Bit Stiff!

[eatmydust]

feeling a bit stiff in the thighs today.

just wondered, does anyone ever do any warming up before setting off, or a cool down/stretch after thier ride?

 

[Keith Oates]

If you're talking about a warm up before commuting then the answer from me is 'no I don't'. I find that starting off on the commute at an eay steady pace is the best way to warm up and then when the legs feel free, up the pace to whatever you find good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

I stretch quads after shower at work and also when i get home. I do about 4 15 second stretches for each leg and some calf stretches.

just done my first two day consecutive commute 52 miles in all, my legs died last night on the ride home. I felt so stiff today that got the train in though, think it might be to do with the heat over last couple of days and also just raised my saddle again slightly so working slightly new muscle area.

Any stretches advice more than welcome.

 

[hackbike 666]

This weather has made me realise I probably need warm up now in the colder weather as im usually sluggish for at least 3 miles.No probs this week.

Oh this weather is great.

 

[gaz]

just done my first two day consecutive commute 52 miles in all, my legs died last night on the ride home. I felt so stiff today that got the train in though, think it might be to do with the heat over last couple of days and also just raised my saddle again slightly so working slightly new muscle area.

You will get used to the riding after a while and your legs will be fine, i ride slightly further than you, and i had the same issues at the start, just over a month later i am commuting 5 days a week plus doing a min of a 20miles on the weekend with no pains strains of stiffness.

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

Thanks gaz, always good to know people have gone through the pain barrier and come out the other side. Trying to build up slowly so have done three rides in a week previously but with rest days in between and that was simple compared to this. Its my 32nd birthday on 29th july so hope to do a full week before then.

Do you do any stretches? you had any decrease in your commute time over a month?

 

[gaz]

Thanks gaz, always good to know people have gone through the pain barrier and come out the other side. Trying to build up slowly so have done three rides in a week previously but with rest days in between and that was simple compared to this. Its my 32nd birthday on 29th july so hope to do a full week before then.

Do you do any stretches? you had any decrease in your commute time over a month?

do zero stretches before. but i do some stretches after and make sure i rub my muscles down well when drying.

I cut my time down from 1 hour 20 mins. to under an hour in the first week. and now the only thing stopping me from going any faster is traffic lights. so much stop start stop start.

 

[3tyretrackterry]

no stretches for me but the last 500m or so i tend to switch to a very low gear and spin gently dont go very fast but i think it lets my legs get used to not cycling hard.
also i always start off in a very low gear and spin up through the gears gradually pushing harder and faster
hope this helps