Sports Recovery for geezers

[rcannon100]

One of the biggest things I find as I get older is that the recovery time gets longer and more pronounced. I used to play Ultimate Frisbee, which involves a lot of sprinting and smashing onto the ground. At some point a few years ago, I would play, and then I would be all but crippled for a couple days – and then be hurt and stiff for a couple more. I played longer then most of my ultimate friends but I had to give it up. Friends who play hockey said the same thing. They could still play – but the recovery time is brutal.

Now I am beginning to experience the same thing with cycling. My range is not great. Last week I took a long ride. It was an easy ride and I had no problem doing the ride. But lordy, days later and I still feel like I am bruised. Recovery time is getting harsher.

So…. particularly our older members who like to bike home the long way…. what secrets do you have for sports recovery. I know the obvious: rest, sleep, nutrition, stretching…. But is there anything in particular that you have found that works particularly well. How do you 50+ guys do these monster rides and still soldier on??

BTW one of the Puggles is back for the weekend and is on my lap supervising this post!

Topic

[hozn]

Yeah, that’s true. I definitely notice BB flex — especially on the non-carbon bikes. I think I notice it more on the new carbon bike too, though it’s hard to tell; are all chainrings imperfect? — There’s always 1-2mm lateral movement of the ring within the FD cage which I find very annoying for getting things dialed in. This seems exacerbated when pedaling hard, which I assume is due to frame flex — but I think it’s also there to a lesser degree when I turn the pedals with the bike in the stand.

[Tim Kelley]

@vvill 77126 wrote:

I’m curious because I always read about stiffer cranks, BBs, frames in general, in all the bike marketing/advertising but the only place I’ve really noticed flex is handlebars.

You gotta weight more than a buck twenty for it to make a difference….

[rcannon100]

I PROTEST! This thread has been completely hijacked! This is sports recovery for geezers. All you non-AARP members, go somewhere else! You’re disturbing our naps!!

[IMG]https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6413303552/hEF43D512/[/IMG]

[vvill]

@hozn 77127 wrote:

Yeah, that’s true. I definitely notice BB flex — especially on the non-carbon bikes. I think I notice it more on the new carbon bike too, though it’s hard to tell; are all chainrings imperfect? — There’s always 1-2mm lateral movement of the ring within the FD cage which I find very annoying for getting things dialed in. This seems exacerbated when pedaling hard, which I assume is due to frame flex — but I think it’s also there to a lesser degree when I turn the pedals with the bike in the stand.

Actually I have noticed something around the BB on my hybrid but couldn’t quite figure out the feeling. If I rest one leg on the chainstay, and pedal with the other, it feels like the frame is flexing – but part of me wonders if that’s just the motion of the bike tricking my brain.

@Tim Kelley 77128 wrote:

You gotta weight more than a buck twenty for it to make a difference….

Ha, I actually do weigh quite a bit more than that. But actually yeah I do wonder with some of the differences body mass makes on bike design and comfort. Obviously wheels can be made lighter for lighter folks, you can change tire pressures, and there’s MTB forks with different settings but most frames, cranks, etc. I assume are perhaps a bit overbuilt for me, so they’d all feel more stiff. That said, the couple of times I’ve ridden nice carbon I noticed greater stiffness, although I assumed it was the carbon wheels.

@rcannon100 77131 wrote:

I PROTEST! This thread has been completely hijacked! This is sports recovery for geezers.

I have the joints/bones of a geezer according to my doctor…

[PotomacCyclist]

@rcannon100 77131 wrote:

I PROTEST! This thread has been completely hijacked! This is sports recovery for geezers. All you non-AARP members, go somewhere else! You’re disturbing our naps!!

[IMG]https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6413303552/hEF43D512/[/IMG]

Looks like you are hunching over with your back in the photo. Remember, always use proper form.

[hozn]

@rcannon, sorry!

[mstone]

@vvill 77132 wrote:

Actually I have noticed something around the BB on my hybrid but couldn’t quite figure out the feeling. If I rest one leg on the chainstay, and pedal with the other, it feels like the frame is flexing

Maybe, don’t do that? I don’t think I’m flexible enough to put a leg on the chainstay while pedaling, so it hasn’t come up for me.

[vvill]

@mstone 77141 wrote:

Maybe, don’t do that? I don’t think I’m flexible enough to put a leg on the chainstay while pedaling, so it hasn’t come up for me.

I brought it up just as an example of one time I’ve noticed frame flex. I’ve only done it out of necessity.

[rcannon100]

@hozn 77137 wrote:

@rcannon, sorry!

Eh, what’s that?? Matlock is on???

[cyclingfool]

Abe Simpson’s been getting a lot of air time around here lately.

[Author]

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