Riding when sick

[ACG]

I'm sure this has been written in the past, but here it goes again.

When sick, do you ride? Inside on the trainer? That's what I've been doing. Everyone in my house has this rotating flu/cold thing for the last 6 weeks.
I'm trying to prep for a century ride in February (Palm Springs), planning to ride and 80 mile beach on about 2 weeks, so I need to build up my mileage.

What do you do? It is about 45 outside and chilly, yes I'm a whimp.

[caligurl]

i think it depends on how sick you are... sniffles, sneezing.. go ahead and ride...

chest cold.. intestinal problems... fever.... better to stay off the bike

( think the rule of thumb is above the shoulder ride.. below stay put!)

plus... it's going to warm up to a BEAUTIFUL day i socal! wait a bit! i would, if possible! unfortunately i'm stuck at work!

i've been coming down with a cold... not too severe so far.. and i went riding tuesday... just made sure i had a tissue stuffed into my sleeve! and for me... i seem to unstuff when i get out in fresh air!

[helga]

I'm about to do that today. Actually, I was sneezing and sniffling when I rode the day before yesterday; but I still got in 31 miles which is a long ride for me. I felt really worn out yesterday, and my head cold seemed a little worse. I don't get many colds so I can't tell if the progression was just how colds go or if I was tired from the previous ride. Today I still have a cold, but I'm going to take an easy ride along the Iron Horse Trail....no hills there! I figure I can always turn back, and as long as the cold crud hasn't gone into my chest there's no real harm. Besides, cabin fever's bothering me more than the head cold!
I would emphasize that this is a cold, not the flu, and temperatures here are 50 to 60 degrees. I think I would still (with a mild cold) try layering and not overdoing.

[fixedgeargirl]

Caligurl has confirmed what I've heard from lots of sources: If symptoms are above the shoulders, go ahead and exercise. If symptoms are below the shoulders, take it easy. Take care of yourself, overdoing it when coming down with something can set you back quite a bit.

[Trekhawk]

Roadraven posted an interesting story on this thread http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=4592. Have a read.

[Grog]

I love Caligurl's rule of thumb. Plus, it's better to ride outside than on the trainer in these occasions: it gives you a chance to practice snot rockets.

[ladyjai]

if I'm not well enough to go to work, I don't consider myself well enough to ride. Now, if I'm just taking a personal day, that's a different matter. I like the head and below comments. They make alot of sense. if I had a fever, no way in the world would I ride. My body is having to fight the nasties off, no reason to stress it.

there's other things to keep in mind. I'm having good results with a product called Zicam (homeopathic zinc formula) as well as ASAP (a silver solution). My roommate swears by air-born. If you can heal quicker, you can ride sooner :-D

[RoadRaven]

General rule has been if the cold is above the neck, ride... below the neck, don't...

But as Trek linked you to the story I posted from a local club... I won't need to suggest you try and remember if you are assessing your "bikeability"... don't mask your symptoms with flu medication...

Ride hard... but be safe

[caligurl]

My roommate swears by air-born. If you can heal quicker, you can ride sooner :-D

ok.... i have a question about air-borne... i keep hearing about it on blogs.. tv... here! does it work to STOP you from GETTING sick? or once you are sick... get you well sooner? or both??????????

[bikerHen]

I like it and use it. I find if I'm starting to feel something coming on I take it for a day or two and the cold does not develop. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas everyone at home and work was sick. I took a dose of Airborne every couple of days and I never caught it. I've also taken it while I was sick. I don't think it helps get well sooner but it does have lots of good vit. and min. so I figure it can't hurt. If you do try some, don't mix it with more than 8 oz. of water. It is tasty, but not when over duilted.