#16
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#17
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I had much more time to train before this and that felt really great, but it basically was about the same amount of time as having a part time job. I never raced so it has always been about fun and seeing how far I can push myself. On long rides especially, Im a sort of slow-bake type as I try to just never let it burn I had been steady putting in a lot of miles for years so getting up to 300K fitness was really just a continuation of that. The year before I surprised myself by completing a 600K which has been my longest brevet ride. I just miss it all and it feels far away but its good to hear that it will most likely come back in the not-so-distant future. |
#18
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You are correct but also I have so many riding buddies here, the scene is quite open and active in Humboldt County. Im super grateful for that and them and that's a big part of why it hurts to not be out there!
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#19
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#20
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I suggest just getting on the bike for 30 minutes. Your speed. Your route. Your time. See what happens. No expectations. |
#21
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I have been riding for 40 years and still going strong. Here are the secrets to my longevity:
1. Variety is the spice of life. Don't fixate or focus on just one or two aspects about cycling, try a bit of everything. Road, gravel, MTB, commuting, foldable bikes, bikepacking, tandem, whatever. 2. Don't just ride solo all the time, try joining a group ride. Don't pigeonhole yourself as a certain type of rider...nobody was born that way, anything can change! 3. Not everything is about performance. Every once in a while, forget about speed, distance, whatever, don't look at your computer. Just ride for fun. 4. Do your own wrenching. You don't have to become a professional mechanic, but you should at least familiarize yourself with the machine that you spend so much time riding on and how it works. Learn some basic maintenance, it will give you a new appreciation. 5. Be a child again. I found cycling while I was a kid. I still remembered the first moments of anxiety mixed in with exhiliaration when I took off riding on my own without training wheels or my dad holding me in the back....it was an incredible feeling. I don't ever want to lose that. Bottomline: too many people pigeonhole themselves into certain category, too focus on performance - when the day comes that they found themselves no longer able to fit that category they have defined for themselves or able to meet the performance goals, they give up and leave the sports. Too bad. It doesn't have to be that way. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Hope this helps.
__________________
🏻* |
#22
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A couple of years ago, I started grabbing a bike and riding around the nabe in whatever I was wearing--just a toodle. Last year I put flats on one bike to facilitate this. This is channeling your inner child... My aim was to reduce start-up "costs" -- the effort to get the full kit on etc -- and just try to make it spontaneous again. (I wished I lived in an area where I could ride somewhere to grab ice cream or coffee-that would make it even better!) A lot of folks on this board have a 'townie' of some description for doing this--it makes riding less of an 'event' (and to use your word, less like "work".) |
#23
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Things come in waves. I used to be VERY into caving (spelunking) and it took me around the world. Then I took up cycling and that was a 15 year jaunt. Before all of that I was sailing. Just yesterday I was thinking about cleaning up the old Laser so I can take her out on the water again for the first time in IDK how many years. So yeah the spark will probably come back. |
#24
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Go see Dead & Co at the Sphere and ask yourself during Shakedown Street
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#25
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As for performance, it is a funny thing because while I have always been into long rides, I never even had a bike computer until a few years ago (im 40 now) and that is when I really started to think about performance. Before if i even cared, I would just time myself on certain routes and do the math to see about how long it took me. It wasn't long before I was logging my rides to the supermarket which in all honesty is a little bit embarrassing. It's wild becuase I rode my bike across the country and I most certainly didnt have a computer then. Or strava or anything like that. And we arent talking about pre-tech either... I used a iPod touch to take pictures and check the map whenever I could get on wifi and also send emails from there. What a glorious time that was. edit: I wanted to add that yes, wrenching is a great way to interface with bikes even when you dont feel like pedaling. Before I moved I spent every saturday at the bike kitchen in Ukiah, CA and then I would do a little ride up Masonite Road to Jacks Point. There is a bike kitchen in Eureka but its a little different vibe and theyre open only on a couple weeknights for a couple hours.. doesnt work for me timewise. I guess I haven't really taken that aspect into account in all this. Last edited by rmhurley; 05-22-2024 at 07:33 PM. Reason: wanted to add something i forgot |
#26
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There’s a lot of good advice in this thread. I’m not sure what I can add, other than lulls are normal. Don’t agonize about it; when you’re ready to ride, you’ll ride. As others have said, try changing things up - shorter ride, new course, new people. I’m just getting back from a two year hiatus myself. The joy is back, but it’s still not translating to enough time on the bike. I decided not to beat myself up about it and just enjoy the time I do spend cycling.
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#27
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I am amazed no one suggested going and talking to your doctor. If your thinking about getting back into riding or training maybe talk to your doctor. They might be able to assess your mental state and suggest blood work.
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