All injuries are different, and all people are different – there is no definitive answer as to how long you should rest for when injury strikes, or how much you can ‘get away’ with doing.
However, the temptation for most of us is to ignore the warning signs in the first place, avoiding rest and prolonging the injury.
It’s also common to try to get back on the bike too soon (as per my ’70 minute hill ride’), to squeeze in little bits of training that we shouldn’t (lifting weights with a dodgy lower back) and to blow the whole situation out of proportion.
The best advice we can offer, that applies to everyone is:
- See a physiotherapist for the ‘why’ and a doctor if you need to. It might be that the pain is in one area, the the cause is elsewhere, and a professional will help determine the root of your problem
- Get a bike fit unless you know the cause isn’t cycling/fit
- Rest – and don’t worry about losing fitness, you won’t get anywhere fast injured
- Ice, compression, elevation – and anti-inflammatory drugs (or foods)
- Keep busy, the rest period will pass, and you’ll be back on your bike before you know it!
The truth is that a little rest will likely result in a well recovered, fresher cyclist, who is even more in love with riding. A little rest never harmed anyone – so take it when you need to.
Liked this? You might also like ‘How to: Cope With Injury‘.
