Let's talk about breaks...

[SimonJKH]

Something I'm actually quite bad at when cycling is taking a break. Maybe it's because I'm generally 'lone wolf-ing' it, but if I do stop for a breather its only a couple of minutes before I think 'nuts to this' and I'm off again. Most of my rides have been non-stop. Even on my longest (so far) ride of 100km, despite promising myself a nice half hour stop in Aldeburgh after about five minutes I was bored and off again. And maybe I'm imagining it, but it does kind of feel like my legs feel worse after a break - like they've cooled down and now I've got to warm them up all over again.
So what are your tactics for breaks? Short but frequent? Go as far as your legs will take you, then collapse for half an hour? Or do you think "I live by rule 5. What are these 'breaks' of which you speak?"

 

[MattHB]

Breaks are fine it's sometimes nice to stop and enjoy a view when you can. In group rides there aren't any chances to stop so when I'm out on my own I have no problem doing it! When I was a lot less fit than now I'd stop every hour or so.

 

[lulubel]

I don't eat on the move, so if I'm on a long ride, I'll stop to eat whatever snack I've brought with me, but that's it. My long rides are done at a speed where I can just keep going and don't need to rest. I'm not a believer in long, hard rides.

 

[Eribiste]

I have this trouble too; I think you might be right about 'lone wolf' syndrome. I ride alone, and find it a trial to stop for a breather. I'm also a beginner, still learning the ropes of riding a bit of a distance. We probably need to get the self discipline to stop and rest. I suppose one could say to oneself "I'll stop at 20 miles for 10 minutes, have a drink and a nibble and then carry on", which would no doubt help with the endurance. More experienced and sagacious riders will no doubt advise us further.

 

[ianjmcd]

i allways have a camera in my back pack so im allways on the look out for something interesting and will stop at the drop of a hat , but other times i will not take a break untill i get to destination which recently has been 30 miles out

 

[derrick]

If i am on my own don't normally stop although i have on the odd ocasion, but always stop for a break if with freinds and family, club ride is normally straight through.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I stop at every cafe/tearoom I pass - my cycling companions try to drag me into the pubs too - but after 3 or 4 cappuccinos I can't fit beer in as well or I would have to be taking tree breaks too!
Just trying to do my bit to help the local economy...... Poves is fuelled by caffeine and cake!

 

[Boon 51]

I normally do two differerent rides... one is at a steady pace so I might stop, the other is if I'm going for it then I dont stop at all.

 

[RWright]

I ride alone as well and rarely stop. Most of the routes I use I rarely have to put a foot on the ground
(yes I RLJ but only at a couple of very quiet intersections with plenty of visibility). I use mostly 4 or 5 routes that are in the 10 to 20 mile range. I am seldom further than 10 miles from home.

I did a 30 mile ride a little while back and stopped for about 10 minutes at about mid-way. Afterwards my legs also felt worse, I never got back into the rhythem I had before I stopped. I guessed it was because of the way I normally ride, doing the entire ride and then stopping. I am hoping that with more saddle time that will not happen because I know when I start trying to go for 50 + miles I am probably going to need to stop for a rest in there somewhere.

 

[Nebulous]

When I started out, about two years ago I often did out and back, with a stop at halfways. Now I rarely stop. It takes me about 20 minutes to get out into the countryside, with a few junctions and traffic lights where I have to stop. Then I'll have 1-3 hours riding non-stop and another 20 minutes with some stop start as I near home. I've gradually reduced my food/ fluid intake and will eat a banana and drink one bottle on the move.

 

[DaveyM]

I don't stop either. Although I may have to consider it as the distance (hopefully) increases

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Cycling - coffee- cake, it goes together like eggs and bacon!!!
Between us all we could lift this country from recession if we all stopped every 20 miles for coffee and cake (or every 10 miles in my case!)
New political party coming soon - the Cycling coffee and cake party.....any votes?

 

[defy-one]

On my own i stop after 20 miles for a break,don't like stopping for more than 5-10 minutes,as it's hard to get the same rhythm going on the 2nd leg.
Group rides are easier on the legs and our group doesn't gun it most of the time.we tend to stop every 10-15 miles for the smokers

 

[snorri]

Cycling would be dull if it wasn't for the breaks, a closer look at some animal, plant or oddment, taking a photo perhaps, or just a stop to enjoy more fully my surroundings.

 

[mark st1]

On my own i stop after 20 miles for a break,don't like stopping for more than 5-10 minutes,as it's hard to get the same rhythm going on the 2nd leg.
Group rides are easier on the legs and our group doesn't gun it most of the time.we tend to stop every 10-15 miles for the smokers

Damn right us smokers need our hit to open the lungs I only stop for fag breaks when im on me own anything more than 10 minutes i get bored. Out with anyone else to me is a social ride so stop whenever everyone else does.