Been off the bike since a cold hit me Sunday night, so I was glad to wake up this morning with almost-cleared sinuses. After several hours of catching up on much-needed yard work, I decided it was time to ride.
“Don’t go crazy!” warned my wife, as I headed out the door. I had no intention of it. I decided to do my regular Friday route, minus the two hills that I normally include. And I would pedal at a Zone 2 pace (that means slow and easy).
It’s always a revelation to see just how much being off the bike can affect your pedaling. Off the bike, plus weakened a bit by the illness. I did not have any verve rolling through the neighborhood, but I reminded myself that verve wasn’t what I was after. It was just some time on bike. Turn those pedals. Don’t worry about speed.
I was out for about an hour and a quarter. I rode almost 19 miles, cleared out the rest of my sinuses, and felt great when it was over. Because I rode easy, I wasn’t even tired. Then I checked my computer. A 14.5 mph average. That’s a whopping three-tenths of a mile per hour under my average pace for that route.
Riding easy does pay dividends. I might ride easy again tomorrow.
I agree, especially when I am feeling sick, going easier and listening to your body pays off. If I’m dealing with a cold, exercise will always make me feel better. I just gotta remember that, because when I’m under 2 comforters in bed I easily forget!