Interested in the science behind this...

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm not a great cyclist in terms of distance or speed.

I'll do around 2000 miles this year by riding 20-30 miles twice a week when weather allows (fair weather rider).

Typical ride would be at 14-14.5mph with 2000'-ish ascent.

First 4-5 miles riding is easy but legs don't feel 'loose' - just getting into it I guess.

Then they loosen up and I start to get 'stuck in' although ascents feel like hard work.

But the bit I am really interested in is this:

Somewhere between 16-18 miles (or thereabouts) into a ride my body just 'clicks' - I get what feels like an energy surge and everything (within reason) becomes relatively effortless. My legs seem to just take over and start spinning with a mind of their own.

This may sound daft but I also feel slightly euphoric at this point - like I could cycle forever.

Is there any scientific reason for this or is it all just in my head?

 

[Globalti]

Read up about how the body quickly exhausts the energy reserves in the muscles and turns to less accessible reserves stored in the liver. That may be your answer.

 

[vickster]

Endorphins?

 

[stoatsngroats]

Cold it be your route? If you get to 16-18 miles, and you have most of the climbing done by this point, perhaps you are subconsciously relaxing in to an easier/less demanding/more interesting section of your ride..?

With our 'standard' ride, there are no hills, but after 7 miles, we're on the promenade, with only people to deal with, no traffic, and we tend t enjoy the next 4 miles more! Plus, that's the coffee stop!

 

[Twizit]

No idea of the science etc, but I have exactly the same thing. Usually somewhere between 30-40 minutes into a ride before I settle into a nice steady state rhythm that just feels "easy".

This is independent of the route I'm on, and I cycle around 6-7,000 miles per year (mix of commuting and weekend rides) so not sure how it parallels to the OP.

I always figured it just takes my body that long to properly warm up and get into the swing of a long ride!

 

[PK99]

Is there any scientific reason for this or is it all just in my head?

Both!

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/k...15-Intermediate-Warming-Up-and-Cooling-Down-0

https://wattbike.com/uk/guide/getting_started/warm_up_and_cool_down

 

[Bianchi boy]

Don't know the science behind this but when I was jogging, we used to call it a "second wind " and yes you do feel you can continue indefinitely ,Do not experience it on the bike that often though

 

[helston90]

I'd have thought it's just your body warming up and your muscles finding their rhythm.

 

[mythste]

6 miles is my settle-in distance for anything that isn't stupidly full of hills. I certainly understand that "click".

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Probably as others have said that your body is warmed up. My wife has been asking the same question, but I put it down to the fact that the hills start of earlier in the ride and it's flat during the rest.

 

[coffeejo]

If I turn left at the bottom of the road instead of the usual right, it's uphill almost all the way. The first few climbs though much gentler than what's to come, seem brutal and I always feel like giving up and going home. I've no idea if it's the warm up or the psychological boost from the first descent but it somehow comes together just in time for the first proper climb, which feels like a real challenge instead of my legs wimping out.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I always feel great for the first fifty or sixty yards then I really start to struggle.

 

[Banjo]

I definitely feel the same feeling but not allways at the same distance.Unfortunately I have noticed that it doesn't last long and is eventually replaced with a fatigued feeling.

If on a long ride I try not too start motoring on fast just because I feel great still try to keep some back in reserve for later.

If on a shorter ride then just go with it and enjoy the feeling while you can.

 

[Racing roadkill]

When the dopamine and endorphins start to flow, the smiles and the miles start to grow.

 

[bpsmith]

It takes me a while to clear my head when I ride. The longer j ride, the less the stressful things from the day/week matter. Once clear, I feel like you guys above.