General Cycling Discussion - Octoburnout

I think I've reached a limit.... I've finally burned out on the bike. I saw a lot of people going through this back in August. Are you still riding? Did some time off help? How much time?
It's a shame since it's such a beautiful time of year but on the other hand I'm grateful I made it to October. The early darkness and colder temperatures deviate from what I normally associate with biking: shorts, heavy sweat, suntan, etc.: this may be a factor in my burn-out, who knows?
I'd hate to call it a season right now.... so those of you who got past your late-summer burn-outs, what got you through it?

I generally don't ride with temperatures below forty. So here in KC my season generally runs March-November. What I've found works best for me is to take a week off the bike in June and another in August. Seems like I come back stronger after the time off, but then, when out on the road I can't seem to find the throttle. Anyhoo, this keeps me smiling :D

I took two weeks off the bike in early September, I'm loving the fall weather! Great temp's, amazing colors, no bugs, what more can you ask for?

I can understand where your coming from as I tend to be an "endless summer" type myself and get moody/irratable during season changes particularly cooler weather.I don't know that I specifically "burnedout" late summer but perhaps it is not a coincidence that since then I have completely changed my route significantly increasing the distance and out of necessity reduced the frequency of the rides.While not really taking off an extended period I have been focusing on weight training on offbike days upping the frequency of this versus during the summer.While this has taken care of any end of summer blues if anything this routine is leading me to more possible burnout through potential overtraining.But I think the key is to take less frequent but longer rides(to makeup for it)with new scenery and spend more time on a complementary activity.If I lived in the Atlanta area I would be looking to do some hiking/backpacking in the north Ga. mtns. for example.

I have to admit that it's getting a bit harder to get motivated as the weather gets colder. I really love warm weather. However, cooler weather has its advantages- you don't get as pooped after a ride, less worries about sunburn, flies, dehydration, heat, humidity, etc. However, the sun sets earlier, and it's lower in the sky which makes it harder to see, and when it's cold and windy I just can't get as motivated to go out. However, I've started going to the gym again and working on strength training so it gives me an alternative.

The good thing about winter is that you really appreciate it when spring begins and you can get out on the bike again!

I'm not necessarily burned out, but rather tired of hammering and "training." My final race was last Saturday (an XC sport class win at Plattekill), so I feel the pressure is off and I can slow down and ride with less intensity.

I'm slowly and grudgingly turning my attention to the indoor trainer to keep the winter fat off.

Everybody goes through burnout. It really boils down to how you handle it. I play basketball and volleyball for 2-5 days and then force riding partners to drag my ass out. We invent new rides, ride old ones in reverse, jump on older bikes and try to set new speed records. Sometimes we randomly pick a road on the map, load the bikes in the car and do our own version of "Road Trip". My road partners pull me through the dark hours and I return the favor during their cycling depressions. As in lots of other things, it's not the problem or mistake, but rather how you recover.
Good luck.

Yes, I know whereof you speak as I am getting to the end of the season myself. I biked to work in the freezing rain and darkness this morning and rode home in the freezing rain again. Come the end of October, that is it for me; depending on where I will be assigned to work, it's back to driving in or taking the bus. :eek:

Having identified the pattern over the last few years I was able to put together a plan of attack for this year's bout with burnout.

As soon as the first twinge of the "I don't wanna ride today" bug hit in mid September (which was later than usual) I immediately started a two week span were my average heart rate for the ride did not exceed 70% of MHR. It was hard, it took all the willpower I could muster to not chase other riders, not to spin it up when I felt great and not to stomp up the hills, but it worked. I never stopped riding, which devastates my cheerful disposition ;) , and the results were just as good, maybe better then prior years when I would take a break from riding completely.

I actually felt the cycling burn out in September because of the warm weather. Sweating when I'm off work in July is OK, and it's passable in August. But when comes September, I prefer when the bug season is totally over and when I can ride with long trousers and sleves, and without sweat.

We finally started to get some half-decent weather this week. Nighttime temperatures of 3-8°C are great for riding.

Regards,

Maybe the frost has gotten to my brain, but I would much rather bike in 20F temps than 90F temps. But, then again, I am from Iowa. After a summer full of extreme heat and humidity, I now eagerly await the cool, crisp mornings with open arms.

Burnout? The majority of my riding comes from my daily commutes, so the only thing I burn out on is work. The ride home is what saves my sanity.

Naw, you just need to rest.

Your body secretes "performance" hormones while riding that make you feel marvellous, but you can get burned out sometimes.

Just enjoy the rest!

:D

I have found a change of pace has helped immensely in the late-season "I don't feel like riding" phase. I recently switched back to a fixed gear and haven't had this much fun in YEARS. I don't know what it is about the fixie but I've had more fun on the bike this week than I had in the past three months on the road bike.

It's only been a few days since I switched over but it seems like this could be just the thing to get me through the times it's tough to convince myself to get out there.

Burnout? What's that? The worst day of the year is the last day that I can possibly ride to work. The best is the first day I can manage to make it in on my bike. Even then, I never really put my bike away, our cycling club does an annual New Year's day ride in the snow, mountain biking is lots of fun on snowmobile trails. There are many days in winter it is possible to ride on the road even here in Montreal. Instead of training hard for racing, late and early season rides are more relaxed, time to get out with our non racing friends. Mountain biking in the fall with the leaves changing colours, it just doesn't get any better

Burnout? What's that? The worst day of the year is the last day that I can possibly ride to work. The best is the first day I can manage to make it in on my bike. Even then, I never really put my bike away, our cycling club does an annual New Year's day ride in the snow, mountain biking is lots of fun on snowmobile trails. There are many days in winter it is possible to ride on the road even here in Montreal. Instead of training hard for racing, late and early season rides are more relaxed, time to get out with our non racing friends. Mountain biking in the fall with the leaves changing colours, it just doesn't get ant better

Born in Miami, FL and now living and biking in Ft. Lauderdale, I feel a particularly blessed to be able to ride year around. Yes, we don't have the changing seasons or mountains to train on, but we do have riding weather. As far as biking goes, you can't beat the tropics.

Bikes-N-Drums, I'm glad you brought this up. Just yesterday, while out on the road bike, I was thinking that I'm glad I live in a 4 season area and can't bike all year round. I'm at the point where I can't think of any road I want to ride on and even the mountain bike trails are starting to get old... Can't wait for ski season! (Then I'll be psyched for biking season again around about April). If the weather wasn't changing I'd have to take a bike-break for a few weeks.

Machiavelo, there was actual freezing rain in Ottawa? Yeech!

There was fog here this morning but we ended up having a lovely, sunny day. I hadn't been on a decent ride since sunday, and the few days off really motivated me. The long weekend is looking good as well.

I am getting prepared to fight off my annual cycing depression, it is definitley in the mail. I have found that the very first day I don't feel like riding is the most important day to ride, but the key is to just go have fun, don't hammer. Good luck.