Physical aspects of riding after a layoff...

What a boring title...

It's been darned cold down here, although still not cold enough to convince me to park the bike. I've just been doing my 10 mile commute to work each day and not much else. HOWEVER, yesterday I woke up to 80 degree weather, sunny skies, and a road whispering my name. Naturally, I'm as weakwilled as the rest of you, so I was out on the bike all day and had one heck of a good time! Just what I needed for the winter blues!!

But today, oh my...I can barely walk. My groin muscles feel like I was doing splits all night or something. Is this normal? Does anyone else have this problem? I guess it's the pressure from the wind after not riding a lot for a couple of months, but man, I'm walking like a ninety year old cowboy after the roundup!

 

Of course anything like that is possible, given circumstances which really strain/work muscles and connective tissue. It usually means you're doing something a little different, or working them much harder. Did you notice if you were trying hug the tank with your knees a little more; or maybe letting your knees fly out in the wind? These may have gone unnoticed in the passion of the ride, but either would do it, especially on an extended cruise.

I remember straining my neck muscles really bad my first couple times out on the bike, after removing the windshield. I had ridden this bike almost every day for 6 years with the windshield on, and now all of the sudden I have to fight wind resistance. I'd walk around like Robbie Robot for a day or two, unable to turn my head.

Z

 

Yes, I've had that happen after a winter layoff. It's much less noticeable if I'm able to keep up my gym/walking routine throughout the winter. It usually goes away after the first couple of rides. Lee Parks addresses rider fitness in "Total Control"....well worth reading.

 

I tell you what, the XJ650J isn't the most comfortable bike for a long ride (at least for a big old guy like me).

I put on about 120 miles one day a couple weeks ago and felt like I was 80 years old for a few days. The numbness left my ass after only one day though.

 

Given that the XJ is a fun bike and she's fast and looks real cool.....

Ok, but I have to say it doesn't even know what comfortable looks like!!!

Her seat is more of a saddle that looks like a seat but rides like a saddle, at my age that seat gets old on the long haul really fast!

I'll still keep the ol' girl though!!!

She makes my heart race like when I was young.....
and still messes my hair up and leaves me wore out when were through.....

Well her paint ain't as shiney as it once was, and her saddle aint as comfortable as it once was...... but then my boney ol' ass aint what it once was either.

I guess as long as she'll keep turning my crank I'll keep revvin er up.