Cycling After Covid: The Risks & How To Get Back To Riding Safely

How does COVID-19 affect cyclists? Over the past year the virus has been one of the most researched diseases in medical history, and we are able to build great data sets about how it affects people, including fit and healthy cyclists. If you catch the virus can you make a full recovery from it and ride bikes again with no lasting affects? If you've had the virus you might already know, and be looking for the best way to recover. Si spoke to Dr Jon Greenwell who works with EF Pro Cycling to find out more.

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Have you been affected by the Corona Virus? How did you find your recovery? Let us know in the comments below.

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Endless Rupture - Sage Oursler
Reaching Out - Dovetail
Revelations - Marten Moses
Soap - Real Heroes
The Calling (Instrumental Version) - Vivera

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[gcn]

Have you been affected by the Coronavirus? How did you find your recovery? Let us know in the comments below.

[ridercanada]

Si is such a genuinely likable guy. He did a great job representing us.

[mattiapalombi]

Here because I’m getting back into cycling after Covid. Would be great to have an updated video on this matter. Cheers

[TooOldToScrum]

I contracted COVID-19 in hospital it seems, tested negative on admission but positive 3 days later. I was sent home to isolate, experienced a 39.5 fever and really bad aches and pains.
These have all but gone and all other symptoms as well 10 days after the positive test.
I have episodes of atrial fibrillation sporadically over the past years and do visit a cardiologist on an annual basis to keep an eye on things. He recommends the bike but not to go mad which is tough for anyone that loves being out on the bike.
I can see that the virus could affect all organs including the heart if the lower back pain I experienced was anything to go by, I was in a bad way.
I have no energy at the moment 12 days post testing so will be staying resting and recovering.

A few days more off the bike seems a small price for many more in the future.
Stay safe.

[SebastienRamsamy]

I got on the bike yesterday for the first time since I contracted Covid 19 on 21.01.21 and was ready to go back this afternoon but noticed my heart rate was unusually high at 160/70 bpm at a moderate 20/30 km/ph. Following your advice I think I'm gonna keep resting instead.
Thanks to GCN for posting great relevant content once again.

[Ozaneee]

My friend caught covid 19 and he's been in ICU for a good 3 weeks and sometimes critical, but thankfully he survived and even though the respiratory is a bit worse than before but thank God he's alive 🙏

[rorycoxhill]

It has taken me a year from developing symptoms in Feb 2020 to getting back to near normal fitness levels. I took it very slowly, getting stronger each week. It has been hard work.

[mrsesterhuizen]

Almost 8mnths after Covid. Still struggling with symptoms. Only start cycling a week ago. Not easy.😷

[speckles]

Si! This was some proper journalism, making good sense of this platform. Thumbs up.

[maniac]

In short terms: Don't exersice too soon after a serious illness... Be patient!

[jedisdad]

It has taken 8 months to get to the point I can ride 40miles in a single ride. The first 5 months I couldn’t even ride 4 miles. COVID sucks! Still only doing about 60 miles per week down from 100+

[chi-sumhau]

Tested positive on 2nd Dec 2020. Only been out on the bike once since but have done a fair few 5km run (with no health related problems) to date. Fitness feels 'normal' like pre covid.

[Martycycleman]

I have had covid and now recovered im slowly getting back on the bike.
Initially i was extremely tired and couldnt even walk around the block. My sens of smell was affected and the tiredness seemed to be my only simtoms.
Ive started using my bike on the wahoo trainer with some trepidation after reading articles from JMC which recommend similar care as you have in your article. Im using Sufferfests Transition training plan as a starter which ive had to re start as i found i was getting very tired after only a few rides.
The step test at the begining of training showed that id dropped 50% of my original FTP. Im now three weeks from completing the traning and feeling a lot more confident that im ready for my next stage of training.
One thing i will take away from this is REST. I now realise that rest nd listening to you body is the key to recovery. Good luck to you all.

[mhathaway]

Had my second dose of maderna yesterday and I’m definitely not in active shape today. Prayers to anyone that has Covid.

[MichalBrat]

I felt quite good after 10 quarantine and 10 recovery days and even took a first ride. I got worse thereafter (that can be just a coincidence, though), gradually I got more and more fatigued and brain-fogged and 6 weeks on I am at home for the third week, not knowing when and if I get better. So, yeah... give it time, guys!

[randyisrad]

I had COVID back in October and my symptoms seem to have been pretty consistent with other "mild" cases: sore throat, muscle weakness/achiness, heavey feeling in the chest, and shortness of breath. I was off the bike for a little more than two weeks then eased back in slowly. I ride roughly 200km a week now and I don't constantly feel any lingering effects; however, from time to time I get (what I have come to call) "COVID chest" which feels like my lung capacity is only operating at like 80%. It doesn't last very long, maybe 10-15 minutes, but it puts a damper on how hard I can go on the bike if it happens when I'm riding. Besides that I feel great.
Thanks for the video and keep up the good work.

[Dunharrow]

Please do an updated vlog on this subject. Stellar work as always #GCN

[micomrkaic]

A depressing, somewhat reassuring and absolutely necessary video. Thank you for this.

[JohnGalt]

i am 46 still testing positive, but first week was the hardest, my heart rate was crazy hight while resting in bed with mild fever and body aches, week 2 was extreme fatigue no fever no aches, its the end of week 3 now, i feel totally normal, been riding indoors with Zwift every other day, feels great to ride, basically a case of a mild flu, my wife got it from me and it hit her harder but she's recovered enough to start arguing with me so everything is back to normal.

[digitaldion]

I had COVID and was very sick. It took at least 3 weeks before I could even take a slow walk around my garden. I built back slowly, and now I can say that I am back up to full speed with no lasting effects. Thanks for the great videos!