General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Long bike ride: are short breaks OK? Rss Feed  
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2010-04-09 7:46 AM

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Expert
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St. Paul, MN
Subject: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
I've always wondered this, and I'd love feedback from any of you.

When I go out for an "endurance ride" (anything over 30 miles while training for a 24.8 mile olympic distance), how "bad" is it to take a short break here or there? I can go much farther if I plan in a quick potty stop, or pull over to refill my water bottles. But are those 2 minute breaks detrimental to quality training? (It's nothing I do over shorter, harder rides, but is it OK on much longer ones?)

I'd love your thoughts! Thanks!!


2010-04-09 7:53 AM
in reply to: #2779382

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Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
For less than about 60 miles I don't stop unless I'm going to explode or one of my tires does.
For over that I don't mind going potty or picking up another bottle.
I cannot see where it makes much difference with less than about 10 minutes off the bike. Generally I'm off the bike less than 5 minutes in any case.
2010-04-09 7:57 AM
in reply to: #2779382

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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
Well, it's better to keep going if possible. I only stop for the occassional traffic light on my rides of 60-70 miles. I never have to stop and pee and for now, the temps are moderate enough to not need to stop and refill. I see some ride groups seem like they are always stopped on the side of the road. I think I benefit more from getting going and staying going for a slong as I can.
2010-04-09 7:58 AM
in reply to: #2779382

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Master
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Houston, TX
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
If you're stopping to get fluids or pee, that's not a big deal at all and won't hurt you. If you're stopping to just stop and talk with your group... well then yea, that's no good!
2010-04-09 8:24 AM
in reply to: #2779431

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Master
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Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
If you are just stopping to refill waters or use the facilities, no big deal.  You'd do the same in a race.  As the other poster said, stopping to chat or answer your phone, not so good unless you are planning the same in your race.
2010-04-09 8:26 AM
in reply to: #2779514

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Pro
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Twin Cities
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
Just out of curiosity...isn't stopping stopping? I mean, if you stop for 2 minutes, what difference does it make WHY you stopped?


2010-04-09 8:34 AM
in reply to: #2779382

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Champion
5117
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Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?

Detrimental?  Not even close. 

Most of the time, I just don't want to carry all the fluids/food I'd need/want for a long ride.  I usually try to keep it minimal and pass a few gas stations or rest areas to take a quick pee and grab some nutrition and water.  Even a ten minute stop... so what.  It's not like you've completely recovered from 20 miles of riding and will be doing the last ten perfectly fresh.  You're still riding your bike for 30 miles.

 

2010-04-09 8:37 AM
in reply to: #2779517

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2010-04-09 8:40 AM
in reply to: #2779382

Extreme Veteran
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Washington
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
I try to keep track of my stoppage time by measuring the total elapsed ride time (via garmin) and the time when I'm on the move (cheapo bike computer)
2010-04-09 8:50 AM
in reply to: #2779543

Champion
9600
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
sesh - 2010-04-09 7:34 AM

Detrimental?  Not even close. 

Most of the time, I just don't want to carry all the fluids/food I'd need/want for a long ride.  I usually try to keep it minimal and pass a few gas stations or rest areas to take a quick pee and grab some nutrition and water.  Even a ten minute stop... so what.  It's not like you've completely recovered from 20 miles of riding and will be doing the last ten perfectly fresh.  You're still riding your bike for 30 miles.

 



Well, 10min of not moving on a 30 mile ride certainly changes the nature of the workout and the physiological stress you are applying, so I would disagree. The point of a training session is to apply stress for a specific amount of time or distance. If the goal of a 30 mile ride is to develop aerobic adapatations, stopping for that long provides an aerobic recovery which limits the stress and thus limits the positive adaptations you rae looking to acheive. It has less to do with whether or not your legs are "fresh".
2010-04-09 8:59 AM
in reply to: #2779382

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2010-04-09 9:05 AM
in reply to: #2779593

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?

bryancd - 2010-04-09 8:50 AM
sesh - 2010-04-09 7:34 AM

Detrimental?  Not even close. 

Most of the time, I just don't want to carry all the fluids/food I'd need/want for a long ride.  I usually try to keep it minimal and pass a few gas stations or rest areas to take a quick pee and grab some nutrition and water.  Even a ten minute stop... so what.  It's not like you've completely recovered from 20 miles of riding and will be doing the last ten perfectly fresh.  You're still riding your bike for 30 miles.

 

Well, 10min of not moving on a 30 mile ride certainly changes the nature of the workout and the physiological stress you are applying, so I would disagree. The point of a training session is to apply stress for a specific amount of time or distance. If the goal of a 30 mile ride is to develop aerobic adapatations, stopping for that long provides an aerobic recovery which limits the stress and thus limits the positive adaptations you rae looking to acheive. It has less to do with whether or not your legs are "fresh".

I'm looking at the OPs  implied level of fitness (opinion is now different after checking his logs - see end of this post) based on 30 miles being his current long rides and thinking, "do what you have to do so you can get in 30 miles right now."  As 30 becomes more manageable, I can almost guarantee he won't be stopping and his rides will become more and more beneficial.  I didn't mean or mention fresh legs.  Yeah, there's aerobic recovery, but even a ten minute stop for someone in the early stages of building endurance is not going to be detrimental, as the OP was asking.

Not stopping - of course it's better

Stopping - not detrimental

That's all I was trying to get across, albeit not quite that clear.  However, after checking the OPs logs, I more agree with you as I see his fitness level is well above needing to stop on 30 mile rides. 



Edited by sesh 2010-04-09 9:12 AM
2010-04-09 9:17 AM
in reply to: #2779382

Master
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Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
I'll agree with others who said doing the entire workout without stopping is beneficial.

However, you still rode 30 miles, and you still benefited from it.  Taken to the extreme, you could ride 15 in the morning and 15 in the evening.  That would stress your body differently, but definitely stress it more than just doing 15.

At the end of the day... or really at the end of the week/month/year... your total workload is what will make a difference.  So if stopping to refuel or relieve gets you extra mileage, I say go for it.
2010-04-09 9:25 AM
in reply to: #2779382

Expert
2555
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
No, a 2 minute break is not a deal killer. I wouldn't see the necessity of more than one stop though unless you're going to be out there more than 5 hours. And really for 30-40 miles I can't see going through all my fluids or needing to pee.
2010-04-09 10:15 AM
in reply to: #2779423

Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
bryancd - 2010-04-09 8:57 AM Well, it's better to keep going if possible. I only stop for the occassional traffic light on my rides of 60-70 miles. I never have to stop and pee and for now, the temps are moderate enough to not need to stop and refill. I see some ride groups seem like they are always stopped on the side of the road. I think I benefit more from getting going and staying going for a slong as I can.



Wow, I'm just like Bry
2010-04-09 12:00 PM
in reply to: #2779958

Expert
1087
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Portland
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
mrbbrad - 2010-04-09 10:15 AM
bryancd - 2010-04-09 8:57 AM Well, it's better to keep going if possible. I only stop for the occassional traffic light on my rides of 60-70 miles. I never have to stop and pee and for now, the temps are moderate enough to not need to stop and refill. I see some ride groups seem like they are always stopped on the side of the road. I think I benefit more from getting going and staying going for a slong as I can.



Wow, I'm just like Bry


what you listen to ABBA while biking?


2010-04-09 1:58 PM
in reply to: #2779382

Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
It will have absolutely no detrimental impact on your training.
2010-04-09 3:19 PM
in reply to: #2779431

Expert
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500100
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
smilford - 2010-04-09 8:58 AM If you're stopping to get fluids or pee, that's not a big deal at all and won't hurt you. If you're stopping to just stop and talk with your group... well then yea, that's no good!


My philosophy as well. ^^^

Considering how many 60+ mile rides I've done in my history it has never seemed to hurt my abilities at all.
2010-04-09 8:35 PM
in reply to: #2780358

Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
menglo - 2010-04-09 12:00 PM
mrbbrad - 2010-04-09 10:15 AM
bryancd - 2010-04-09 8:57 AM Well, it's better to keep going if possible. I only stop for the occassional traffic light on my rides of 60-70 miles. I never have to stop and pee and for now, the temps are moderate enough to not need to stop and refill. I see some ride groups seem like they are always stopped on the side of the road. I think I benefit more from getting going and staying going for a slong as I can.



Wow, I'm just like Bry


what you listen to ABBA while biking?


 I read the " I am just like Bry" and thought about ABBA and then scrolled down to your comment.  I think I might be spending to much time on these boards.  to even think about ABBA......
2010-04-09 8:42 PM
in reply to: #2779423

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
bryancd - 2010-04-09 7:57 AM Well, it's better to keep going if possible. I only stop for the occassional traffic light on my rides of 60-70 miles. I never have to stop and pee and for now, the temps are moderate enough to not need to stop and refill. I see some ride groups seem like they are always stopped on the side of the road. I think I benefit more from getting going and staying going for a slong as I can.


Depending on how much shape the person is in, how many "long" rides the person has done, at what pace/power/etc., a short rest of a couple of minutes wouldn't be an issue (to stop for a potty break or, if with a group with some slower persons and needing to wait up for the slower persons, etc.).
Also, considering riding on a fairly flat course versus a course like IM WI (Moo) or the harder Triple H (Horribly Hilly Hundred), or riding the mountains in the Western States, then, a rest would possibly be needed.
However, I'm not a coach or trainer, and rely on my body to tell me otherwise.
I would tend to agree with Bryancd's response if I was in my training phase still, but since I'm not, I would more than likely take the break.

Edited by 1stTimeTri 2010-04-09 8:42 PM
2010-04-09 9:47 PM
in reply to: #2779382

Expert
1773
10005001001002525
San Gabriel Valley, California
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?

I like to take a lunch break somewhere around halfway on very long (50+ - soon to be 100+ - mile) rides.  For starters, it breaks up a long day and second, it cuts down on the amount of nutrition I have to bring along.  Besides, it seems so civilized to stop for lunch.  Please tell me that this is not harmful or at least a big negative to IM training. 




2010-04-09 10:21 PM
in reply to: #2779382

Champion
9600
500020002000500100
Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
Stopping for a long break is fine....assuming that's what you plan to do in a race.
2010-04-09 10:21 PM
in reply to: #2779382

Expert
1046
100025
Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
I stop once an hour on the trainer ... stretch out, dry off, set of plyometric jump squats maybe ... outside, I am usually training while I ride, and not just riding ... but I usually get off the bike some ... dunk my feet in the creek, snap a photo, whatever ... I never worry about the adverse impact on my training as long as I am riding ...
2010-04-09 10:24 PM
in reply to: #2780745

Champion
9600
500020002000500100
Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
AdventureBear - 2010-04-09 12:58 PM

It will have absolutely no detrimental impact on your training.


Besides the fact that it will change the nature of your training. I'm not going to back down on this for anyone reading this thread. If you are training a long bike, it's important to ride as much as you can without stopping. If you need to have a nature break or need fluids, no problem. If you are just stopping just because, you are changing the nature of the workout and not pushing the adaptations you are looking to achieve. If that doesn't matter to you, than have at it and no worries.

Edited by bryancd 2010-04-09 10:25 PM
2010-04-09 10:27 PM
in reply to: #2779382

Champion
5312
5000100100100
Calgary
Subject: RE: Long bike ride: are short breaks OK?
Better not to, but whatcha going to do if you gotta stop right. Worst part is that you are out there longer. I hate that.
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