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Man...I used to hate soccer. Work out 5 days a week. Take weekends off. At my age I figure it does't hurt for the riding aspect...as well as the other stuff already mentioned. Did I mention I love soccer?
I get a lot of exercise at work. Lots of lifting (maybe things I shouldn't), bending, twisting, kind of a contortionist thing. Wyoming is like a big *** wind tunnel so when I'm riding in it I need more balance than I do strength. I don't know anyone who can bench 800 lbs anyway.
very short reply is don't work out for short rides say of less than 400 miles.
but I do work out with specific exercises for long multi day in the saddle rides of say 2000, 3000 to 4000 miles. Including throwing my Ultra around on the Dragon 129. Planning a 4000 to 5000 mile trip in July to the Rockies then hang out in Sturgis to drink some beer at the Broken Spoke or Rosco's on Lazell street this summer. At 62, working out and liking it.
I work out during most rides. I'll stop every 50 miles or so and lift 16 ozs. a few times with my right arm , then do the same with my left arm. After a few reps I'll take a brisk walk to the mens room, then a brisk walk back to the bar and start all over again. My Idea of six-packs are more then likely not the same as the pretty boys. (: (:
I stopped going to the gym about a year and a half ago. I had shoulder surgery and had issue afterwards. But I am slowly getting back into the habit. I'm finally tired of feeling tired and sore most of the time. When I was working out I felt great.
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I wish I could. I have way too many surgeries (back 4X, shoulders, knee, heart) and screwed up body parts to work out. I try to walk as much as possible. I do have to say that I have ridden a lot of long days through the years and never really felt all that beat up. Fatigue yes, but beat up no. My wife and I are in our late 50s and just did 3000 miles about 6 months ago. We did about 450 miles a day and it was great.
I have done 600-ish miles at 80MPH and not been sore the next day.
The only "work out" you might consider I do is woodworking with hand-tools only. Hand-ripping an 8/4, 6' long piece of hickory is a good 15 to 20 minute cardio workout, I guess. *shrug* Then hand-planing if down to 7/4.
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