tripletail52
Senior Member
What are your tips for recovery when you've done about 50 miles, your legs feel like jelly and every pedal stroke brings a world of pain? Eat something sugary? Rest for 10 mins? Or just plod on until it feels better?
I don't seem to 'bonk' exactly as I'm OK with fuelling. I know what a bonk feels like and this is not that, it's just the legs feeling like there's no power left.
I normally ride solo. Will be doing a century ride (imperial) soon. I've done it several times now, and each time at around 50-60 miles mark I hit the wall and it's pain afterwards till the end. Obviously I know I can't avoid pain altogether, but perhaps manage it better, make it come on a bit more slowly.
Isn't that bonking?
As far as I know, no. When I'm lazy with shoving sugar down the throat, I bonk and it feels awful. What I'm talking about is when I feel OK globally but the legs are lacking power. Suddenly a 3% hill feels like 15%, that's what I'm talking about.
That sounds like incipient "bonk" to me. If you go well on the flat or downhill but as soon as you meet a slight uphill you have no power it's a warning to at least top up on a sugary snack in the short term before you become weak and wobbly and lose concentration, or plan a stop for something that will break down more slowly and give you continuing energy. It sounds like you need to stage your ride to match your energy needs -everyone is different. Maybe pace yourself, take it easier early on so you have more in your tank for later.As far as I know, no. When I'm lazy with shoving sugar down the throat, I bonk and it feels awful. What I'm talking about is when I feel OK globally but the legs are lacking power. Suddenly a 3% hill feels like 15%, that's what I'm talking about.