE myself to eat properly after. Otherwise, I seriously feel awful the next AM. That's what happened yesterday after my 42 miles. I didn't eat enough and felt it all day.

Your bike is beautiful Congrats on the mileage. Before you know it that 30 miles will come fast. And I am jealous of your Mukluk. I have wanted one for ages but have absolutely NO reason to buy one.

[Bethany1]

You don't need a reason to buy a fat bike. Just do it when you get the chance. You won't regret it especially since the new ones are lighter and have better components. Muk rides like a Cadillac on wheels but a Pugsley rides like a mountain bike. The 9:zero:7's ride like Cadillacs as well. I struggle on hills when I mountain bike, but it's so much fun it's worth the extra effort.

Love the bike shorts. When I get a chance, hopefully I can get a pair or two.

I'll get the food/water sorted out especially now that summer is here. Last thing I need is heat stroke/exhaustion added to the list. Thanks for all the help.

[colorisnt]

Definitely get the shorts! I die without them. I used to not put them on for short rides but short of commuting (which I sometimes do in shorts), I pretty much always wear them.

And I really, really want one of those bikes. Good to hear it rides purdy. I don't have any cash flow for it now but I promised myself when I get a job I will look into one. I will no doubt have a million bikes.