Of Relaxed Rides and Hikes the Next Day

Two days ago I was cycling with a group and someone commented that the relaxed rides are no longer relaxed and that got me to thinking about organising a real relaxed ride, where the aim is to cycle at 20 on the flat. If I had had this option then I could have tried group rides much sooner. In fact the group rides that I tried last year would have been more comfortable. When a group is fast, and we are not, then the ride is exhausting, even if it has a coffee break.

It could be an option in the near future, but now that I am getting faster I could consider riding with faster groups. It got me to think that "relaxed groups" have a lot of riders that should do moderate rides. I’m one of those people, so this is not criticism. It’s self-reflection.

The reason for which I don’t want to push to the point of exhaustion is that I like to have a reserve for the following day. I like to be able to do a relaxed, or difficult hike. It would be a shame not to be active two days per weekend. Yesterday’s hike was easy, in terms of distance, and speed, but it was a challenge. Slow hikes are more tiring because you’re on the go for longer. The heat didn’t help.

When we walked to the train to head home I could feel that my legs had no reserves left. I could feel that they no longer had enough torque to do much.

It’s amusing because sometimes groups are fast walkers, and sometimes groups are fast cyclists. In both of these cases everyone is happy. It’s when there are slower walkers with fast walkers, and faster cyclists with slower cyclists that there has to be a certain amount of empathy.

During the Jaun to Gruyère walk I was apathetic, and this time I was empathetic. When I was with the Skoda Divonne group I was being pushed too hard so I felt knackered, and on Sunday I felt the group was pushing others too hard.

I am not being critical. This is not meant to be negative. This is me thinking while writing. I know that I would have appreciated a slower group, to get into the habit of cycling. I think that this niche could be filled.

This afternoon I pushed hard, and I was cycling at 20-40 km/h, sometimes straight into a headwind. I felt okay. I believe, that, at this point I could consider riding with a moderate group. On Wednesday and Thursday I could be pushed.

Looking Forward

In future I should ride with Group 2 on Thursday nights and I should try riding with the moderate group. I should take advantage that I am comfortable to push myself. If I push myself when riding solo, then, if and when I ride with stronger groups, my body will be ready for the strain I put it through. I am not 20-30 like they might be.