Taking breaks on long rides
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2011-06-21 8:05 PM |
Veteran 307 Liberty Lake, WA | Subject: Taking breaks on long rides I had a quick question to put out there...do many of you take short breaks when you do 1-3 hour rides? I take a few short ones to stretch and maybe eat or drink and usually half way I take a 5-10 minute break. Are breaks a good idea? Bad idea? What are your thoughts on them? |
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2011-06-21 8:07 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I think if you're trying to podium don't take breaks. 1-3 hour rides are short enough not to really require a break. 4-5 hour rides, I'll get off the bike for about 10 minutes at the mid point just for a change of pace but that's all. Eat and drink on the bike, what else do you have to do? You're going to do it that way in the race, why not actually train for it? |
2011-06-21 8:10 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Extreme Veteran 845 Springfield, OH | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I don't think there is much harm in taking breaks on longer rides. Depends what your goal is. I typically don't take breaks unless I'm going to be riding 3 or more hours. In which case, I'll plan a break around a little over half way, hopefully somewhere near a restroom and water supply so I can unload, refill, and have a quick bite to eat of the sandwich I brought with. I would say even a 15 minute break in the middle of a real long ride probably will have no ill effects on training. If you're stopping for 5 minutes every 30 minutes, you might be losing some of the benefits of the endurance training, but even then it's not like you're taking an hour off every 30 minutes. |
2011-06-21 8:23 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Expert 977 | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides We always take breaks on our long rides. Usually every couple of hours. Hop off, stretch, pee, etc. enjoy. Duane |
2011-06-21 8:26 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides xine2kgts - 2011-06-21 6:05 PM I had a quick question to put out there...do many of you take short breaks when you do 1-3 hour rides? I take a few short ones to stretch and maybe eat or drink and usually half way I take a 5-10 minute break. Are breaks a good idea? Bad idea? What are your thoughts on them? I'll occasionally take a break on my long (4 hr) rides for the week, but that's about it. Only other time I'll take a break is on a group ride when we gather everyone. John |
2011-06-21 8:40 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Champion 7595 Columbia, South Carolina | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I very rarely take breaks on long rides. This time of year, the temperature sometimes requires a break to refill bottles. Otherwise, I don't see the point -- it only delays that beautiful feeling of arriving home. If you are riding 3-5 hours, a 5 minute break really makes almost no difference. If you feel that it enables you to get through the ride, then fine, but honestly if you can ride 3-5 hours with a 5 minute break, you can ride 3-5 hours with no break. Going without a break will prepare you, mentally, for race day. (Physically, I think it's a wash.) |
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2011-06-21 8:44 PM in reply to: #3561123 |
Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides DanielG - 2011-06-21 8:07 PM I think if you're trying to podium don't take breaks. 1-3 hour rides are short enough not to really require a break. ... Ever ride the IM WI bike course loop? |
2011-06-21 8:45 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Master 2468 Muskego, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides The only time I stop is to use the restroom or refill bottles. I don't find the need to stop and stretch, or grab a bite to eat. This is one of the main reasons I don't group ride here in Okinawa, they seem to like to stop every hour or so and chat chat chat. I do long rides to train for long races, I don't stop to chat there either. I guess that's along the lines as "train as you race." |
2011-06-21 8:46 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Master 2426 Central Indiana | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides On long solo rides (>2-3hr) I usu only stop to refill my bottles & (ahem) de-hydrate. I can carry enough calories for the ride. On a faster century (<6hr total time) I prefer NOT to stop for >5min. Too long a stop & my muscles start to tighten/cool so I need to warm-up again (PITA). That said, on long group rides I'll stop with the group which is typically every 90min-2hr. But most times between taking pulls & a few sprints I'm ready for a break. Not sure I've noticed that taking short breaks during long training rides lessens the conditioning value of the ride. |
2011-06-21 9:01 PM in reply to: #3561119 |
Master 2563 University Park, MD | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I think it very much depends on your level of experience, and what you're trying to achieve with the longer ride. If you're aiming for targeted race prep for a HIM or IM, then you'll want to simulate the race situation. But if you're just trying to get the legs, butt, arms, digestive system etc. accustomed to going for many hours, or if you're simply aiming for a (gasp) nice long ride, then don't feel guilty about taking short breaks. I do most of my riding as structured workouts on the trainer, so when I get outside for a longer 3-6 hour ride I generally take a few minutes every 50-90 minutes to refuel. It doesn't seem to prevent the legs from feeling the strain of the long ride. And I enjoy it. But I have no IM ambitions, and my longest bike events are gran fondo style or untimed century/challenge rides, so this type of long ride works just fine for me. |
2011-06-21 11:20 PM in reply to: #3561150 |
Champion 7233 | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides tkd.teacher - 2011-06-21 7:26 PM xine2kgts - 2011-06-21 6:05 PM I had a quick question to put out there...do many of you take short breaks when you do 1-3 hour rides? I take a few short ones to stretch and maybe eat or drink and usually half way I take a 5-10 minute break. Are breaks a good idea? Bad idea? What are your thoughts on them? I'll occasionally take a break on my long (4 hr) rides for the week, but that's about it. Only other time I'll take a break is on a group ride when we gather everyone. John thats about where I am. on my longer rides in the 4-6 hour range, we stop a few times to re-fil bottles at parks. outside of that not a tno really. |
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2011-06-22 7:44 AM in reply to: #3561119 |
Master 2491 | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I'll get off to pee or refill water but not to strech or eat, generally. |
2011-06-22 7:53 AM in reply to: #3561518 |
Extreme Veteran 2261 Ridgeland, Mississippi | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides monkeyboy64 - 2011-06-22 7:44 AM I'll get off to pee or refill water but not to strech or eat, generally. This. |
2011-06-22 7:56 AM in reply to: #3561518 |
Extreme Veteran 845 Springfield, OH | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides monkeyboy64 - 2011-06-22 8:44 AM I'll get off to pee or refill water but not to strech or eat, generally. You get off to pee, but not poo, right? |
2011-06-22 8:24 AM in reply to: #3561540 |
Iron Donkey 38643 , Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides apicek - 2011-06-22 7:56 AM monkeyboy64 - 2011-06-22 8:44 AM I'll get off to pee or refill water but not to strech or eat, generally. You get off to pee, but not poo, right? *wondering if I should find that thread and pic?* |
2011-06-22 9:22 AM in reply to: #3561587 |
Extreme Veteran 821 | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I do multiple loops (30 miles loops) so I can load more water or sport drinks and unload |
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2011-06-22 9:37 AM in reply to: #3561176 |
Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides papson14 - 2011-06-21 8:45 PM The only time I stop is to use the restroom or refill bottles. I don't find the need to stop and stretch, or grab a bite to eat. This is one of the main reasons I don't group ride here in Okinawa, they seem to like to stop every hour or so and chat chat chat. I do long rides to train for long races, I don't stop to chat there either. I guess that's along the lines as "train as you race." Oh, that drives me bananas on long rides! When I stop to refill water I get in and out of the place as quick as possible...water....potty....trash....throw food in mouth...back on bike. 5 minutes MAX unless there is a line for the cash register. When I go on group rides they spend FOREVER at gas stations! I like to train as close to how I'll race as possible. You aren't going to spend 15-20 minutes chit chatting at a gas station during a race. So I only stop when I absolutely have to for water or bathroom breaks. If I could find someone to stand around and do bottle exchange for me I would. I find it even FUNNIER that people who take these long breaks don't include the time in their ride and the long breaks allow them to go faster inbetween so they are SO PROUD of their fast time...that included 1 hour of standing around...just sayin'. |
2011-06-22 9:45 AM in reply to: #3561119 |
Veteran 364 Columbus | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I do not usually take breaks as sometime stop lights and such give you an opportunity to rest. Last night we did stop in a random garage on the side of the road because the down pour of water and lightning but once the lightning was gone we continued. |
2011-06-22 9:45 AM in reply to: #3561768 |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides jldicarlo - 2011-06-22 10:37 AM papson14 - 2011-06-21 8:45 PM The only time I stop is to use the restroom or refill bottles. I don't find the need to stop and stretch, or grab a bite to eat. This is one of the main reasons I don't group ride here in Okinawa, they seem to like to stop every hour or so and chat chat chat. I do long rides to train for long races, I don't stop to chat there either. I guess that's along the lines as "train as you race." Oh, that drives me bananas on long rides! When I stop to refill water I get in and out of the place as quick as possible...water....potty....trash....throw food in mouth...back on bike. 5 minutes MAX unless there is a line for the cash register. When I go on group rides they spend FOREVER at gas stations! I like to train as close to how I'll race as possible. You aren't going to spend 15-20 minutes chit chatting at a gas station during a race. So I only stop when I absolutely have to for water or bathroom breaks. If I could find someone to stand around and do bottle exchange for me I would. I'm one for quick stops and only when necessary. Another reason I don't do group rides. |
2011-06-22 9:47 AM in reply to: #3561119 |
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2011-06-22 10:44 AM in reply to: #3561119 |
Master 9705 Raleigh, NC area | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides I stop if nature calls or if I don't have enough water to get me home. I drink about one bottle an hour so a three hour ride will normally involve a c-store stop. |
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2011-06-22 11:02 AM in reply to: #3561119 |
Veteran 307 Liberty Lake, WA | Subject: RE: Taking breaks on long rides Thanks for all the advice! Stopping sometimes gives me the ability to stretch my upper body from all the aero riding. Maybe if I put in more miles I will be able to do 3-5 hours without stopping. |