Make it Happen Monday: The Bike Detox
After having an eating binge out, or big celebration…a Bike Detox is just what you need. Over the past few months we’ve posted a couple smoothie detox recipes to help you get back on track following a major splurge in the eating department and you can find those right here (Smoothie Detox #1 and Smoothie 
Detox #2). But a Bike Detox just might be more to your liking….I know it is for me.
As with most things, I’m a little un-orthodox when it comes to my riding schedule. Where as most people get in the majority of their miles on the weekend, I almost always ride all week-long so that I can relax and enjoy Family Time all weekend long. Most of the time, that also means a little over-indulging on some oh so tasty food. More than a time or two I’ll find myself waking up on Monday morning with a bit of a food hangover and in serious need of a good detox….and the bike always comes to my rescue.
I might be feeling sluggish, bloated, or just plain lazy from a weekend of too much eating, but one good hard Monday bike ride and I’m feeling like a Rock star once again. Those smoothies I mentioned would definitely be an added bonus, but I like to think of the bike as my main detox source. That Monday detox ride re-ignites my metabolism, clears out the cobwebs in the head, and does so many more things to boost my mental and physical performance.
It’s just one more reason why I’m Loving the Bike and so very thankful for having two wheels on a frame to turn to when I need it most.
Can’t believe I dug up a thread from 2012 while looking for answers on a bike detox. I have to agree with Darryl on the detox ride. As a Peloton fanatic, I just don’t have the intervals in me after a weekend of debauchery. I like to do a long, mid level ride that has a few hills but nothing that’s a strenuous ride that would tax me too much. I think the key to a detox is a long sweat versus a short jolt of sprints.
Thanks for jumping into this. Yeah, the beauty of the internet is that content never dies. I totally agree that a long sweat is better than short sprints for detox.
I would comment here, but it would only serve to duplicate what you’ve already done……Love it!
Kind of figured you would, Joel. Keep on spreading the healthy vibe out there.
I like this idea. Going to check out the smoothies now.
Awesome…..those smoothie recipes of Kelli’s are amazing.
I cannot tell you how badly I long for the day when I can do this. I know it is the topic of many other excellent blogs about life and choices and I admire you and your wife for how you guys have nailed it. For me, I made the bed I sleep in, and at the moment it does not allow me the opportunity for that Monday morning ride. But Someday! Not to far away, I will. and it will be AWESOME.
Have a great week!
We agree 100%.
What a great concept. You read all about these detox programs and clenses, but I agree that the bike or any type of fitness is the best way to get your body feeling great. Nice post, Darryl.
Ha, I love it. I could use a little bike detox today myself. Unfortunately it is way too cold for me to get outside today but I will get on the trainer for some detoxing.
Nice shirt.
Thanks KoIfla….get your #bikeschool jersey at http://gear.grouchosports.com/category/groucho-collaborative.
So Darryl, what is your preferred “detox ride”? Long and lengthy? Sprints and intervals? Or short and sweet just to get the pistons firing correctly for the rest of the week?
I am 2 months in to my 40 pound weight loss goal, and on track too, down 10 pounds. But because I have my day job and a 2 hour commute each weekday there is no way I am able to get a ride in on the weekdays. Most often the cheat days on my diet fall on the long days on my bike and i think that works out well. Because while I may eat 1200 calories in NY Cheescake Pancakes for breakfast I end up burning off 1500+ on my bike. I only think that this works because I have set my target date for losing the 40 pounds so far off in the distance. If I was trying to lose lots of weight fast this would be extremely counter productive.
Great question, Shawn…not sure how I missed putting information like that into this post. I think it is more of an individualized thing and you have to find what type of “bike detox” works best for you.
If I really had a huge binge out and am not feeling great then I’ll go out for an easyish to mid level ride of at least an hour. If it wasn’t too bad of a binge out then my detox ride can range from one to two hours at a mid level pace…sometimes harder.
The most important thing is getting my body functioning properly again….as well as my mind. I honestly feel that having the body you want is part physical and part mental. I should really post more on the mental aspects sometimes, but if you ever have any questions be sure to ask.
Darryl