How have you felt after a 2 month layoff

[wait4me]

Following a minor op and family reasons today was my first ride since 8th Nov.
The first 5 miles was 99% head wind and it was crippling me. But it was then side with a fair bit of tail wind so things got better, but at no time did I have any leg tiredness but my breathing was struggling all the way. My average was 11.5 for a 16 mile ride, normally I get about 14.5 average on rides up to 25 miles. After about 4 miles of the head wind I was seriously worried that I was not going to complete the ride with serious thoughts of turning round. Then the good news I got home had a shower and felt the normal “glow” and was really chuffed I didn’t give up. For info I only pleasure (????) ride and am aged 66,
Has anyone else had this breathing struggle after a layoff?

 

[icky]

Ohh yes its always the lungs that seem to go first legs only need a couple of miles to warm them up again .

 

[PK99]

Following a minor op and family reasons today was my first ride since 8th Nov.
The first 5 miles was 99% head wind and it was crippling me. But it was then side with a fair bit of tail wind so things got better, but at no time did I have any leg tiredness but my breathing was struggling all the way. My average was 11.5 for a 16 mile ride, normally I get about 14.5 average on rides up to 25 miles. After about 4 miles of the head wind I was seriously worried that I was not going to complete the ride with serious thoughts of turning round. Then the good news I got home had a shower and felt the normal “glow” and was really chuffed I didn’t give up. For info I only pleasure (????) ride and am aged 66,
Has anyone else had this breathing struggle after a layoff?

Pretty standard!

I did 37 miles steady today, first time on the bike since mid December heart rate was significantly higher effort for effort and breathing more laboured

 

[uclown2002]

I had a month off in the summer after being doored; and the first few weeks back were torturous. Took me best part of a month to regain previous level of fitness.

 

[JoeyB]

I did a 150km ride in October having not done anything of note since June. The first 30km was OK, the next 30km I thought I was going to die...but after some food and drink the final 90km ish were actually quite enjoyable.

 

[Saluki]

Yup. After a 2 month layoff I limped around 8.2 miles and had to have a lie down. The day after I didn't ride but the day after that was a whole lot better.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Following a minor op and family reasons today was my first ride since 8th Nov.
The first 5 miles was 99% head wind and it was crippling me. But it was then side with a fair bit of tail wind so things got better, but at no time did I have any leg tiredness but my breathing was struggling all the way. My average was 11.5 for a 16 mile ride, normally I get about 14.5 average on rides up to 25 miles. After about 4 miles of the head wind I was seriously worried that I was not going to complete the ride with serious thoughts of turning round. Then the good news I got home had a shower and felt the normal “glow” and was really chuffed I didn’t give up. For info I only pleasure (????) ride and am aged 66,
Has anyone else had this breathing struggle after a layoff?

Absolutely!!
After a break of almost 7 years from biking, I got back in the saddle.
My legs were fine, however I thought my lungs were going to burst!
It's amazing how the capacity reduces when you aren't using them.
I only really struggle with breathing on hills now.

For info, I'm 50, non smoker, but overweight.

 

[cosmicbike]

Following a minor op and family reasons today was my first ride since 8th Nov.
The first 5 miles was 99% head wind and it was crippling me. But it was then side with a fair bit of tail wind so things got better, but at no time did I have any leg tiredness but my breathing was struggling all the way. My average was 11.5 for a 16 mile ride, normally I get about 14.5 average on rides up to 25 miles. After about 4 miles of the head wind I was seriously worried that I was not going to complete the ride with serious thoughts of turning round. Then the good news I got home had a shower and felt the normal “glow” and was really chuffed I didn’t give up. For info I only pleasure (????) ride and am aged 66,
Has anyone else had this breathing struggle after a layoff?

Oh yes! Laid up for near 3 months with no cycling, felt like I was on 20 fags a day again when I got back on the bike.. It does get better

 

[wait4me]

Thanks for all the replys. They have given me peace of mind

 

[subaqua]

just a 4week layoff in December was a killer of ride going back to the commute. the london tourette ride was a bereeze as was relaxed

 

[boydj]

The first ride after a layoff always hurts the heart/lung system most. The sore legs wiill kick in a couple of days later. It makes sense to build up slowly again after a layoff and make allowances for the drop-off in fitness.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I don't know whether it's the lungs but something made my legs hurt the other day. I was never out of breath but I was quickly out of legs. Idiot that I am, I didn't bring any spare legs along with me.

 

[Herbie]

Following a minor op and family reasons today was my first ride since 8th Nov.
The first 5 miles was 99% head wind and it was crippling me. But it was then side with a fair bit of tail wind so things got better, but at no time did I have any leg tiredness but my breathing was struggling all the way. My average was 11.5 for a 16 mile ride, normally I get about 14.5 average on rides up to 25 miles. After about 4 miles of the head wind I was seriously worried that I was not going to complete the ride with serious thoughts of turning round. Then the good news I got home had a shower and felt the normal “glow” and was really chuffed I didn’t give up. For info I only pleasure (????) ride and am aged 66,
Has anyone else had this breathing struggle after a layoff?

I've had a couple of outings in the last week and first since November....bit of a struggle but quite pleased how I felt afterwards....felt a bit of a glow as well..

 

[vernon]

I didn't ride my bike between August Bank Holiday and December 27th. Did 10 miles on 27th, 25 miles inc London tourette on 29th, 30 mile loop with 4,500 feet of climb on Jan 1st and a 100km audax Jan 5th. My average speed had dropped by 1 mph and it felt like I'd never been off the bike. My sit bones were a tad surprised though.

 

[ColinJ]

I used to cycle until the end of November and then stop and do virtually nothing through the winter.

After 3 months off the bike, I'd fly with it to the Costa Blanca one Saturday in March. I would do 350-375 brisk lumpy group miles from the Sunday to the following Friday. They used to half kill me. I felt like I'd had 3 months off the bike and piled on weight. Which, of course, I had!

I would either rest on the Saturday or tootle off on my bike with my camera and take a few photos up on the local hills.

Then I would feel like my body was starting to work properly again. From the Sunday until about the Wednesday I would feel pretty good, and then on the Thursday and Friday I'd be getting tired. Another 350-375 miles covered.

I'd fly home on the Saturday feeling exhausted.

On the Sunday or Monday, I would get ill because I had pushed my body too hard!

I'd spend a week or so feeling sorry for myself, but with my leg muscles becoming stronger.

About 10 days after getting home, I'd start cycling again.

By 2 weeks or so later, I'd be feeling pretty good, and that would be me set up for the year!