[Closed] Can't sleep after a hard ride

alcohol, you seek alcohol. and also snacks

Aww, come on guys. Are we [i]not[/i] doing phrasing? [/Archer mode]

Strange, I can hardly stay awake after a hard ride.

If you're spending time transitioning/generally faffing after you've got in from a ride before you start to decide what to eat your evening meal, that could possibly play a part as well due to you finishing digesting it enough to
go to bed happening later?

Edit: Cammomile(sp) tea?

Adrelidin, most sports people and ravers have the same issue.

Big cup of yogurt plus milk and some salt ... drink that and you shall sleep like a log.

It's not a quality sleep though if you get Müllered.

I had to stop doing night rides aso I could never sleep. The harder the ride, more tiring the training the harder it was.

I started taking a ZMA supplement, that made a massive difference, really improved my sleep quality too.

Beer and carbs: assuming, like me, you're too old for a funny cigarette...

If you eliminate all the great suggestions above, I would wonder if it is "overtraining"? By which I mean you are not giving your body enough time to fully recover between exercise sessions so you get elevated heart rate etc during sleep as it works like hell to rebuild?
https://www.muscleforlife.com/8-signs-of-overtraining/
As an ex-bodybuilder (ie failed) we did it on purpose for 2-3 days and then apparently you get massive gains in the recovery time - supercompensation. I say apparently because I never saw it, was probably doing it wrong, and could not find a reliable method of measuring "gains" anyway.
However I did have measurable sleep loss after overtraining, tossing and turning, can't sleep, feeling hyper alert despite being utterly knackered, and generally a miserable experience.

Sex. Have sex. Then sleep.

Rachel

Caher - Member
Adrelidin, most sports people and ravers have the same issue.

This +1

You need to factor in a warm down, eat potassium and yoghurt and salts as mentioned. Could also take one of those sleep aid tables, or two.

take one of those sleep aid tables

bearnecessities - Member
It's not a quality sleep though if you get Müllered.

This didn't get the appreciation it deserves, bravo!

Stress and high cortisol levels?

https://breakingmuscle.com/learn/why-and-how-you-absolutely-must-manage-your-cortisol

What Rachel said, get some protein through the tubes....

Sex. Have sex. Then sleep.

Twice? 😳

I'd take Rachel up on her kind offer 🙂

I read that cortisol levels elevate due to this fight or flight mechanism and normally drop down after some time, but some people's levels stay elevated due to adrenal system problems, and this is what maybe keeps you awake in such situations.
Cortisol testing seems fairly expensive, that's why I never got it done

On the other hand,I too couldnt sleep after a very long hard day walking mountains or riding,but have had insomnia problems for years, and am only starting to sleep properly now, due to a recent therapy

CX racing kills both me and Munqe Chick with this, a mixture of (I assume) adrenaline and throbbing/burning legs. Double header weekends mean we're wiped out by Monday! Doesn't help for us that we have no warm up or cool down as our races are back to back and we pit for each other - I cross the finish line with a HR of 185 and trying not to puke, then spend the next hour stood still in the freezing cold wearing as much clothing as I can lay my hands on, whilst she does the opposite heading out to the start grid.

Higher heart rate and feeling hotter than normal, restless etc? Probably raised cortisol levels as linked above, stress or response to a ride that's at the higher level of your ability. Get fitter and build up more gradually and it'll take a tougher ride to have that effect, plus you'll have better rest and recovery along the way which means more gains from the rides/training.

I found a protein drink made with milk before sleeping helped, also dozing off on the sofa shortly after a ride to get some sleep when you can if expecting to have a lighter sleep night due to a hard ride. Plus good food that aids recovery eaten immediately after the ride. Or do it all again the next day and wear yourself out so that by Sunday night sleep is unavoidable : )

Sex. Have sex. Then sleep.

This ^^^

Sex after a ride would result in my ride passes being rationed to once every other month 😕