Lost my cycling mojo

jober

Been cycling many a year now clocking up plenty kms and taking part in numerous sportives. Clocked up 10,000 kms last year and the years before. Going out on the bike any opportunity I got, be it rain,wind and snow. But this year I just can't seem ta get myself going.this year since about Feb I just can't seem to get motivated.. has anyone gone through this .. new bike maybe 🖒

Borderfox

Mountain bike or cyclocross?

07Lapierre

New bike! Definitely!

Harrybelafonte

jober wrote: »

Been cycling many a year now clocking up plenty kms and taking part in numerous sportives. Clocked up 10,000 kms last year and the years before. Going out on the bike any opportunity I got, be it rain,wind and snow. But this year I just can't seem ta get myself going.this year since about Feb I just can't seem to get motivated.. has anyone gone through this .. new bike maybe 🖒

Yes. Best thing is to walk away from it for awhile. Concentrate on something different for fitness for awhile. Give it a few weeks, then go out for a spin and see how you feel. Another bike-related discipline may help, but I found it best to make a clean break for awhile. In saying that, I’ve always had an interest in multiple other activities so I concentrated on gym, swimming and running, so if you’re a bike only person, a new mtb and some time in the hills may be the cure, rather than starting fresh with something else.

secman

jober wrote: »

Been cycling many a year now clocking up plenty kms and taking part in numerous sportives. Clocked up 10,000 kms last year and the years before. Going out on the bike any opportunity I got, be it rain,wind and snow. But this year I just can't seem ta get myself going.this year since about Feb I just can't seem to get motivated.. has anyone gone through this .. new bike maybe 🖒

Seems you have taken a break from it somewhat. Did you always ride solo ? I know myself that riding solo can bring it's own problems, no set time to meet and constantly putting back the time and generally procrastinating. I'm at it today already , have put off an early spin, need to be in Lucan at 10 :30 , grandsons footy, now I'm planning for 2 o'clock as it's dark around 4 :30 pm.. you fairly liked the hills too if I remember correctly. What avg were you when you were going well ?

Seaswimmer

What about trying the bike for routine stuff (commuting, shopping, visiting, socializing). No point beating yourself up over 100kms every weekend if you are not enjoying it.

not an ideal time of the year but a lot to be said for packing up a light saddlebag and heading off for a few days or even a night when the good weather comes again. You can forget the simple joys of cycling in the constant round of bashing out miles and looking at the computer.

ford2600

jober wrote: »

Been cycling many a year now clocking up plenty kms and taking part in numerous sportives. Clocked up 10,000 kms last year and the years before. Going out on the bike any opportunity I got, be it rain,wind and snow. But this year I just can't seem ta get myself going.this year since about Feb I just can't seem to get motivated.. has anyone gone through this .. new bike maybe ��

10,000km is somewhere between 300-400hrs per year on the bike; not including faff, maintenance, getting gear ready, ordering stuff etc etc. What are you doing with that time? (question for yourself I don't want the answer!)

That's a lot of time to give to a hobby, especially if you don't have a goal in mind like racing/etape/M2M or whatever.

There seems to be an obsession with counting and clocking mileage and comparing with others; which is all well and good when you are on the up but can be counter productive when you have a little dip.

The bike should equal joy/relaxation/adventure and not an odometer competition. There is endless adventure out there if you look for it.

I'm like a child waiting for xmas all week, mapped a route which links up two cul de sac (I still wince when I see those three words together) mountain roads (which are made for bike) by crossing about 2km of farmland. Met the farmer who owns land and he said work away. This is in a valley I know like the back of my hand, yet no one has ever cycled the route we will do tomorrow. There is an infinite number of those routes out there.

The most disingenuous man I ever worked for (for free he worked for charities) had as a motto "of all the roads you choose in life make sure some of them are dirt"

Best of luck and hope you get back on bike soon

D13exile

We all lose interest in the things that once meant so much to us, but enough about my ex wife! Is it just boredom with the bike or is it something else going on in your life like work or family related stress? Get your head straight first before you try to force your way back onto a bike. Buying a new bike might just be a temporary fix that'll soon wear off and you'll end up even more depressed at having spent thousands on a new bike that you have no interest in riding. Alternatively, do what I did and ditch the constant monitoring of your speed and distance (Strava has a lot to answer for as its an electronic whip on your back to constantly go further and faster) and just go out for a spin with no set route in mind and enjoy the fresh air, the scenery and just being able to ride your bike. Sometimes I leave my carbon fibre steed behind and just go out on my 17 year old heavy steel mountain bike and cycle the roads that are a little rough for my road bike. Yes I go slower and I don't go as far but it's damn relaxing and I find it a nice break from that urge to pedal fast on the light weight road bike.

Cycling, like any other form of leisure activity should be enjoyable. If you don't enjoy it, why do it? Forcing yourself will only make you resent it. I'd suggest you take a look at your life as a whole and see if there's a deep seated reason why you've lost your mojo? For me, it was the divorce, money issues and the search for a new house. I stopped cycling for months but eased my way back in and now I'm enjoying it more than ever, especially without Strava on my back! Best of luck mate.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I was the same last year and bought a MTB (29er) and explores the myriad of back roads around my local area. It’s fantastic and far more relaxing and enjoyable. I used it exclusively from late Sept till April. My spins were only 20-30km two or three times a week but it was plenty to keep fitness levels from dropping too much and so enjoyable.

I picked up a near new Cube LTD Race 29er for an absolutely steal (€430) which made it all the more sweeter.

Trekker09

jober wrote: »

Been cycling many a year now clocking up plenty kms and taking part in numerous sportives. Clocked up 10,000 kms last year and the years before. Going out on the bike any opportunity I got, be it rain,wind and snow. But this year I just can't seem ta get myself going.this year since about Feb I just can't seem to get motivated.. has anyone gone through this .. new bike maybe ��

Brilliant post as I am exactly the same, just can't get motivated at all. The irony is that when I do go out I love it.

marvin80

This time of year it's hard to stay motivated especially with the weather and shorter days.
I know myself I aimed for a few sportives and goals and having reached them I've nothing to aim for over the winter so I'm just going out on gentle cycles and mixing it up a little by cycling on canals, greenways etc..

I'm going to take a break off the bike for a few weeks soon and do some other activities to keep me ticking over.

Macy0161

Not for as long but skipped a few long spins for no real good reason a few weeks back. Dug out the old hard tail and n+1 probably going to be a mtb, as the hard tail is fecked as I enjoyed it so much. My head's definitely also been turned by the thoughts of gravel riding and the likes of the weevil.

I do enjoy getting out on the road, and am confident on them too, but definitely something to be said to get away from motorists and switching off a bit more.

mi16

I'll to echo the other posters in recommending something different - ie MTB or cyclocross.

This time last year I picked up a second-hand hardtail and have gotten great enjoyment out of getting out on days where the road bike would just be miserable. Admittedly, i'm not a huge fan of cycling the road bike in wet/greasy conditions so the MTB is ideal to fill that gap. I generally try to set off from home on each spin (as apposed to throwing the bike on the car and driving out to Wicklow). It's hard to beat cycling up to Ticknock for a few hours and then cycling back.

rushfan

Trekker09 wrote:

Brilliant post as I am exactly the same, just can't get motivated at all. The irony is that when I do go out I love it.

I always find it that little bit harder this time of the year, especially when you get that first truly raw morning. Sometimes I end up doing stupid stuff around the house, putting it off til later, etc, usually on a day off when I have hours. That said, I'm always more than satisfied post cycle which really makes it for me.

secman

I think cyclists are ace procrastinators especially Billy No Mate riders

Chumpski

You got some good advice above. I would agree with most of what i read here.

This happens to most people at one time or another. Its totally OK to feel burned out from it and its healthy to stop for a while if that happens to focus on other things. If you are ready to get back on the bike then I'd suggest also:

• Doing a little on the bike, even 30 minute spins has some benefit. Start off small again and build up. Commuting is great to maintain or build fitness and get you to work (if possible).
• Set a goal or some achievable event to aim for, for early next year.
• Go for a coffee spin in a few weeks with some buddies when you are able to ride for 1.5 hours or more. Nothing like an enjoyable spin and chat.

greenspurs

Me too.....
Went out 1 time in the last 4 months...
Have gotten the gear ready some many times to "go for a spin in the morning" ...... gear stayed where it was left.
I posted months ago about whether it was worth going out on the roads after a couple of near misses, and i have to admit, i am actually scared to go on the roads.
The one spin i went on 3 weeks ago, resulted in a Milk tanker trying to squash me at a roundabout....

terrydel

Seaswimmer wrote: »

What about trying the bike for routine stuff (commuting, shopping, visiting, socializing). No point beating yourself up over 100kms every weekend if you are not enjoying it.

not an ideal time of the year but a lot to be said for packing up a light saddlebag and heading off for a few days or even a night when the good weather comes again. You can forget the simple joys of cycling in the constant round of bashing out miles and looking at the computer.

The absolute obsession some have with reaching an arbitrary number of kms each year is a bit sad and cant be good for mental health, it just becomes an unhealthy obsession.

terrydel

Heres an idea, throw the bike computer away (if you use one), ditch strava and just cycle for the sake of it. Forget data and stats, to be honest for most of us, anything beyond the basic, high level stuff is a waste of our time.
Just go out and cycle, forget the rest. Stop somewhere nice, relax for an hour and indulge yourself. Bring a book or some music.

terrydel

ford2600 wrote: »

10,000km is somewhere between 300-400hrs per year on the bike; not including faff, maintenance, getting gear ready, ordering stuff etc etc. What are you doing with that time? (question for yourself I don't want the answer!)

That's a lot of time to give to a hobby, especially if you don't have a goal in mind like racing/etape/M2M or whatever.

There seems to be an obsession with counting and clocking mileage and comparing with others; which is all well and good when you are on the up but can be counter productive when you have a little dip.

The bike should equal joy/relaxation/adventure and not an odometer competition. There is endless adventure out there if you look for it.

I'm like a child waiting for xmas all week, mapped a route which links up two cul de sac (I still wince when I see those three words together) mountain roads (which are made for bike) by crossing about 2km of farmland. Met the farmer who owns land and he said work away. This is in a valley I know like the back of my hand, yet no one has ever cycled the route we will do tomorrow. There is an infinite number of those routes out there.

The most disingenuous man I ever worked for (for free he worked for charities) had as a motto "of all the roads you choose in life make sure some of them are dirt"

Best of luck and hope you get back on bike soon

Quality over quantity, just flogging yourself to beat last years number or someone else's is a waste of time.

jober

Cheers for all the advise and words of wisdom.

Think I'll just right this year off and start fresh in the new year
I commute 15km each way so at least that will maintain some fitness
I have been hoping to m2m so think I'll set that as a goal for next summer to get myself motivated again

I do use Strava but Im not bothered by the whole avg speed as I wouldn't be particularly fast and have no real desire to get faster. I do like to know distances mainly for if I sign up for a sportive i know I'll be capable of completing the event