cycling with a cold

[e-rider]

I've got a 100 mile sportive coming up next weekend. I've already had a week off the bike to try and get over my cold but decided to go out today for a short ride. Had to quit after 20 miles as I felt terrible.

Is cycling with a cold a bad idea? I generally avoid it but with the event coming up fast I need to do some more training; but I also need to be well for the ride next weekend. I've raised lots of money for charity so feel that I MUST do the ride (or at least start it).

 

[BrumJim]

Cold is OK if you wrap up warm and take on board plenty of water.
Flu type symptoms (aching limbs etc) is a definite NO to getting on your bike.

As a sub-story, I woke up on the last day of my ski-ing holiday this year with aching limbs, feeling well under the weather. Unfortunately it had snowed the previous day, and the clouds were clearing for a glorious sunny day. So I decided that I'd go ski-ing anyway. Boy I suffered for it, but I still think I made the right decision.

 

[BSRU]

Depends on your definition of a cold.
I have had a "cold" for a couple of weeks now, almost gone, has not stopped me riding but on the worst days I still manage my normal distance just at a reduced average speed. As long as I have a good appetite and I am getting enough quality sleep then I am fine to continue cycling.

 

[PK99]

I've got a 100 mile sportive coming up next weekend. I've already had a week off the bike to try and get over my cold but decided to go out today for a short ride. Had to quit after 20 miles as I felt terrible.

Is cycling with a cold a bad idea? I generally avoid it but with the event coming up fast I need to do some more training; but I also need to be well for the ride next weekend. I've raised lots of money for charity so feel that I MUST do the ride (or at least start it).

rule of thumb:
Above the neck ie head cold only = ride
below the neck ie chest infection or general malaise = don't ride

 

[Norm]

rule of thumb:
Above the neck ie head cold only = ride
below the neck ie chest infection or general malaise = don't ride

+1 to this, although I had sinusitis with very cold-like symptoms (i.e. nearly all in the head) for about 3 months earlier this year, which floored me completely.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I'm glad I found this thread; I've not cycled as much as I hoped I would this year and now that I have a cold my drive to get out and ride hasn't diminished. Although now this is a chest cold and I remember what happened when I went out for a gentle twenty when I felt like this and it totally destroyed my chest.

Patience needed.

 

[HLaB]

Yip if its moved to the chest give it a rest

 

[ianrauk]

I would say above the neck it's ok to ride, below the neck is not.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

It's very much below the neck. It's a bit of a shame I don't have any vocals to record at the moment.