Do you warm up before a recreational ride?

[Wafer]

Yeah lumpy Devon isn't quite as extreme as that, but I have that kind of problem too. In one direction I hit a hill in under a mile that gets up to about 12% I believe and has beaten me a few times. If I head north I get into Coffeejo country with bigger lumps! (the landscape not coffeejo...)

Have been planning an n+1 for a bit, pretty much decided what but need to wait till October for the 2016 models to become available and will get a bike fit sorted at the same time. In the mean time I might have a go at some back exercises and not worry too much about anything else!

 

[slowmotion]

I avoid warming up at all costs, both before and during the ride.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Yeah lumpy Devon isn't quite as extreme as that, but I have that kind of problem too. In one direction I hit a hill in under a mile that gets up to about 12% I believe and has beaten me a few times. If I head north I get into Coffeejo country with bigger lumps! (the landscape not coffeejo...)

Have been planning an n+1 for a bit, pretty much decided what but need to wait till October for the 2016 models to become available and will get a bike fit sorted at the same time. In the mean time I might have a go at some back exercises and not worry too much about anything else!

I bet that was an edit.

 

[screenman]

I have a choice when starting my ride, go along a flat road or a flat cycle path for 10 miles, that is loincolnshire for you. Not so much a warm up but I do stretch for 20 minutes every dy.

 

[ColinJ]

Ha ha - after posting in this thread, I headed out on my bike and was going to go up one of the steep climbs I mentioned above, but I decided to warm up along the A646 valley road first. before eventually climbing THIS ONE. I wouldn't fancy doing that from a cold start!

LOOKING DOWN makes the rapid elevation gain more obvious ...

 

[Crandoggler]

Been running as a child, boy and man for the last 27 years. Only stretched when the PTI's tell me to. Never did me any harm. I wholeheartedly agree with the mantra that we, as animals need no stretching before/after exercise. I used to run every day, usually 10k a day, work a 12 hour shift on my feet in 45degC+ heat 7 days a week for 4 months solid. I never had a twinge, never had any injury and never stretched. I followed this in England too, same deal.

Obviously if you're prone to injury or you sit behind a desk, you're more likely to want to have a little stretch.

Cycling is, in my legs opinion, easier on them. So absolutely no stretching unless I get a twinge, which is in a blue moon.

A good read:
Born to run - Christopher McDougall.

 

[ColinJ]

I wholeheartedly agree with the mantra that we, as animals need no stretching before/after exercise.

Why do cats stretch then?

 

[HertzvanRental]

Ha ha - after posting in this thread, I headed out on my bike and was going to go up one of the steep climbs I mentioned above, but I decided to warm up along the A646 valley road first. before eventually climbing THIS ONE. I wouldn't fancy doing that from a cold start!

LOOKING DOWN makes the rapid elevation gain more obvious ...

Pfff!! Down here, in the south east, we call that "undulating!!)

 

[screenman]

Why do cats stretch then?

Arrogance shear arrogance, and the fact they know what they are doing. Purrrfect you might say.

 

[HertzvanRental]

Ha ha - after posting in this thread, I headed out on my bike and was going to go up one of the steep climbs I mentioned above, but I decided to warm up along the A646 valley road first. before eventually climbing THIS ONE. I wouldn't fancy doing that from a cold start!

LOOKING DOWN makes the rapid elevation gain more obvious ...

Looks nice, though!

 

[Crandoggler]

Why do cats stretch then?

Lol I was going to mention this. I think most animals stretch. In fact, all do. just like when you get up from bed, you stretch, to move old blood out and pour freshly oxygenated blood (via a hearty yawn) into those muscles. They're ready to go, they're pumped at all times. We just don't use them. So like everything that doesn't get used a lot, they become smaller and weaker. Thus, prone to damage.

*disclaimer; this is part fact, part opinion.

 

[ColinJ]

Looks nice, though!

The valley road can be a bit busy but if you avoid the morning and evening traffic it isn't too bad for a warm up, and then these steep climbs are a way to get good views and away from the traffic very quickly. (Quickly as in a short distance - I can't ride up them quickly! )

 

[Crandoggler]

It came close. The aircraft struggled more than I did! I remember shivering because I was 'cold' in 24 degrees weather.

 

[HertzvanRental]

The valley road can be a bit busy but if you avoid the morning and evening traffic it isn't too bad for a warm up, and then these steep climbs are a way to get good views and away from the traffic very quickly. (Quickly as in a short distance - I can't ride up them quickly! )

Never cycled up in your patch, but it looks fun.

 

[ColinJ]

Never cycled up in your patch, but it looks fun.

I like riding in these hills, but there are times when I would prefer a better choice of flatter roads when I just fancy an easy spin, but do not want to battle the traffic in the valleys.

Winters can sometimes be a bit grim up 'on the tops'. If there is any chance of ice, I steer clear of high-level minor roads which might not get gritted.