Are You Cycling Too Much? | GCN Show Ep. 586
Can there really be such a thing as too much cycling? Seriously, yes. There really can be. In this episode of the GCN Show, we explore the drawbacks of overdoing it. Plus, Hank & Si touch on the Pope's hunt for a new bike, get into cycling shorts, and cover all things cycling from this past week!
Welcome! 0:00
What are we covering in this week’s show? 0:41
You know you’ve done too much cycling when… 2:08
Nerve damage in ultra races 4:56
How can too much cycling affect someone's social life? 5:37
Effects of overtraining 6:46
Cycling shorts 10:02
Mark Cavendish gets 29th palace at the Court Kill Road Race 11:42
Wahoo's new head units! #AD 12:43
“Workpacking”: E-bike mobile home? 13:30
The Italian Olympic team will use Pinarello bikes! #AD 15:57
Demi Vollering will leave her current SD Worx team 16:52
Hack/Bodge of the Week 17:29
Caption competition 19:56
Comment of the Week 21:33
Paris-Roubaix update and what videos you’ll see next! 26:47
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Let us know in the comments! 💬
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What have your experiences been like with cycling too much? Let us know below, and give us your best “You know you’ve been cycling too much when….” anecdotes! 👇
You wake up the following day and your legs feel like there gonna fall off 😅
When you think light shades are perching bats at 3am after you've been riding all day
excellent job you charmers
I damaged the tendons on my right knee when I was about 23. The GP told me to rest and heal for a few weeks, but I was 23 and wanted to ride so carried on, riding through the pain... Now I am in my fifties and have to walk with a cane and my right knee doesn't work properly anymore! Those rides were totally worth it though. 🤣
…there are unread emails/notifications from the previous day
Cycling too much? My girlfriend said she didn't think we were spending enough time together because I spent most of my weekend time cycling, so I bought her a bike for Christmas.
Mine used to ride flatbar bike, got her a dropbar, now, who can't keep up?😂
How did you get for the bike after she left ? ;-)
I did that 2 bikes .wife daughter . There not riding 😢
Cool!) and does she joined you?) that would be even better )
I put an electric motor backwheel on my wife’s bike.
One of the better GCN show episodes I've seen for awhile, Hank and Si is a good duo.
Always good vibes with these two 🙌
Opposite story for me about over training. I'd not seen improvement my riding, gone on vacation with zero time on the bike, then came back to absolutely smash my best time. Oh, right, recovery is important 🤦♀️
I’m on the same boat. I have been riding since last summer and all my PRs are still from when I first started. 4-5 months later I still can’t beat my PRs??? I think it’s time for a litt break
Sounds like you needed the rest! Are you still seeing improvements?
My TrainerRoad plan usually does 2-3 hard weeks, then a very easy week. I always come back much stronger after the recovery week.
You know you've been cycling too much when after 6 months of Finnish winter you still have visible tan lines above your knees
That is some commitment! Where you Zwifting in the tanning booth? ☀
@@gcn believe it or not, just from cycling during the Finnish summer!
When you start having long intimate conversations with your bike.
😂
I always verbally thank my bike and my body after a decent ride. Gratitude and all that...
Hahahaha don't we all sing our bikes to sleep 😴
This is what I call a good balance. I'm 63 and training for Ride London 100 again this year. Did a 43 mile ride yesterday. Gym this morning. Out with my fellow home brewers this evening at the pub to compare and contrast our beery creations. Tomorrow evening - spin class for an hour. Thursday morning - two hours gym resistance and weight training with some studio cycling. Next week, a 70 mile ride. I have blood cancer - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). I've never felt fitter. Live your life people. You only have one.
Sounds like you've got a great system in place! Please take it easy but it's great to hear you are loving cycling.
Go Ian
training for Ride London 100 too here!
I used to cycle so much, that I permanently set the sat.nav. in my smartphone to bicycles and completely forgot about it. Then I used the said smartphone to navigate while driving my car, getting more and more angry every time the sat.nav. lady tried to navigate me towards a cycle path, causing a lot of backtracking and swearing.
🤣🤣🤣
Oh yeah! Was planning a road trip and could not for the life of me figure out why it was going to take 6 days to get to Maine.
Uh oh! Lets face it riding the bike is always better than the car 🚗
You know you’ve been cycling too much when you drive the car like you ride a bike - nodding at cyclists and using hand signals to turn 😂
Nodding at cyclists from your car is definitely a side effect
Hahaha, pointing out the road furniture to other cars 🤣
@@gcn 😁😁😁 yep - or shouting ‘HOLE’ 😁😁
😂😂 I actually passed a cyclist in my car and nodded at him as I passed, no idea what he thought
You know you haven't been riding your bike enough, when you've watched every GCN video, the day came out.
Hahaha there is enough time in the day to get a ride in 😉 Maybe turbo when you watch GCN
Basically, when you have remote interviews, you have cheap mics from Apple headsets (ok, they are not so terrible) and a crappy 720p cameras (pre-M series Macs) and on the show you have big mics, obstructing the essential hack forward slash bodge. The sound is not all that good for obstructing the legendary move. I wonder if any mic is worth the hack/bodge bodge :)
Week one of asking GCN to upload the GCN plus docs
omg yes please. Im in Canada and have no option to watch them...
I second this
We're working on a new home for the GCN+ content. Watch this space and we'll update the community soon 🙌
Yes, please. ❤ @gcn
Great show - awesome dynamic between Si and Hank!
We love filming with these two 🥰
Caption Competition: Beardy guy screaming while ringing his bell "The end is near...alinens live among us...the new Giro aero helmet looks cool....the GCN Camelbak waterbottles are coming soon!!!
Anyone remember a vid long ago of Si saying of Hank that he could walk into a pub full of strangers and walk out with 40 new friends? (Might have been gcn+ doc??) After you deal with the bottled sunshine thing, this should be the next GCN product. How to be an extrovert in five easy steps? Please?
I did a 7 day self supported tour, my right hand was numb for close to 3 month - but even more horrific on another tour road nearly all day in the rain - that night when I pulled my shorts off I pulled a layer of skin off my bum on both sides - that ended that tour …. No riding possible until it healed
Please tell me you got a brand deal with chamois butter as a result? That sounds brutal.
@@BlijVrouw I wish, but I do use it every time now. And yea it hurt to sit anywhere for nearly a week.
That is brutal! It's amazing how deep we'll go for the love of bike riding - That said, issues like hand numbness shouldn't be happening. Have you ever considered a bike fit for future epic rides?
@@gcn so yes - the bike is a custom Moots, after that ride we changed the stem to a Moots Ti Stem, and changed out the bars to Enve carbon bars in a different size. Been a few years, multiple loaded tours and many centuries with no real hand issues since.
Caption: Si, “Is he the town cryer?” Hank, holds back from replying “No, just some local bellend” I know you were thinking it @hank
Love Hank genuinely trying just after the 8 minute mark to keep up with the concept of overtraining. His face clearly shows his brain is failing to comprehend 😅
Hack/Bodge: Ever notice when you walk into a cafe during a ride and you and friends are just too loud for the environment? Bodge goes to fancy mics who's great sound is distorted by too high settings. Ya'hear? (Show still brings the mid-week good spirits!)
Your mentioning of Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham are we going to see anymore content featuring them, now that we've lost GCN Plus. Always loved the content they featured in.
100%
#captioncompetition No mate you can't just give the whole field a "supernice"!
That's a winner 😂
I feel like, at least in america, it's fairly common to bring the bike into the store? I do it when I have to grab 1 or 2 quick things on my way home and I've seen some people do it as well. I wouldn't roll my bike around the store if I am refilling my pantry, but yes for 1 or 2 things. It depends on the location and the space inside the store of course.
Left mine by the trolleys with no problems at all. Nobody said anything, and it is pretty safe, particularly locked to a trolley...
Great point! It can be all about what sort of shop you're doing 🛒
You know you're cycling too much when you always have a smug smile on your face 😊😂
This is so true 🤣 Smiling through the day because you've started with a bike ride 🚴
Lost the feeling in my fingers at last year's Marmotte Granfondo Pyrénées after one hour. Wasn't prepared to hit temperatures in the single digits. Unfortunately, it didn't come back quickly. It took me about one month to be able to turn the key to open my door with the right hand. After three months, the feeling was completely back. My friends love the story. For them, it's a proof I'm crazy!
Chronically overtrained. every single ride is at least 82% of max HR, at least 2 full gas 40mile TTs each week as well. Don't have a woman in my life so have to give my bike everything
I laughed more with this show than any other I’ve watched. Absolutely brilliant.
We could just watch Hank all day. Great show guys.
Ashton Lambie was the first person to go under 4 minutes in the 4K pursuit.
Was he alone on the track at the time? Makes a difference due to the wake and possibly drafting.
Came here to say the same, he set the 4k IP record in 2021. Then took the world championship later that year. Ganna beat that time in 22
#Captioncompetition: GCN brings in a ringer for this weeks Caption Competition. Obviously I don’t stand a chance.
For Connor leaving his bike outside the gas station is less of a problem. The frame size likely wouldn't fit the thief anyway.
Ashton Lambie was the first under 4!!
I never leave my bike outside when shopping. Used to carry locks, but it isn't possible to fully secure a bike from thieves on a public rack (assuming there even is one). I knock as much snow off as possible in the entry, and go about my shopping without anxiety. Very very few people have said anything negative about it.
Knock snow off! Where are you riding? ❄
@@gcn What? You don't get any? It is everywhere in the winter. And now we don't speak of it. Can't jinx it.
Bikepacking without actually bikepacking. Given how unpleasant the camping element of your bikepacking videos has looked I reckon enjoying the prepping and packing element is the answer I’ve been looking for …. Absolute GOLD.
Just have to say that Jenny Graham content is always amazing. If only there was some sort of platform where people could watch long-form videos including her... nope still too soon. Missing GCN+ on my long zwift rides this winter.
I think a point kinda glossed over is that it's still easy to overtrain if you're unfit - too many rides at too high a (relative) intensity will ruin anyone, and there's an especial temptation to push hard every ride in people who haven't got a lot of high mileage training experience. Cue endless debate on the ideal training intensity distribution model...which ultimately culminate in: "if it works for you"!
Here is a serious one. I have seen data which says that endurance athletes are 4-5X more prone to AFIB than those who moderately exercise. If I'd known, I might have taken more rest time earlier on in my running (marathons)/riding (sportives) career. Now 73 y/o and finding a 20 mile ride a challenge. Last year before the AFIB hit, 60 mile rides on the weekend were the norm. I'd sure like Gerry McCann to address what kind of training to do to avoid AFIB later in life. Also, being fit does NOT necessarily protect you from health problems later in life.
Not a guarantee for sure, but better outcomes than not exercising usually.
Guilty as charged. Had one surgery for AFIB and heading towards my second.
Arnie The Cyborg had heart surgery even he has had a lot of activity earlier in his life.
Best of luck with the second surgery. I'm awaiting my second ablation as well. @@timmontgomery4082
Best of luck with the second surgery! @@timmontgomery4082
This was a fun episode! You know you've been cycling too much when you own a bike for every cycling sport. I'm not quite there yet, but added a Peloton to my Gravel, Hardtail and cruiser!
Every time I watch this show, I can’t help but think of the scene in Austin Powers when he is drinking the “fresh brew” and says “it’s a bit nutty”. Keep up the fine efforts folks
56 years old. Keen amateur. 3 of us now have had troubling atrial fibrillation and I'm heading towards a second surgery. In between times fit as a fiddle. Cardiologist says not to stop, but watch intensity. "A Fib is as common as coughs and colds in cyclists in your age group".
I’m 51 and have to say this is concern of mine.. Pete
Fib?
@@grahamriley8124 Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. An irregular heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. AFib can lead to blood clots in the heart. The condition also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
@@williamkeys5701 I see, thanks.
Keep it easy! Great to hear you are loving cycling 🙌
Eight teeth! I feel bad for her. Hope the love of cycling stays strong.
Caption Contest: “Bells will be ringing…Santa staying busy during the off season”
Speaking of Mark Beaumont - I just emailed him about trying to watch his full length documentaries now that GCN+ is no longer (RIP). He replied saying there is now no way to watch them and that he's been in contact with GCN about this - can you PLEASE put them online somewhere? I'm dying to watch the "Around the World in 80 Days" film!
Great to hear that you want to keep watching our content, we're very proud of our GCN+ films. We're currently looking for a new home for our films. When we've found this home we'll let the GCN community know 🙌 Watch this space 👀
Class banter yet again.👍
When your wee wee disappears!! 😂
I've brought my bike into a supermarket. If anyone asks, it's my "comfort bike". It's also cleaner than most comfort dogs. And... yes a waxed chain.
If it's got a waxed chain we don't have a problem 😉
18:27 fair play to Cillian though. I couldn't wait for the video and checked out his result. Under 9 hours, great effort from him and hope he had a great time riding those iconic roads.
Caption Competition : Nice background & biggy smile, easy supernice!!!
My knee reminds me every time I cross limits 🥴
I definetly hit the point when I can't get my heart rate up to usual speed every now and then. Even though it may come after only 5-6 consecutive 2h rides. Because I do have a full time job, do have kids, do have other hobbies that keep me awake longer into the night.
Just got the Wahoo update. Been waiting for ANT+ light integration for literally years, and finally have it. My very old ANT+ lights have a new lease of life. Had the nerdiest rides of my life in the past week, proudly looking at my Wahoo for light status. Eventually I'll get over it, but for now I'm just enjoying this joyful little surprise.
Again, another fun Hank video
Oh well my bike parks in the local cafe on a regular basis. The bike racks aren't road bike secure. I could chain up a wheel but what's the point when someone can open the quick release and take the whole thing. And I can't be bothered to buy a longer chain lock that would reach up to the frame.
Ashton Lambie. How could Si forget that tach? 😢
On a van tour holliday in Yorkshire last year I had to ride out for medical supplies for the other half, so on a 42m round trip ride to the nearest Boots Chemist in Catterick, I took the bike inside and leaned it against the window whilst I picked up my supplies. I asked if it was OK and they said it was. A million thanks to the staff there and massive thanks for their help with my burns treatments.
It's the good experiences that really stick with you isn't it 🙌
GCN water bottle is like world peace - it is on its (endless) way to us.
maybe one day the bottles will arrive!
Genuinely impressed with this week's episode. Didn't sound easy, nor for your colleagues. Genuinely impressed with this week's episode. Didn't sound easy, nor for your colleagues.
We have a lot of gravel in the UK: gravelmac, where tarmac has turned into gravel
Yes was just realizing that this week that I need some rest days after going for 16 days in a row (MTB-1-1:30h/day)
You know you've been cycling too much when your shorts are that thin you start winking at people from behind!
Not a hilarious anecdote (sorry!) but overtraining can really happen to amateurs: currently experiencing overtraining after doing two training sessions each day (running and cycling). I began to plateau in races, couldn't focus at work, cried at terrible instagram videos about puppies learning to do tricks because I was so emotional, and I was so scared of taking a recovery day in case I got slower. I just stagnated. I've been 'resting' for a week now which means just one training session a day, eating as many carbs/protein as I want, and going to get sports massages. It's been a serious issue and basically feels like I have flu every single day. Another sign of overtraining as a woman is I lost my period for THREE MONTHS. Fellow women, this ain't good, so be vigilant! No strava segment is worth it. Happy (normal) riding and thanks for the content @gcn x
Not recovering enough is probably the number 1 reason I'm considering an ebike. I just hate driving when I can be on the trails instead and average commutes in the US are long :(
'Hear yee Hear yee.... By royal decree this race shall now begin' 🔔🔔🔔
I've seen someone taker their bike into my local convenience store. I was shocked, because it seems very cheeky to me - like walking across your mum's new carpet in muddy boots! But then, I discovered that the bike stands outside the shop were both alarmingly wobbly, so definitely not secure. So I guess that was why they decided to take their bike inside!
Is the word Genuinely the next Fantastic 🤣🤣 love ya work team.
Hear ye hear ye Si says the water bottles will be here soon...lol
- How do you carry chocolate coins on ride? - On a headset cap. Stack 'em and make impression of slammed stem, too.
This we would love to see 🙌
I've cycled for a year straight had a few of those symptoms however I've spent the last few months building up muscle mass. Great video my stats from last year 21,120.7 Miles I cycled 50 plus miles a day without any days off for 365 days. Great video let's Ride
I've been into supermarket with my ebike for a quick turn through and left it by the trolleys, wouldn't have done it if I was going to be long, though they often have security person, it isn't their job to look after my bike. Thankfully everyone was understanding and said "nice bike"
Caption comp: GCN’s budget notification bell strikes again
#captioncompetition - 'Does this ring a bell? We weren't there but apparently it got off to an absolute clanger!'
#caption comp That's a super nice bike!!! Rrrrrrring the bell!!!
Hank needs a I LOVE PEOPLE t-shirt
The new mics can't handle Hank's enthusiasm. It's distorted. 😂
It's out for Simon too, but just so much more obvious for Hank.
There aren't many people that can keep up with Hanks attitude 👀
#Captioncompetition: Alex: these bike are supernice! Let's ring the bell
Regarding taking the bike into the supermarket, I went to my local Asda and discovered they had taken away all the bike stands after a recent refurb, so I asked in the shop where I could leave my bike. They told me I could just leave it outside, without locking. I said to the two women ‘Are you mad? My bike’s worth more than your monthly wages!’ I asked if I could take it inside and they said that I wasn’t allowed and I would likely be asked to leave. I said I would take my chances. I got round the whole supermarket with the bike and got my shopping and left. That was the last time I went shopping on my bike.
Caption contest: cillian at tour of Flanders knowing he hasn’t even looked at the uploaded and won’t be fixing it when he is back
Are we going to see more of Hank's Dad in the future?
"A 2-2 is a Sportsman's first" - Si. I can't believe I'd never heard this. Finally I feel vindicated!
You guys are hilarious, best comedy show of the week👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Class episode! I'm cracked up with you guys ha, chocolate coins!! lmao
thumbs up just for Hank!
Not sure you are right to assume overtraining is rare amongst viewers… I’m a 68 year old cyclist, currently preparing for a couple of weeks riding in Tuscany, I race surf skis, and I’m a trail runner. Managing training to maintain performance across three different disciplines is a constant challenge
11:07 44.5km/h average. That’s absolutely insane. It’s no wonder crashes are so often so catastrophic at the speeds they get to now. I did a sportive at the weekend and I think I averaged just over half that 😅
Caption competiton "Last lap boys, just 188km to go now!"
CAPTION-- "Super nice."
Comment of the week. Kris Kringle’s first cousin, Bellius Kringle announces that in fact the new Camelback water bottles have not arrived, but Hank has searched his shed and more used bottles are now available!
Ps the new mics sound like poop.
Caption: This is the easiest way to super nice the bikes at Flanders!
hack/bodge of my week? 3d printed nylon brake bushings to try and keep my ancient center pull calipers going as opposed to replacing the whole units. Haven't had the chance to take them out and try them just yet, but soon!
"Push your limits baby." If your not pushing your limits your just hanging out. Keepemcoming
Great episode lads, laughed a lot, all those carbs must have still been in Hank’s system…
Obsession? How about spending too much time watching KZhead cycling channels and race replays and highlights? Seems if I'm not on my bike I'm spending my recovery in front of my computer with you guys!
We're not complaining about that 😉 Thanks for being part of the GCN community!
Hank's face when called james 😂😂
Wasn't it Ashton Lambie who first did the 4k under 4 minutes?
Yes it was 😄
Caption Competition: Is Jasper Stuyven saying "I think I must have Tinnitus, there's a ringing in my ears"
Time for business love 😂
Cycling too much when you start having chair soreness. You are utterly comfortable on the saddle instead...
You’re cycling too much when you have a serious coffee addiction that you can’t just shake
Headphone use on a bike: very sadly my nephew's flat mate got run over by a cement truck a couple of years ago, and has been left with life changing injuries - and absolutely no fault of her own. Now the compensation has been ruled that she will warrant 66% of the payout because she had headphones in, even though they were not actually on. Hopefully the 66% will still ease her lifestyle changes considerably, but wearing headphones seems to be a factor in compensation decisions.
#Caption: “A charismatic man in fake beard and an old military uniform kicks off the race, captivating the crowd like never seen before.” That’s what gave Hank a clue about where his dad had gone.
Social life is way over-rated I would rather just ride my bike.