Resting, makes things easier or harder?

[Xiorell]

I had about 2, 2 and a half days off the cycle untill the ride back to work this morning.

On the way in, I absolutely flew down there on my regular trip, felt faster and easier than before the 2 days off.
On the way back home tonight though it was bloody tourture, the bike felt heavy than usual, the wind felt stronger, hills steeper etc.

This is a phenomenon I've felt before after inactive days, where as if I have been riding every day for a week solid or more, everything is just.... normal.


Anyone else know what I mean?

 

[The Jogger]

Were you running on empty, that' what happens when I do.

 

[the_mikey]

I get that when running on 'empty' but also when running on 'full' if cycling immediately after eating a meal. If I've been away from excersising at all for a week then it takes a week to get back to normal fitness, if it's only a day or two then I return to the bike without any noticeable reduction performance or increase in effort required.

 

[Garz]

Could be just having a tiring day at work then fighting a headwind... nothing wrong with that. Just treat yourself to some top nosh and see if the energy returns the next morning!

 

[HLaB]

A rest is a good thing but you can rest too long or it might just be it was an off day ;-)

 

[lulubel]

It could be that when you feel rested, you put so much enthusiam and energy into the ride in that you haven't got as much left for the ride home.

 

[BrumJim]

My money is on a more severe headwind than you have previously remembered.