What 5 weeks off th...
 

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[Closed] What 5 weeks off the bike can do to you

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I can’t believe how much strength I have lost in the last five weeks!

I commute by bike daily, but toward the end of this last academic year, I had a lot of junk to transport so used the car more than the bike. Then I went on holiday for five weeks, and although I was good on the eating front (I didn’t gain any weight), I clearly lost A LOT of strength.

Now that I’m back, I’m easing back into at least  45 minute ride daily (on top of commuting) and whereas I have always been a pretty strong climber, I am really struggling up the hills right now. And on my final sprint today (where I am always aiming for a KOM), my legs were just shaking.

Let that be a warning to those of you who are thinking lazy thoughts. Stop pedalling, and it’s all downhill.


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 6:19 pm
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I first bike I rode after 3 weeks laid up was my ebike. Was knackered...


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 6:20 pm
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After my Xmas 2013 RTA, I wasn't allowed to ride for ~13 weeks, in that time I completely lost my commute cycling legs and gained a good 10+Kg. Not to mention, my job wrecked me every single shift. How it took me another 2+ years to see where my middle aged life was heading seems crazy thinking back now, but at least I eventually made an efforts to turn things around, losing ~20Kg and cycling regularly for fitness to get in the best physical shape (with some scars and missing teeth) I've generally been in for over 20 years.


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 6:36 pm
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Depressing. I’ve been off the bike for 2 weeks so far with a torn hamstring after being hit by a car.

Missed Big Dog & likely to have to miss Torq in Your Sleep, so that means both events I’ve targeted training wise all year.

Just consoling myself with the thought that at least I got to ride through the best summer for years before the weather returned to normal.


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 6:38 pm
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I feel your pain OP.

Sprained my ankle badly three weeks ago and had only managed one ride in July before that due to work/holiday.

My next ride is going to hurt.


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 6:49 pm
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I cannot get bike fit. Working away from home, bad back this year - as in struggling to even walk, broken rib last year, broken jaw the year before, torn bicep tendon the year before that. On the odd occasion that I manage to get the minimum 6 weeks of 2 rides a week to become almost bike fit i e. not struggling, something always comes along to put a spanner in the works.

I've bought an ebike


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 7:04 pm
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I do 5 weeks away in Africa sans bike.

I run once a week.

The key to getting back on bike is not to try and go back to where you were when you left .phase it in over a couple of rides.

I seem to keep legs well.


 
Posted : 16/08/2018 7:19 pm

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