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Motivation to Train is Gone. Any Tips?

  • 23-01-2020 8:09pm
    #1
    mistermatthew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 790 ✭✭✭


    I've been cycling for ten years or so. I'd have been fairly consistent with the mileage. 5-6000km a year. Nothing Crazy. I used to race a bit, club racing, and do a fair few sportifs.

    However in the last 6 months or so the motivation to get out on the bike has kind of died on me. And I'd be lucky to do 150-200km a month. And I'd be forcing myself. I do running/hiking and swimming as well. But cycling had always been my passion. But now these other sports get done as they are so much less time consuming.

    I'd love to rediscover the passion and love I had for it a few years ago. Has anyone else had the same experience? Is it just a matter of taking it as it comes and the passion will come back? Would a break help? Or is there any tips on how to get back into it?


Comments

  • #2
    monkeyslayer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 934 ✭✭✭monkeyslayer


    I prescribe a serious does of n+1 and some goals


  • #3
    JimmiesRustled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 290 ✭✭JimmiesRustled


    mistermatthew wrote: »
    I've been cycling for ten years or so. I'd have been fairly consistent with the mileage. 5-6000km a year. Nothing Crazy. I used to race a bit, club racing, and do a fair few sportifs.

    However in the last 6 months or so the motivation to get out on the bike has kind of died on me. And I'd be lucky to do 150-200km a month. And I'd be forcing myself. I do running/hiking and swimming as well. But cycling had always been my passion. But now these other sports get done as they are so much less time consuming.

    I'd love to rediscover the passion and love I had for it a few years ago. Has anyone else had the same experience? Is it just a matter of taking it as it comes and the passion will come back? Would a break help? Or is there any tips on how to get back into it?

    Maybe if you're solely based on the road look at mixing or tryin some CX, bike packing, gravel or MTB?


  • #4
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,212 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    what JR said. a change is as good as a rest.


  • #5
    mistermatthew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 790 ✭✭✭mistermatthew


    Yeah cheers for feedback. Maybe will try the trails. And getting out with the club more often.


  • #6
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,484 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Gravel.

    But I find it hard to be motivated to head out solo.


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  • #7
    fat bloke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,934 ✭✭✭fat bloke


    You need to get a little grupetto going. Nothing better to get you out than knowing you've a couple of mates will be standing expectantly at a junction in the cold waiting for you. I've been getting out every Saturday morning with the same couple of lads for years now. If it was just me I'd hit that snooze alarm button every time.


  • #8
    EC1000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,336 ✭✭✭EC1000


    Come to the dark side


  • #9
    Mr T.
    Registered Users Posts: 49 ✭Mr T.


    fat bloke wrote: »
    You need to get a little grupetto going. Nothing better to get you out than knowing you've a couple of mates will be standing expectantly at a junction in the cold waiting for you. I've been getting out every Saturday morning with the same couple of lads for years now. If it was just me I'd hit that snooze alarm button every time.

    spot on!


  • #10
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,212 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    just to clarify - is it your motivation specifically to *train*?


  • #11
    sparrowcar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,868 ✭✭✭sparrowcar


    Turn those 5-6000kms into vertical metres on a mtb and problem solved ðŸ˜


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  • #12
    Daroxtar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,353 ✭✭✭Daroxtar


    I had a slump about 2 years ago after spending ages psyched up for a cycling holiday. Came back and didn't have any desire to get out, it took months to find my groove again. A goal to work towards will definitely help but first just cycle somewhere for the enjoyment of being out on the bike.
    Get up early some nice mild morning and head off rambling up the hills, go off up some roads you've not been on before, lost with your own thoughts, no training or targets. Soak up the scenery. Soul cycling.


  • #13
    TGD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭TGD


    To “train” you need a performance goal to train for as motivation. Otherwise perhaps just ride your bike for fun and forget about “training”.


  • #14
    Oberkon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 206 ✭✭Oberkon


    Personally feel when you train all year round , it’s very important to mix it up , particularly in winter .
    I’ve been doing a lot of trails on a gravel bike with a light . It’s a whole other world . It’s only parks and the like but a decent light upfront and it’s easily done . It’s very refreshing,

    My worry would be with the running etc which should be good for the head and a break that you’re still feeling unmotivated.
    Definitely pick a goal if it’s a big sportive ,-away home or a race etc and plan it .

    It’s also worth noting it’s no harm changing sports for a year . Triathletes always seem motivated
    All cycling as much as we love it can be a chore .


  • #15
    eeeee
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,855 Mod ✭✭✭✭eeeee


    Maybe try some different disciplines, meet different groups of people/cyclists. Each discipline has a different scene.

    I really struggle with motivation to go road cycling, I find it incredibly boring.
    Going out with a group is pretty much the only way I can do it now, but I love track and have recently gotten into mtb.
    Track is shorter, harder, extremely varied, more intense and sociable. It's motivating off thre bike too, because of all the gym work (if you get into it).
    I find mtb really engrossing, cos I'm really shyte at it and mainly trying not to fall off too much, but it's really sociable and varied too.


    BMX is on my list to try this year, I just need to make a padded suit...


  • #16
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,176 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Was brought to a coffee shop between Greystones and Bray, which has off road tracks, the ability to rent Fat bikes, what appears to be a mini BMX park (admittedly for kids). Place is called Arthurs, might be a good place to try out a few things.


  • #17
    who_ru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,033 ✭✭✭who_ru


    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.


  • #18
    eeeee
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,855 Mod ✭✭✭✭eeeee


    CramCycle wrote: »
    Was brought to a coffee shop between Greystones and Bray, which has off road tracks, the ability to rent Fat bikes, what appears to be a mini BMX park (admittedly for kids). Place is called Arthurs, might be a good place to try out a few things.

    I went fatbiking in that place, Belmont Demense. It's class. They have e-fatbikes and the y do excellent pizza. I thoroughly recommend. Fatbikes are fun, heavy but fun. When you go really fast on them it's like you're completely out of control. It's like flying on balloons!

    And it's a pump track, I don't know if it's fatbike-able, although I have 0 expertise to make that judgement.


  • #19
    eeeee
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,855 Mod ✭✭✭✭eeeee


    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.

    If you commute by bike, train and race your bike it's not that hard to do. Commuting alone brings me up to 180k a week and that's before I do any proper cycling.


  • #20
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,212 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.
    6k per year is about 40 minutes per day if you average 25km/h.
    or roughly an hour a day, if you limit it to five days a week.
    around the same length of time you'd probably have to commit to playing a round of golf a week, or what someone would commit to training and playing football, etc.


  • #21
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,176 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.
    I do that on commuting alone, if I didn''t have a job, I probably wouldn't.
    eeeee wrote: »
    And it's a pump track, I don't know if it's fatbike-able, although I have 0 expertise to make that judgement.
    I would bring my BMX


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  • #22
    Plastik
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,986 ✭✭✭Plastik


    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.

    When you want to you'll find the way. I'm doing standard 40p/w plus whatever and have been clocking 16-19,000 for the last few years.


  • #23
    buffalo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,095 ✭✭✭buffalo


    Stop training, and get out for a few spins around some nice routes? Off-road might help, but doing something different on the road can be good too - stop for coffee if you don't usually, stick in an earphone with some music, take the train somewhere and cycle back/loop along a scenic route.


  • #24
    8valve
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 976 ✭✭✭8valve


    Back to basics; out on the bike with no bigger goal than to arrive at a nice coffee shop for a treat.

    Ride for fun. Not as a chore.

    Don't even put on cyclling gear, just wrap up warm and pootle off for an hour.


  • #25
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,212 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    i have a general rule of thumb when out on the bike, that when possible, i must cycle on at least one road i've not been on before.


  • #26
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,484 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.
    A weekly weekend 100km spin would have you over the 5000km. 4 or so hours if on the road?


  • #27
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    i have a general rule of thumb when out on the bike, that when possible, i must cycle on at least one road i've not been on before.

    Practically impossible unless you only go out once or twice a month. The only way I could do that is to go further and further every bike ride (which isn’t practical) as I have ridden every single road around me over the years already and most of them countless times.


  • #28
    mistermatthew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 790 ✭✭✭mistermatthew


    No i suppose I don't need to 'train'. I have no real race goals. I might do a half ironman this year and some adventure races. But to complete rather than be at the pointy end.
    magicbastarder wrote: »
    just to clarify - is it your motivation specifically to *train*?


  • #29
    mistermatthew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 790 ✭✭✭mistermatthew


    i've actually joined a new club.
    I had one at home when I was doing a lot of mileage.

    So I think that may be the cure. We did 80k on Sunday and it went by quick enough.

    If I can consistently get out with them once a week and then trainer/outside for an hour 2 times a week that might help.

    Ohh and I put in a big order on Chainreaction! Not a bike but bike bits.
    fat bloke wrote: »
    You need to get a little grupetto going. Nothing better to get you out than knowing you've a couple of mates will be standing expectantly at a junction in the cold waiting for you. I've been getting out every Saturday morning with the same couple of lads for years now. If it was just me I'd hit that snooze alarm button every time.


  • #30
    mistermatthew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 790 ✭✭✭mistermatthew


    As was said before. Only 120km a week. 5hrs or so. With a normal club spin you'd get in 70-90. So not too much to make the 120.
    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.


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  • #31
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,011 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    who_ru wrote: »
    i don't have the time to cycle 5000-6000km a year, don't know how anybody would with a job too.
    Sounds more like you won't make time!

    I generally average 20,000kms per year and I have a full time (very stressful) job and I regularly do overtime.


  • #32
    Large bottle small glass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,863 ✭✭✭Large bottle small glass


    Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »
    Practically impossible unless you only go out once or twice a month. The only way I could do that is to go further and further every bike ride (which isn’t practical) as I have ridden every single road around me over the years already and most of them countless times.

    There's 80k km of local roads in country, not including Coillte forest roads.

    In 2013-15 I was doing a minimum of 10k per year and I've attached a heat map.

    By deliberately avoiding anything resembling a regional or busy road, while doing a lot less cycling 3k-4k per year, I've attached another heatmap for same area.

    Some of that is with a cx bike, most with a road bike and the very odd mtb spin.

    To OP, I'm always surprised that people can get motivated at all to continually ride the same few routes week in week out, on busy roads continually looking over your shoulder for the next close pass.


  • #33
    Macy0161
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,484 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Large bottle small glass wrote: »
    To OP, I'm always surprised that people can get motivated at all to continually ride the same few routes week in week out, on busy roads continually looking over your shoulder for the next close pass.
    The numbers that choose*, for example, the Kilmac - Roundwood - Glendalough road always amazes me. Especially with the much nicer Old Long Hill - Annacarter - Old Bridge option.

    *I live on that road, and hate cycling it.


  • #34
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,011 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Large bottle small glass wrote: »
    ....I'm always surprised that people can get motivated at all to continually ride the same few routes week in week out, on busy roads continually looking over your shoulder for the next close pass.
    Horses for courses etc.

    I'm fine on rural back lanes and quiet roads when I'm on a club ride but find them very tedious and unmotivating when I'm out solo. I'd much prefer busy main roads with plenty of vehicular traffic. My fear of loose bloody dogs doesn't help either - 99% of which are found on rural back roads where ironically, the 'law abiding' people are supposed to reside.

    (You are just as likely to encounter a close pass on a narrow rural road as on a busy main road).


  • #35
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,011 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Macy0161 wrote: »
    The numbers that choose*, for example, the Kilmac - Roundwood - Glendalough road always amazes me. Especially with the much nicer Old Long Hill - Annacarter - Old Bridge option.

    *I live on that road, and hate cycling it.
    I prefer the main Roundwood Road. :D


  • #36
    Weepsie
    Site Banned Posts: 20,686 ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Also depends on where you are. Now I live not too far from Dublin city centre. It's a super area for all of the amenities we could ever want and realise I'm very fortunate to be living there, especially given the current scramble.

    However, I love cycling in Wicklow and I enjoy north county Dublin and parts of Meath & surrounds, but it's the 10 or so km to get to anywhere where I can get into a rythym that's annoying, so by then I go with what I know.

    I do often try to take a new road or routes in other directions.

    In the last 2 years I've done 15-16k km. I've done all but 700 of them on my own. Go at my own pace, stop when I want to stop, if I feel like the touring bike or cross bike and a slower, meandering cycle, I'll do that.

    I need to find a happy medium as I imagine those days when I'm finding it a slog, company would help


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  • #37
    marvin80
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,817 ✭✭✭marvin80


    Out for a spin today close to sunset - passing by a line of trees and behind them a luscious green field with sheep running around it - was going to stop and take a picture but it wouldn't have done it justice.

    I find it's the simple things like this the add to the enjoyment of cycling for me.


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