Overdone it?

[chillyuk]

For the past few weeks I have been riding fairly consistantly on alternate days, resting in between. Over the last few days I have done a 20 miler, then rest a day, a 30 miler, then a day off then today a pretty tough (for me) hilly 21 miler. Now tonight my calfs are agony. I doesn't hurt to walk, but sitting here watching TV they are aching like billyo. It is not my achilles, it does seem to be the muscles. Guess I had better rest up for a couple of days then go back to shorter, slower rides.

 

[Banjo]

If they both hurt its not likely to be an injury get someone to give them a massage if you can.

Give it a rest then make your next ride a fairly gentle one. Works for me anyway.

 

[zacklaws]

It could be a case of "Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness" (DOMS).

http://en.wikipedia....muscle_soreness

I suffer from it after every big ride about 24 hours later, especially if I take the next day as a rest day when I will be right as rain, then the next day my leg muscles give me gip, if I do another shorter easier ride the next day after a big ride, I do not suffer. I can do back to back 100+ rides and do not have a problem, till 24 hours after my last ride unless I wind down with a gentle ride within 24 hours. Also I must keep riding a bit every day otherwise I stiffen up eventually.

Try a gentle ride the next day after your usual ride and see if it makes a difference.

 

[Mad at urage]

And don't forget to gently stretch the aching muscles whilst watching TV: Prevents shortening, relieves cramping and aids recovery.