The Knackering Bicycle Ride

Yesterday for the first time in a week and a half I went for a bike ride. I was thinking that I would ride with the lazy group. That is to say “group 3” as it is commonly called. Due to the lower turnout for this weekend there was no differentiation between groups. I felt fine, for the first part. It’s when we start to climb, and descend, and climb again, and descend that I began to feel exhausted.

I’m riding with a heavier bike, but I also didn’t ride for a week and a half, so I wasn’t in prime condition like some of the others. The result is that I was fighting just to stay with the group, for hours.

Usually when I go for a bike ride my heart rate gets to 140 or so. This time it was at 150 so slightly above my normal range.

The challenge wasn’t how hard we went, but how little we rested. If you’re fast, then you rest. If you’re slow you’re fighting to keep up, and when people stop, they barely allow you time to recover before setting off again.

You’re pushing, you have no time for snacks, no time to add or remove a layer, no time for your leg muscles to recover. You’re just fighting not to be dropped. Of course, you are dropped.

The Relaxed Ride to See More

That’s why I prefer to ride with the “lazy” group. That’s why I prefer t ride with group 3, rather than group 2. With group 3 I can take photos, I can look at the landscape and I can stop and recover for a bit. With group 2, especially with four season tyres I’m slower, so I really fight to keep up with the group, especially on climbs.

The recovery time, after this ride, is 97 hours according to sports Tracker. Usually it’s between 40-70 hours.

Knee Fatigue

During the ride yesterday I felt that I was pushing hard because eventually my knees began to protest. They began to hurt. I can still feel them today. It’s not as bad as at other times but it’s an indicator of how hard we rode, as well as for how long.

I suspect that I could lighten what I carry with me, but I suspect that I should also train harder to keep up with the faster cyclists. I can keep up with group 1, when I am in the mood, in summer.

The Zwift Effect

I suspect that in April people will be riding harder and faster next year, after a winter spent training on indoor trainers and Zwift. I suspect that they will be even faster, and harder to keep up.

And Finally

Yesterday reminded me of why I want to created a relaxed Sunday ride group, that goes for a bike ride to enjoy the landscape, and the views, and stops to take pictures and more. I want to ride my bike like we hike. I want to take time to take pictures and appreciate where I am.