How Slow Can You Go: Perfecting the Recovery Ride

Avoid the one big mistake cyclists make when it's time for recovery

June 10, 2010


But what about recovery on a grander scale? The concept of a grand recovery period has implications for all athletes. Amateur racers and recreational cyclists frequently participate in events for several years and then turn to other pursuits and interests. Maybe you were a Cat 3 or an avid century rider five years ago, but your bike has been collecting dust or you've resigned yourself to just a weekend spin to stay moderately fit. It's not too late for a comeback.


Regardless of where you are in the process, there's one aspect of training that trips up cyclists more than any other: recovery rides. The concept is ridiculously simple: Take a very easy spin on your bike. To be honest, there's little scientific evidence that recovery rides are any more beneficial—physiologically—than sitting on your couch. The same can be said for massage, but athletes and coaches swear by both as ways to enhance between-workout recovery. Both help athletes feel fresher and looser for their next hard training session. And there's a clear psychological benefit to that.


Ease Off the Gas Pedal
So how do you properly execute a recovery ride? Start out easy. Once you're at a nice, relaxed pace, take your speed down another notch. You can't go too easy, but it's easy to go too hard. Think of it as taking the bike for a walk: You shouldn't be working any harder than you would during a stroll to the coffee shop. Your power output should be 30 to 50 percent of your maximum sustainable power output, and your heart rate should not go above 70 percent of your maximum sustainable heart rate. Keep your cadence at about 90 rpm—at low speeds and in low gears, this will seem brisk—and ride for 30 to 60 minutes. A power-meter graph from a recovery ride should show a low and relatively consistent power output, a relatively high cadence and little else.