tired of riding

[39cross]

After three years of riding consistently, with a week off here and there for injuries and bad weather, I got tired of it all come this past October - just lost interest. And then in November after I set up a bike on the trainer, I got sick. Still couldn't get motivated for a while after getting better. But then the desire to spin returned. So after two months off, I dusted off the trainer and finally rode again the past two evenings. It was good. If the weather holds up this weekend I'll hit the roads again.

Does this ever happen to other people?

[davids]

Yep.

Welcome back!

[Samster]

can't speak for the world but it's happened to me. one time i ended up taking a 10+ year break.

now i try to be more balanced. i try not to ride when i don't want to. it's supposed to be fun, ya know.

like davids said: welcome back.

[gt6267a]

sometimes variety is the spice of life. i got very tired of my road bike and picked up a mtn bike. i have been loving the mtn bike for many months, but lately have been feeling a pull to get out on the road.... no worries about losing interest, it comes and goes.

[Jeff N.]

Can't imagine not riding, man. It's just become such a routine part of my life now. I'll stop riding when they pry the handlebar from my cold, dead hands. Jeff N.

[znfdl]

R:

Yes this happens to most people. You need to do periodic training rather than constant training. My training schedule for this year has me taking a one week break every couple of months.

PS: The Ti does not like to sit for too long ;)

[Bruce K]

I wondered where you went! ;)

BK

[tch]

I think you need to get off the bike.
This is something I've posted about before. It's one of the advantages of living in the North where you can reasonably say that the weather won't let you ride (I know, you can force it, but that's not my point).
I downhill and x-c ski in the winter, and every November/December am itching to get back on the boards -- and every April I'm itching to get back on my bike. In this alternating seasons way of life, I manage to keep my athletic pursuits fresh and engaging. Summer on the bike; winter on the skis. I have new/different activity, perpetual room for improvement, and thus engagement.

[Dan Le foot]

Does this ever happen to other people?
It does to me too.
But I can't be off the bike too long since I have a pint a night ice cream habit
When it happens I get on the MT bike and spin the paved hills and easy dirt trails around the neighborhood for about an hour. Nice to be out of traffic for a change.
But soon I'm ready for the road bike again.
Good luck.
Dan

[Fat Robert]

i need to take a break after the end of a full mesocycle (foundation to preparation to competition). however, my breaks consist of light cross-training. i usually do one break in May, and then another in september. i'm kind of a freak about training -- i've never had burnout.

when i've tried taking a week or two off completely, i go nuts. i feel more stressed, anxious, irritable, and generally widgie.... when i cross train for a couple of weeks, i feel enthusiastic about getting back on the bike....

[bironi]

i need to take a break after the end of a full mesocycle (foundation to preparation to competition). however, my breaks consist of light cross-training. i usually do one break in May, and then another in september. i'm kind of a freak about training -- i've never had burnout.

when i've tried taking a week or two off completely, i go nuts. i feel more stressed, anxious, irritable, and generally widgie.... when i cross train for a couple of weeks, i feel enthusiastic about getting back on the bike....

widgie? Please define. Is this a southern term? :beer:

[SponsorsWanted]

Man I feel you, I've been off the bike for a bit because of school and a wreck and a bunch of other crap. What got me back into riding was converting my Dad's 1974 Motobecane Le Champion in silverlilac into a fixed and riding around campus smiling at pretty girls.

[Climb01742]

it's why i like cross-training, or perhaps more accurately, just doing different stuff athletically. our minds need variety as much, if not more, than our bodies.

[Fat Robert]

"widge" and its variants come from iris, the golden retriever

she gets, as we say, "widgie." she has widge-outs. she can be a widge-nut. a widge-head.

widge-outs involve lots of highly animated, often ball-or-squeeze-toy-related random activity. underwear, socks, blankets, or small bits of newspaper may also be used as a substitute for the ball or toy.

therefore, to "widge" is to express the need for rigorous physical exertion, usually by exerting one's self in a unpredictable, playfully anxious manner. it can be cured by a game of fetch or by a good ride, depending on your species.

[Serpico]

I took a 13 year sabbatical... got fat... etc

can't speak for the world but it's happened to me. one time i ended up taking a 10+ year break.

now i try to be more balanced. i try not to ride when i don't want to. it's supposed to be fun, ya know.

like davids said: welcome back.

[Bruce K]

My variety during "the season" is to do our clubs TT's and switch to a fair amount of cross after Labor Day.

I have sold all but my oldest hardtail MTB with the most basic fork as I just don't do thta kind of riding any more.

I also try to vary my rides to include groups of different speeds, ages, interests, etc., some rides with just 1 or 2 freinds like 39cross, Zanc, etc., and some solo rides both casual and intense.

These days it's spinning (3-4 per week) and Pilates (2X per week) broken up with the odd outdoor weekend ride.

So far, I'm still interested/enthused about it all.

BK

[spiderman]

i hear you...
i've been riding every day for three years.
i'm ten miles short of 10k for the year.
the weather was 'dangerous' monday and tuesday
and now after not riding for 2 days
i'm getting hammered by this influenza virus that's going around...
i feel sick.
i feel tired.
i even feel tired of riding...
...how fragile i seem...
...how fragile i am...
too bad i didn't take a full course of tamiflu!

[cpg]

I haven't been off the bike for more than a week in over 20 years. I don't burn out or maybe I'm already burned out? I almost stopped riding when I stopped racing but I just started taking it all less seriously. The biking world is full of ex racers that get gave up riding completely. I didn't want that to happen. When I got older and didn't have time to train as much as I wanted I felt like quitting because I was slower than when in racing shape. I realized that to quit was sort of an all or nothing mentality. I didn't want that to happen. Riding is a part of me. Maybe even an expression of self. Welcome back. Keep it fresh. Life is too short to stop riding.

Curt

[Grant McLean]

I haven't been off the bike for more than a week in over 20 years. I don't burn out or maybe I'm already burned out? I almost stopped riding when I stopped racing but I just started taking it all less seriously. The biking world is full of ex racers that get gave up riding completely. I didn't want that to happen. When I got older and didn't have time to train as much as I wanted I felt like quitting because I was slower than when in racing shape. I realized that to quit was sort of an all or nothing mentality. I didn't want that to happen. Riding is a part of me. Maybe even an expression of self. Welcome back. Keep it fresh. Life is too short to stop riding.

Curt

:)
I haven't been off the bike for more than a week in over 20 years. I don't burn out or maybe I'm already burned out? I almost stopped riding when I stopped racing but I just started taking it all less seriously. The biking world is full of ex racers that get gave up riding completely. I didn't want that to happen. When I got older and didn't have time to train as much as I wanted I felt like quitting because I was slower than when in racing shape. I realized that to quit was sort of an all or nothing mentality. I didn't want that to happen. Riding is a part of me. Maybe even an expression of self. Welcome back. Keep it fresh. Life is too short to stop riding.

g

[Ray]

I get sick of riding every October, like clockwork. Sometimes it'll happen in July for a while too, when I've had a good spring and it just gets toooooo friggin' HOT, I might take a week or two off. But in October, when it hits, I just give into it completely - fighting it just makes it worse. I'll go 2-3 weeks without even touching the bike (except maybe the townie for a mile or two to do some errands, but that's different - it's just faster than walking) and then ease back into as the spirit moves me. I usually have some great rides in November and, when the weather holds out, December - just got back from a high vertical 35 mile route I've recently strung together and really enjoy. Ride when I can in January and February, which usually isn't much, and then I'm really itching to get back to it in March.

You don't want to let cycling become something you hate, so do it when you want to. Nobody's obligated to ride a lot except sponsored pros. We aren't them.

-Ray

[orbea65]

along the same sort of topic...
are there any good online programs that are good for tracking your training? Something to make training a little more interesting? I'm not looking for Carmichael Coaching, etc., just something to make it a bit more fun/interesting.
thanks!

[znfdl]

along the same sort of topic...
are there any good online programs that are good for tracking your training? Something to make training a little more interesting? I'm not looking for Carmichael Coaching, etc., just something to make it a bit more fun/interesting.
thanks!

I would get a Garmin 305 and use the TrainingPeaks WKO software.

[cpg]

:)
I haven't been off the bike for more than a week in over 20 years. I don't burn out or maybe I'm already burned out? I almost stopped riding when I stopped racing but I just started taking it all less seriously. The biking world is full of ex racers that get gave up riding completely. I didn't want that to happen. When I got older and didn't have time to train as much as I wanted I felt like quitting because I was slower than when in racing shape. I realized that to quit was sort of an all or nothing mentality. I didn't want that to happen. Riding is a part of me. Maybe even an expression of self. Welcome back. Keep it fresh. Life is too short to stop riding.

g

Are you mockin' me Toronto boy toy? :)

Curt

[AgilisMerlin]

i work and take care of my two young children.

i am forced to take a break. Not much, but enough. i rode 1/2 hour this morning before walking into work. Short but sweet.






AmerliN

[nobrakes]

I share your pain. Only from a different perspective of a cyclist who was badly injured, and can't wait to get back to some semblance of how I was before the crash.

I've been burnt out before, but all it takes for me is one trip to one of the many gambling casinos for a look-see of how it could be. Observe through the haze of cigarette smoke the fitness and general unhealthiness this kind of lifestyle results in. Stand in line at the all-you-can-eat buffet, marvel at the deep-fried meat stuff before you that is clogging the arteries of the non-exercising majority. Oh my!

This is all it takes for me to realize that cycling isn't all that bad. Just take it down a notch or two, and enjoy.

[fiamme red]

I ride for exercise and recreation, but most of the time I ride for transportation (I don't own a car). So I'm on my bike seven days a week, most weeks of the year. Sure, there are days when it's pouring or the roads are full of ice and slush and I'd rather not ride, but once I'm on my bike I'm happy.

[39cross]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experience, it really cheers me up. I think I may have the same thing going on as Ray, seems like October is a tough month each year. Then I got the flu in November, so I feel for you Spiderman.

Side note: this is really a great place to hang out...thanks to the forum I had the opportunity to ride this year with Zndfl and Bruce_K. I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike and having fun in 2007.

Cheers to all, and I hope 2006 has been good to you.

[Grant McLean]

Are you mockin' me Toronto boy toy? :)

Curt

no way, i could have written the same post,
it just seemed easier that way!

g

[rwsaunders]

Find some riding buddies and schedule your rides, if your family is not into it. The miles and the coffee go down a lot easier with good company.

It also helps to sign up in advance for events such as the local MS150 and similar charity rides. That way, since you know that you need to prep for the event, you're more likely to log in saddle time. A new bike always helps too..........

[vaxn8r]

I never tire of riding. I can't do it everyday but if I could I probably would. By "can't" I mean work and family commitments. Sometimes riding has to lose out. This year I got bronchitis in the winter which kept me off the bike a few weeks and then later a trip to Spain and then a trip to Yellowstone. Those were my only weeks off the bike and that's a lot more than I usually take off.

I can't get enough of anything to do with bikes. I go into the bike shop at least every 2 weeks but usually lots more. I know everything in there and notice right away when they get something new. I love to visit shops when I travel as well.

[swoop]

6 days a week, sometimes 7. a week off around christmas, and two at the end of the season.
it is my happiness. on my worst days i'm intoxicated with the idea that i have the good health that allows me to ride. it's been my escape, my playground, my meditation, and a part of my center for 20 years. it's central. it's part of how i developed a good rapport with this huge city (LA). and it's the well- spring for most of my closest friendships (the diversity of people it's brought to me is amazing).
and when i am tired of it, it's because i am tired. so i rest.

i've been doing all my base miles alone... it's been tough. but at it's worst it's been amazing. and when it's too much, i go out and ride to play.

i was off the bike for three years in grad school.
*getting new bikes every year helps keep things fresh

[Hardlyrob]

I got back on the bike this summer for the first time in four years. Bought an old house that needed tons of work, intense work travel yadda yadda yadda. I managed to get about 1,200 miles in, which I realize is about a month's worth for some of you like Swoop.

What was always surprising to me was that on days I didn't really feel like riding, but went out anyway - I was ALWAYS glad I did the ride.

As others have said, the fall is difficult - it seems like life ramps up, and I get a bit tired of the bike. This year I built a new to me bike which helped spur the interest.

Rob

[OldDog]

What was always surprising to me was that on days I didn't really feel like riding, but went out anyway - I was ALWAYS glad I did the ride.


Ditto. Though no longer suprising, I know that even if I am in no mood to ride, I never regret having gone out if even for a short bit around the block (my block is 8 miles around!).

[LOTUS]

I'm a runner ,so cycling is always a fun and exciting break from my running rountine.

[learlove]

I took a 13 year sabbatical... got fat... etc

me too, quit in sept 1993 when i went to college and didn't get back on the bike until June 2004. So sorry I ever did that. In that time i gained just over 8 pounds per year. 1993 I was 175 and in 2003 I was 270.

To beat the riding blues:

buy a road bike, mtb bike, cross bike and track bike. depending on the wx and my sked I'll switch it up and in the spring/summer hit the track (t-town) about 3 times/month. You guys need to build a track up there in Mass.