What keeps you interested?

rosa.michelle

Many of us start packed with a lot of enthusiasm but end distracted on the way. We don’t feel as passionate towards achieving our set targets. We have to push and drag ourselves to work further, and no longer enjoy it the way we used to.
Have you ever experienced a similar situation? Any suggestions to overcome this?

MajesticDonkey

I find it's the times you really don't feel like going out that you should go out. I then feel far better when I come back, and I'm glad I went.

If you're not in a club, I'd suggest joining one. It does help keep your interest, and I feel it "makes" you go.

Raam

Buy new stuff.

on_the_nickel

Having more energy.
Having a clear head.
The feeling in your legs about an hour after a ride.
Wanting to eat healthier before and after cycles, and at other times, being able to eat cakes, crisps and drink beer without feeling guilty.
strava.com
The countryside, views, scenery.
A nice descent.
Tailwinds.
Stupid tan-lines.
The company.
My bike.

petethedrummer

I like cycling for the sake of it. I don't need an upcoming race, sportive or weight loss to motivate me to go out for a spin.

If you don't like it anymore, take a break. Find something new. You might come back to it with renewed interest and you might not.

Diarmuid

Racing.
And cycling around Wicklow on a sunny day

VanhireBoys

"Racing is Life - Everthing else is just Waiting" Steve Mc Queen - LeMans

jaqian

we all get slumps maybe because of the weather or whatever. you don't have to join a club as there are plenty of ppl here always looking for an excuse to cycle (see the "People to cycle with..." thread. I like doing sportives but its something I've only gotten into although I already loved long cycles going to Carlow and back once.

What kind of bike do you have and what kind of cycling do you like to do?

Try making bets with yourself eg I cycled so much last week Im going to beat it this week or beat my speed on this stretch of road (check out Strava). I'm trying to lose weight but I found that if I didn't track how much I was doing I could easily lose momentum etc. Now I try and reach a basic mileage and try to up it.

Lumen

https://www.google.ie/search?q=%22Many+of+us+start+packed+with+a+lot+of+enthusiasm%22

Jawgap

Raam wrote: »

Buy new stuff.

Buy expensive new stuff - nothing like the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you see a pricey bit of kit sitting idle when you know you've no real excuse for not being out!

Wishbone Ash

STRAVA

Tonyandthewhale

Sell your car. Obviously I love cycling just for the sake of it but since I have no car and no really viable public transport options where I'm living right now I have no choice but to be interested in cycling.

Mixing it up a little helps too. When I don't feel like heading out on the road bike I go mountain biking. When I want something a little bit more relaxed I break out the touring bike.

Ryder

Lumen wrote: »

https://www.google.ie/search?q=%22Many+of+us+start+packed+with+a+lot+of+enthusiasm%22

I feel cheated.....

manwithaplan

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

Seweryn

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

STRAVA

What is it? I saw some links to maps with that name in the link, but I would appreciate more details.

Raam

Seweryn wrote: »

What is it? I saw some links to maps with that name in the link, but I would appreciate more details.

http://www.strava.com/how-it-works

Seweryn

Tonyandthewhale wrote: »

Sell your car. Obviously I love cycling just for the sake of it but since I have no car and no really viable public transport options where I'm living right now I have no choice but to be interested in cycling.

I did the same. Well, I still own a car, but because it is shared, I only use the car few times per month.
If you like cycling, you will look forward to every ride.

Seweryn

Raam wrote: »

http://www.strava.com/how-it-works

Very nice, thanks. But you have to own some sort of Smerphone or a GPS Unit as far as I can see, and I have got none of these...

Raam

Seweryn wrote: »

Very nice, thanks. But you have to own some sort of Smerphone or a GPS Unit as far as I can see, and I have got none of these...

Now you know what to ask Santy for

Seweryn

Raam wrote: »

Now you know what to ask Santy for

I used to have a hand held GPS unit. I think I would prefer it to anything for its ruggedness and waterproofing, but it was a bulky item. The watch looks interesting also and it is small. Not a big fan of Smerphones, still like my 13-year old N7110.

Raam

I use this. It's waterproof.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10885&ra=true

There are other newer bike options.

Doctor Bob

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

Cookie_Monster

Doctor Bob wrote: »

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

funny, I don't seem to ever get demotivated about drinking pints, even though I repeat that pretty frequently

Hermy

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

funny, I don't seem to ever get demotivated about drinking pints, even though I repeat that pretty frequently

You're obviously not drinking enough!

rosa.michelle

Decryptor wrote: »

I find it's the times you really don't feel like going out that you should go out. I then feel far better when I come back, and I'm glad I went.

If you're not in a club, I'd suggest joining one. It does help keep your interest, and I feel it "makes" you go.

I tried it many times, but I can't make it up!:(

rosa.michelle

Raam wrote: »

Buy new stuff.

I hope that will work

rosa.michelle

on_the_nickel wrote: »

Having more energy.
Having a clear head.
The feeling in your legs about an hour after a ride.
Wanting to eat healthier before and after cycles, and at other times, being able to eat cakes, crisps and drink beer without feeling guilty.
strava.com
The countryside, views, scenery.
A nice descent.
Tailwinds.
Stupid tan-lines.
The company.
My bike.

Thanks for all the list.. :pac:

rosa.michelle

jaqian wrote: »

we all get slumps maybe because of the weather or whatever. you don't have to join a club as there are plenty of ppl here always looking for an excuse to cycle (see the "People to cycle with..." thread. I like doing sportives but its something I've only gotten into although I already loved long cycles going to Carlow and back once.

What kind of bike do you have and what kind of cycling do you like to do?

Try making bets with yourself eg I cycled so much last week Im going to beat it this week or beat my speed on this stretch of road (check out Strava). I'm trying to lose weight but I found that if I didn't track how much I was doing I could easily lose momentum etc. Now I try and reach a basic mileage and try to up it.

I personally can't continue with a club. However I never tried betting myself I would try that!

rosa.michelle

Tonyandthewhale wrote: »

Sell your car. Obviously I love cycling just for the sake of it but since I have no car and no really viable public transport options where I'm living right now I have no choice but to be interested in cycling.

Mixing it up a little helps too. When I don't feel like heading out on the road bike I go mountain biking. When I want something a little bit more relaxed I break out the touring bike.

I don't really think I have the guts to sell my car :cool: I will die of heart break
However the second suggestion is really practical..

rosa.michelle

Doctor Bob wrote: »

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

That is the number one cause. I bet it is.

Lusk Doyle

manwithaplan wrote: »

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

Doctor Bob wrote: »

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

Is there some sort of ironic echo going on in here?

Plastik

Strava.

Hmmzis

When you feel like having a slump check if people at work are sneezing or coughing more than usual. It could be just a virus making its rounds and making you weaker too.

Just take it easy on the bike, try to stay more in the cardio and aerobic zones. Even if you feel like crap and you do go out, after about 15-20min on the bike you should start feeling better.

Bit of caution with strava though. A visit to a physio might be a good idea before you start using it. Just tell the physio that you are about to take up cycle racing and are wondering if the quads and knees are up for it. I did it the other way round and after 3 months of physio the left knee is still a bit iffy.

jaqian

Hmmzis wrote: »

When you feel like having a slump check if people at work are sneezing or coughing more than usual. It could be just a virus making its rounds and making you weaker too.

Another thing that affects motivation is lack of sleep and weakens your system and leaves you open to colds etc.

regarding Strava - if you only cycle less than 100km (battery life is a problem above that) and feel like an upgrade you can pick up a smartphone from around 60€. Strava itself is free.

anyway as someone said on Boards... you might regret eating or drinking but you'll never regret doing exercise :-)

wendell borton

At the moment finding it hard to get motivated to get out on the bike with the crap weahter. Havent been on it since the ROK, i think i'll have to sign up for another sportive to have something to aim for.

Kav0777

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

manwithaplan

Many of us start packed with a lot of enthusiasm but end distracted on the way. We don’t feel as passionate towards achieving our set targets. We have to push and drag ourselves to work further, and no longer enjoy it the way we used to.
Have you ever experienced a similar situation? Any suggestions to overcome this?

Kav0777

manwithaplan wrote: »

Many of us start packed with a lot of enthusiasm but end distracted on the way. We don’t feel as passionate towards achieving our set targets. We have to push and drag ourselves to work further, and no longer enjoy it the way we used to.
Have you ever experienced a similar situation? Any suggestions to overcome this?

Strava

manwithaplan

Kav0777 wrote: »

Strava

What is it?

petethedrummer

Kav0777 wrote: »

It's doing the same thing repeatedly that saps motivation.

You can say that again.

Kav0777

petethedrummer wrote: »

You can say that again.

I would but I don't seem to have the motivation.

dited

Kav0777 wrote: »

I would but I don't seem to have the motivation.

How come?

rosa.michelle

Hmmzis wrote: »

When you feel like having a slump check if people at work are sneezing or coughing more than usual. It could be just a virus making its rounds and making you weaker too.

Just take it easy on the bike, try to stay more in the cardio and aerobic zones. Even if you feel like crap and you do go out, after about 15-20min on the bike you should start feeling better.

Bit of caution with strava though. A visit to a physio might be a good idea before you start using it. Just tell the physio that you are about to take up cycle racing and are wondering if the quads and knees are up for it. I did it the other way round and after 3 months of physio the left knee is still a bit iffy.

I was also thinking of an appointment with physio before attempting anything like that.

rosa.michelle

I tried betting myself that I will beat my own high score this weekend... Ah.. Failed, drastically!!!

Icyseanfitz

strava, new gear, mixing it up with a bit of xc and dh mtbing and most importantly.....nice fecking weather went for a 70k today only to turn around after 17k because the weather got too dangerous (winds and mist)

hardCopy

Hmmzis wrote: »

When you feel like having a slump check if people at work are sneezing or coughing more than usual. It could be just a virus making its rounds and making you weaker too.

Just take it easy on the bike, try to stay more in the cardio and aerobic zones. Even if you feel like crap and you do go out, after about 15-20min on the bike you should start feeling better.

Bit of caution with strava though. A visit to a physio might be a good idea before you start using it. Just tell the physio that you are about to take up cycle racing and are wondering if the quads and knees are up for it. I did it the other way round and after 3 months of physio the left knee is still a bit iffy.

Just sue Strava for the cost of said physio.

GT_TDI_150

Im cycling to loose weight and try to get fit again, but deffo STRAVA

When u have a few collegues following you on it, the drive not to give in becomes much greater

Seweryn

Raam wrote: »

I use this. It's waterproof.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10885&ra=true

There are other newer bike options.

Just regarding these Strava devices.... As I mentioned before, I have no Smerphone or Eye Pad, but I found my old Communicator at home. Would this work as a Strava device? It does have a GPS Unit built in for sure, because I used to use maps on that unit.
Here is the specification of the unit. Does anybody have any experience with that phone and would this work with Strava?

lochdara

Im back into cycling after a long break.. gonna buy me a hybrid soon but at the moment Im on a Trek mtb. Im cycling cause i like it. I dont see me racing but rather touring. I like to take the off roads and see where it leads me, almost into a ditch this morning but thats the fun.
Im a amateur photographer so I bring my camera with me because ya never know.

I use strava only to analysis where i have been cause when i am there i dont always know where i am and if i like it plan another route back. I like my cycle routes to be in a circle and not the same road out and back.

alexanderomahon

Struggling myself. I set myself a distance goal a year ago and I achieved it. Now finding it hard to get out.

ccull123

The pain cycling up a hill and the sense of achievement after!!

Cycling up I often say "what the f#%k am I at. I could be in bed now". When I get to the top I wanna do it again:)