After a hill......

[Aescott]

Hi

Morning commute is relatively flat but with a couple of climbs. Final climb is not steep but is long, so legs are a bit sore by the top.

A question which comes to mind each day is - when I get to the top, should I switch to lowest possible gear and take it easy to recover, or switch up a gear or two? It's the same distance either way, just don't know which option is best for recovery.

 

[wafter]

It's flat at the top..?

I'd just do what feels right at the time. Taking it steady should help to an extent with fatigue / aches; equally these potentially suggest muscle growth, so if getting faster / stronger is a goal and you can tolerate the discomfort hit it hard

 

[Sharky]

There's an old piece of advice...
- if your legs are hurting, use a lower gear
- if your lungs are hurting, use a higher gear

I think you should have changed to a lower gear at the bottom of the last hill and keep the cadence higher.

 

[katiewlx]

normally I stop, have a rest and recover, then carry on in whatever gear my legs can cope with

 

[Punkawallah]

normally I stop, have a rest and recover, then carry on in whatever gear my legs can cope with

Indeed. It’s not illegal to get off and chillax- although I suspect the likes of Strava don’t have a button for that ;-)

 

[SteveH80]

Get to top, pull over and stop, have a fag and a can of Special Brew (hydration, calories and pain management in one convenient package) and then carry on.

 

[ivegotabike]

Or go easier on the climb?

 

[Drago]

Try a few different scenarios and see what works best for you.

 

[Juan Kog]

Commute on Fixed , retired now but worked for me .
ps It wasn’t a flat route .

 

[Binky]

Hi

Morning commute is relatively flat but with a couple of climbs. Final climb is not steep but is long, so legs are a bit sore by the top.

A question which comes to mind each day is - when I get to the top, should I switch to lowest possible gear and take it easy to recover, or switch up a gear or two? It's the same distance either way, just don't know which option is best for recovery.

Ride up said hill in a lower gear than you are presently for sure, this should help will leg soreness. Then when at top continue in same gear for 50-100metres or whatever feels right to recover then change up to higher gear and continue on.

 

[pjd57]

Since its a commute , time for a rest probably isnt built in.
Most people allow just the right amount of time....or less.

 

[lazybloke]

Get to top, pull over and stop, have a fag and a can of Special Brew (hydration, calories and pain management in one convenient package) and then carry on.

Quite.
I was going to point out to @Punkawallah that Strava does need a button for rests, there's an auto-pause.

In your honour, it's now auto-pours.