Weak at the start of a ride?

[sdyeti]

Make sure you are hydrated enough at the start of your ride. You should be able to down a water bottle about 1 hr prior to beginning the ride.

[Schecky]

For me, I find that how well I do is directly related to how hyrated I am and how well I ate the day before.
Rest matters a lot too.
No matter what, I take a while to get warmed up.
The first lap at the Loop last week was tough, the second was a breeze.

[Fired Yo Momma]

Don't drink the night before a ride

[LoisMustDie]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Anybody have this problem and how do you overcome it? I am fine after about 6-10 miles but always feel weak at the start.What gives?

I have asthma - so I have to warm up properly or I pay. I have found that if I get my heart rate above 80% anytime in the first 15 minutes of a ride my next 30-45 minutes of exercise is painful and I never quite feel fully warmed up.

I ride at 60% for 15 minutes with a few 1 minute 80% bursts added in after 8-10 minutes. Then I let my heart rate go down for a few minutes - less than 50% effort - and that usually does the trick.

If I know I am going to ride up a hill right out of the car I warm up before getting on the bike or by doing wheelies, hops, track-stands, moderate sprints, etc.

I think the key, at least for me, is to get your heart rate up slowly for that 15 minutes. Then you are warm and ready for action…but remember to get into that 60-80% range…don’t slack somewhere around 50%.
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[Edog]

warm up for at least 5 minutes before stretching. I normally stretch after i've been riding a little to loosen up my back & open up my chest

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

I've actually read that stretching before exercise can actually be detrimental but stretching after is very important. My sports doctor confirmed the same thing. The idea is that your muscles are cold and excessive stretching can actually tear muscles. So if you're going to stretch do it lightly. If you need a deep stretch do it after you have warmed up a bit.

[OMR]

It's probably all those drugs you did when you were younger... they're just catching up with you now.... It took 40 years for mine to catch up ... all those banana peels we smoked...

[Red Ryder]

I love the smell of smoking banana peels in the morning