[Kuma601]

Today I was wayyyy off. When you have one of those days, do you persist and do your loop or do you cut it short and head back?

Today I persisted and did my 30 miles but the whole time I was on that edge of a hamstring and calf cramp. It was a slow slugging ride because I just couldn't get into a groove either.

 

[Creakyknees]

Mmm this one needs a choice for "depends"

What's the rest of my week look like? What's my past few days / weeks of training look like? What's my next target event? Am I tired because of obvious reason X?

But in your case, I woulda bagged it.

 

[Wookiebiker]

As was mentioned it depends on what your goals are and why your legs are cooked.

If it's part of a hard week shift to an easier gear and spin your way through the ride. You still get the work in, just not at the higher level you wanted.

I've done this before on weeks where I have had 2 races earlier in the week. I'll go on my long hill route and my legs are just toast...so I'll back off the speed and keep my HR down (usually keep it under 140-145 bpm) and just spin through the ride. It takes a bit longer, but I generally feel better the next day...which in this case is usually a rest day off the bike.

If you are a recreational rider who is just out for the fun of it and your legs are cooked from riding a bunch. Bag it for the day and do something else.

 

[calle_betis]

Depends.

I was out for 40 yesterday and felt like crap until about 20 miles. Then I was glad I stayed with it. If it was a muscle or tendon issue, I'd pull the plug.

 

[BikeProf]

I experienced something similar today. Last night I drilled it hard in the Tuesday Night training crit, chasing a break for 5 laps, redlined the whole way, until I caught on (and then I sprinted for 3rd). Today I was planning to do 3 hours, but my quads had other ideas. I decided to cut it a little short and only did a little over 2 hours instead. Sometimes I listen to my body and sometimes I tell it to HTFU.

 

[Cory]

Life's easier since I became a recreational rider

Four or five years ago I read something disparaging about "middle aged recreational riders," and I was silently agreeing--until it dawned on me that I WAS a middle-aged recreational rider. I'm never going to race again, and I don't care if teen-age girls pass me on the climbs. Basically I ride for enjoyment, with fitness as a bonus, and my goal isn't to be the first one up the hill on Saturday, but to still be able to climb the hill when I'm 75. I do exactly as much as I feel like, plus maybe a little to see if I still can. I rarely give up on a ride, but I don't worry at all if my average speed is down two or three or four miles per hour.

 

[uber-stupid]

Clearly you haven't been reading <i>chewing</i> magazine.

 

[minstrie]

Depends.

I was out for 40 yesterday and felt like crap until about 20 miles. Then I was glad I stayed with it. If it was a muscle or tendon issue, I'd pull the plug.

My sort of experience/practice exactly.

Minstrie

 

[edhchoe]

I quit easily. I can't stand pain.

 

[Kuma601]

My left leg had other ideas about the ride obviously. Usually I keep at it and the kinks work out, not this ride. I kinda had an idea my legs would be tired and debated a tennis shoe ride on the MTB but I grabbed the road bike instead.:rolleyes5:

 

[JohnnyTooBad]

I've never bagged a ride. I'll slow down and soft pedal for a while. Sit up and drink some. Just get my brain back in gear. If I have leg cramps, I'll take a rest stop and stretch, but I have never just quit.

 

[ownedbybiggs]

Milwaukee rider

I've only quit a ride twice, once, tooo hungover, and the second was a few days ago in 100% humidity, couldn't breath and was sweating like a fat man at a buffet. Normally bad days smooth out in about 5miles and then the "inner" biker takes over :thumbsup:

 

[phoehn9111]

Barring severe overtraining and sleep\nutrition factors, which you should already
be controlling, I have found that I usually feel very strong the first couple of miles.
I have made a concerted effort to hold back during this stage, because I seem to
hit a minor wall miles 3-10, then flatten out and become fully acclimitized to riding
after around 10 miles. Cytomax really helped me to 'hit the zone' and maintain
a higher, steadier level of performance. YMMV

 

[Dinosaur]

I never cut a ride short unless I bonk or get ill. Of course I don't go up the hills as fast as I used to. I'm probably ass backwards. I upped my mileage and cut back on the intensity.
I try to make my riding as fun as possible. I usually stop mid-ride in a shady spot and just enjoy the splendor of nature.

 

[Haridic]

If you find the urge to cut it, think about why your riding, obviously you have some motivation to be out there riding, just rethink what motivation it is and reclear your head and set out, if you cant find that reason go home, theres nothing wrong with stopping

 

[iliveonnitro]

It depends and if I feel it is bad enough, I will turn it into a recovery ride.

But, more often than not, HTFU.