How fast is condition lost?

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I am interested in doing some reading in how fast it takes to loose condition. There are numerous reasons why some of us might take 3 - 4 weeks off the bike but I am curious to know how much condition is actually lost during this period of time.

Anyone got any links to studies that have been done.

Second part is how much condition is lost if you also have a cold during this period?

Regards Ben..

Fast. Really, really fast.

It is quite disturbing how quick you lose conditions. If you take a month off it will take some where around 3 months to get back where you were.

Fast. Really, really fast.

It is quite disturbing how quick you lose conditions. If you take a month off it will take some where around 3 months to get back where you were.
Even longer if you're over 35.

OTOH

Over 35 and have done little structured riding over the last three months due to bad knees, pesky virus and hectic work but did a 60sec peak power PB tonight.

Endurance is another matter. 20min power is 30 watts off.

It's one of the depressing things about training/riding : the investment in time/energy to get to a level of fitness, can be dissipated at twice the rate when there is a drop off in training/racing.

I re-read some of my training diaries from a 2005 - I put in 12,000 miles that year.
I slackened off quite a bit in 2006 and the loss of fitness was substantial.
I missed a good part of Jan/Feb 2006, and my average speed and time for specific distances were way off the corresponding times/speeds done during 2005.
The loss of fitness/speed/endurance was very rapid.

For me, there is only one cardinal rule in this sport when it comes to training :
if you intend to achieve/maintain a specific level of fitness, you must consistently train/ride.
Sporadic training, riding when you only want to ride - doesn't work, in my experience.

Even longer if you're over 35.
I am way depressed on reading this statement! :p

Even pros have this problem and seek methods for quick recovery.
I've said enough.

OTOH

Over 35 and have done little structured riding over the last three months due to bad knees, pesky virus and hectic work but did a 60sec peak power PB tonight.

Endurance is another matter. 20min power is 30 watts off.How did you feel after that? Does near spew describe it?:)

Bout that.

I've only had a few rides in the last month (season ended 25th september) and on friday I nearly equalled my mid season PB over 100km.....

I find my endurance never really suffers that much with time off.

Having said that the thought of even doing a 5 minute interval, never mind the result fills me with dread.

My story: Back in the day (when my daughter was a toddler) I rode 100 miles a week on a 25 mile circuit that I could do in about an hour 5-10. With her in a seat on the back I could do it in about an hour 15-20. I was about 100-110 avg rpm. Without realizing it seems I was doing interval training. My best was a 50m charity ride that I did in 2hr 10.

Now: I'm 49 and just started back riding after a 20 year layoff doing little more than walking. I started in July. I would bonk often even on little hills but never cracked. I was averaging about 12mph. By training up from 6m to 12 and now 20 and trying to 'saddle up' at least every other day (without exceeding 5 days a week) I am already seeing the results.

I took a week off because of weather and then purchased Computrainer time at a LBS. Yesterday I rode a 21m (2% max grade) route of which I finished almost 18m in the one hour session I scheduled. Much to my surprise I was at 17-18mph at 88 avg rpm and was in Zone 4.

I agree with Limerick, as today I hurt a bit, so even a one week layoff set back my progression. My 20m outdoor session the week before was a piece of cake. I had my moments as it was my longest ride so far and was outdoors with some 5% grades but only slightly bonked early and was up on the pedals on some of the hills with a good burst over the top towards the end. I felt great with no pain except my butt for which I'm still trying to figure out if the Selle Italia is still breaking in or it is breaking me in.

So...after that long rambling over nothing except my ego...is that once I get to my performance level I am going to avoid at all costs letting it slip away again. It will take me probably the better part of a year to get back to 20-22mph and 110 avg rpm. I will probably be lucky to make the first 50m charity ride in May at that level but hope the Computrainer will help get me there (Wisconsin is not rider friendly in the winter).

The other thing...how long should I give this saddle before I give up on it? I've got over a 150m on it and it ain't getting better. Also any suggestions for a saddle for an alumunium frame? Only the fork is Carbon and as far as stiffness it doesn't seem any worse than my steel frame (maybe even a little better).:confused:

There is an old adage in music education that has been attributed to nearly every major player in the last century, so I'm not sure where it began. I do however find it applicable to all disciplines, not just music and cyvling is no exception!

"Miss one day of practice, no one notices. Miss two day, and you notice. Miss three days, and EVERYONE notices!

In personal expirence, I'm young still(only 21!) and I know that even with my young age and 'youthful exuberance' that if I havent been riding regularly before a race, say I take 3 days off before a weekend race at the peak of my form for the year, I will be screwed come race day!