Taking breaks on long rides

I don't think there is much harm in taking breaks on longer rides.  Depends what your goal is.  I typically don't take breaks unless I'm going to be riding 3 or more hours.  In which case, I'll plan a break around a little over half way, hopefully somewhere near a restroom and water supply so I can unload, refill, and have a quick bite to eat of the sandwich I brought with.

I would say even a 15 minute break in the middle of a real long ride probably will have no ill effects on training.  If you're stopping for 5 minutes every 30 minutes, you might be losing some of the benefits of the endurance training, but even then it's not like you're taking an hour off every 30 minutes.

We always take breaks on our long rides.  Usually every couple of hours.  Hop off, stretch, pee, etc.

enjoy.

Duane

I'll occasionally take a break on my long (4 hr) rides for the week, but that's about it. Only other time I'll take a break is on a group ride when we gather everyone.

John

Ever ride the IM WI bike course loop?

The only time I stop is to use the restroom or refill bottles.  I don't find the need to stop and stretch, or grab a bite to eat.  This is one of the main reasons I don't group ride here in Okinawa, they seem to like to stop every hour or so and chat chat chat. 

I do long rides to train for long races, I don't stop to chat there either.  I guess that's along the lines as "train as you race."

On long solo rides (>2-3hr) I usu only stop to refill my bottles & (ahem) de-hydrate.  I can carry enough calories for the ride.  On a faster century (<6hr total time) I prefer NOT to stop for >5min.  Too long a stop & my muscles start to tighten/cool so I need to warm-up again (PITA).

That said, on long group rides I'll stop with the group which is typically every 90min-2hr.  But most times between taking pulls & a few sprints I'm ready for a break.

Not sure I've noticed that taking short breaks during long training rides lessens the conditioning value of the ride.

I think it very much depends on your level of experience, and what you're trying to achieve with the longer ride. If you're aiming for targeted race prep for a HIM or IM, then you'll want to simulate the race situation. But if you're just trying to get the legs, butt, arms, digestive system etc. accustomed to going for many hours, or if you're simply aiming for a (gasp) nice long ride, then don't feel guilty about taking short breaks. 

I do most of my riding as structured workouts on the trainer, so when I get outside for a longer 3-6 hour ride I generally take a few minutes every 50-90 minutes to refuel. It doesn't seem to prevent the legs from feeling the strain of the long ride. And I enjoy it. But I have no IM ambitions, and my longest bike events are gran fondo style or untimed century/challenge rides, so this type of long ride works just fine for me.

This.

You get off to pee, but not poo, right?

*wondering if I should find that thread and pic?*

Oh, that drives me bananas on long rides!  When I stop to refill water I get in and out of the place as quick as possible...water....potty....trash....throw food in mouth...back on bike.  5 minutes MAX unless there is a line for the cash register.  When I go on group rides they spend FOREVER at gas stations!

I like to train as close to how I'll race as possible.  You aren't going to spend 15-20 minutes chit chatting at a gas station during a race.  So I only stop when I absolutely have to for water or bathroom breaks.  If I could find someone to stand around and do bottle exchange for me I would.

I find it even FUNNIER that people who take these long breaks don't include the time in their ride and the long breaks allow them to go faster inbetween so they are SO PROUD of their fast time...that included 1 hour of standing around...just sayin'.

I'm one for quick stops and only when necessary. Another reason I don't do group rides.