When I’ve loads of free time, the trails are dry, my bikes are clean and ready to go, yet I’ve no desire at all to go for a ride, I know it’s time for a rest! Several days after the Big Dog and my legs were still wrecked and beginning to feel as if they’d never be the same again.
So time for an easy week with a few tricks to help the recovery. Firstly a sports massage – nice and relaxing, I normally come out feeling all lethargic but it soon sorts out sore legs. This week it took two attempts since the first time my muscles were too tight to feel the usual benefit.
Next recovery spins help loosen thing up – short, slow and boring! Then cold water – initially painful but feels great after. So the solution is to combine the two and make the most of living in Dublin. All summer I’ve been dragging non-cycling friends out for a short ride to Sandymount or the Forty Foot in Dublin bay to go swimming in the sea. It’s amazing to swim looking out across the city and up to the mountains. Also it’s hard to be a chicken about getting cold and wet when the sea is full of 70 year olds showing you how it’s done! So combining that with plenty of sleep and lots of stretching and FINALLY my legs seem to have returned to normal and were itching to get out on the 3 rock singletrack today. Now I just hope they still remember how to go fast! view from 3 rock of Dublin
