Commuting - Lost that motivation

And a little bummed. Haven't ridden to work in a few months.

Really a bummer. Where oh where has my motivation gone.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you need to try a different route or find someone to ride with.

No one is going to ride with me THAT far to work.

I just need to get off my duff and back in to the mode.

Seems that the old duff is kind of anchored down.

Reward yourself! set a goal, commute to work 3 times a week. After a month of successful commuting, reward yourself, purchase something for your bike. :)

How far is your commute?

14 miles one way. It's a nice ride actually. A little hilly, not to busy city streets.

I did a description of it here a while back, like August or so.

Riding is it's own reward for me, just a matter of taking that first step.

14 miles each way is a very respectable commuting distance. I commend you for it. How long does it take you to commute each way?

I like Joe's idea of rewarding yourself.

Be sure to reward yourself, though. I used to promise myself a certain reward for sales successes at work. When I neglected to reward myself, the motivation suffered as well.

Treat yourself right. You deserve it.

You have the respect of your fellow bicycle commuters.

On the way there (during summer) it took about an hour and a few minutes.

On the way home, it's an uphill, so it's more of an hour and a half.

Originally posted by William Karsten
14 miles one way. It's a nice ride actually. A little hilly, not to busy city streets.

I did a description of it here a while back, like August or so.

Riding is it's own reward for me, just a matter of taking that first step.

Before retiring a year and a half ago, and relocating, I commuted at least three times a week to work. It too, was 14 miles one way. I loved the ride, it had a lot of variety. I would give a lot to be able to do that commute on a regular basis again. Maybe after my 2nd career starts again in a couple of years I will have the very special privilege to do it again.

You've got it even better, your weather is much nicer than mine was in Virginia. San Diego?!!! Nice place!! Get out there and enjoy that commute again! You'll wonder how you could of possibly fell off the routine.

I here you gus.

I enjoyed it then, and I'd enjoy it now...

The question is why do I not get off my duff and ride?

I can often find a number of reasons not to get out and prep the bike.

I'll just have to quit whining and do it.

Originally posted by William Karsten
I'll just have to quit whining and do it.

You got that right. Prep it now!

Get your water bottles in the 'fridge, a banna set aside, make sure you've got a couple of Eggos in the freezer for breakfast.
Set out your shorts, Jersy and socks on the dresser. Put your riding shoes down by the TV (so you can put them on while checking the weather channel). Helmet, gloves and glasses go on the bike. Wal la! You're ready!

William, I just checked out your profile. Navy huh? I'm retired Air Force. Believe it or not, I'll be arriving in your Neighborhood. I arrive aboard the USS Carl Vinson, will I be near your commute? My plans are to fly out of San Diego the next day, you got an extra bike? :D

No, no extra bike. I've got a long dead Nishiki Ariel that has stuff growing on it. I've been "going" to rebuild that. Just me, and my cannondale.

The Vinson? Are you a tech rep or what? If the Vinson is pulling in, it will most likely hit North Island. Drop me an email (loose lips and all that you know) and I can probably ease your "commute from pier to airport with a stop off along the way if you need one for "Shtuff".

Originally posted by William Karsten

Are you a tech rep or what? If the Vinson is pulling in, it will most likely hit North Island......I can probably ease your "commute from pier to airport with a stop off along the way if you need one for "Shtuff".


No, not a tech rep, I'm a full time student right now. My son is on the Vinson and I'm invited on a Tiger Cruise. :)

Might be able to use your offer to the airport. I'll be at a bit of a loss when I climb off the ship as to where and what I do next to get to the airport or billeting or a motel. Very kind of you to offer. :) What is a Shtuff? :confused: I may need one?!

Shtuff: Tshirts, stickers, general cheasy paraphernalia that goes with the region or theme of a trip. Tourist junk.


As far as accomadation, etc.. You son might know what are the best places to stay and be able to recommend something in San Diego. But, I can get you from A to B and a perhaps an A to C with a stop in between.

If I was in that sort of situation, the first thing I'd say is "bugger the commute, just go out and ride for the sheer hell of it". Basically, take a Sunday morning or something, get on the bike and just ride the thing. Don't even bother having a destination, just ride for the sake of riding. After that, you'll wonder why you ever stopped.

Hey, William Karsten, glad to hear from you again!

I loved your posts. ;)

Hey, if you don't want to ride, don't. Ride for the fun of it!

Pete :D

Thanks Pete!


I'm going to. I just need to kick start my lazy (insert favorite semi derogatory statement) in gear, no pun intended.

That's the puzzling thing; I enjoy riding, but haven't motivated my self to get moving.

For motivation use sparingly:

William, just look at yourself! Your dispicable! I haven't seen you this out of shape for a long time. What happened? Your butt is on a list to receive a zip code and your stomach is warming your belt buckle! Listen to me and listen good. Put down the chips and get your lazy self off that couch and on that bike this instant if you want to keep the last remaining ounce of respect in you and pedal like you've seen a ghost!

Let me know how it worked. ;)

Originally posted by Greg
For motivation use sparingly:

William, just look at yourself! Your dispicable! I haven't seen you this out of shape for a long time. What happened? Your butt is on a list to receive a zip code and your stomach is warming your belt buckle! Listen to me and listen good. Put down the chips and get your lazy self off that couch and on that bike this instant if you want to keep the last remaining ounce of respect in you and pedal like you've seen a ghost!

Let me know how it worked. ;)

It sure fits some of the folks that work for me.

I guess my motivation is not to become bald and fat.

I'm gonna be bald, but hey, fat I can avoid.

do you have all the gear you need to make winter commuting as enjoyable as summer commuting? fenders & rack on the bike, full-finger gloves, rain jacket, etc.?

though since we're talking about san diego, maybe weather's not an issue. :)

hard to say what will give you the motivation, but if you make it easy for yourself that might help. when things are easier it's just... easier.

-jb

Our weather is nice probably eleven months out of twelve. This winter, so far, I have actually found the cycling better than in the Fall. For a couple of weeks now, we have been without our heavy morning fog, which I find discouraging. Hope it remains so.
Sunny cool days and looking at I-15 traffic while cycliing on the service road, I think how lucky I am to be on the bike and not on the freeway. So much more pleasant to zip about backed up traffic on the bike.
My once a week bike commute is 25 miles one way. The auto commute is what gets me down. It is nuts the way traffic backs up in Temecula, which is undergoing a building frenzy. The normally 20 minute commute during 5 pm rush hour becomes almost an hour.

Originally posted by junebride
do you have all the gear you need to make winter commuting as enjoyable as summer commuting? fenders & rack on the bike, full-finger gloves, rain jacket, etc.?

-jb
So, JB pops in to taunt the unsuspecting?

:)

I know I shouldn't taunt others, but...


Originally posted by junebride
do you have all the gear you need to make winter commuting as enjoyable as summer commuting? fenders & rack on the bike, full-finger gloves, rain jacket, etc.?

Well as a matter of interest, I have my sunscreen, cycling jersey etc that's all I really need in winter :p

William, you might want to look at the New Year Resolutions thread. Everyone there has such a positive attitude that it might inspire you to make a few of your own. It worked for me. I swore I would think about it!

I am bumbed today. Can't or choose not to, commute into work for PM shift tonight. It is to rain like cats and dogs tomorrow. Be a bummer coming back after night shift. Today is bright and can't wait to get out before work and do Schearer's grade.
William. Maybe get yourself a plan. Prepare yourself for a tour to motiviate yourself. To me motivation is easy, the thought of loosing muscle composition or gaining a couple inches about the waist is more than enough motiviation. What about getting out in the sunshine and hearing, seeing nature. Can't do that in front of the stupid television.
I wondered if taking a day off for New Year's stuff and next Saturday have a committment can't get out of. That will cost me a days riding. that has me reeling. Maybe log your miles, challenge yourself to get you on the bike to meet some objective. Just to ride up the San Diego coast on a sunny day. Need there be more motive.

If it doesn't rain here soon, my motivation is going to suffer. The beach is looking very tempting...

Simple solution, buy yourself a new bike, maybe one that you've wanted or been lookin at for awhile, then you'll have to take it out just to see how she feels.

I'm gonna give it a go tommorrow. Hopefully, anyway.

Originally posted by William Karsten
I'm gonna give it a go tommorrow. Hopefully, anyway.


ALL RIGHTTT!!!!!!!!! He's going to ride!!!!!! YAAAAAA! PARTY AT WILLIAMS HOUSE tomorrow!!! You can tell us how it went over bier!

Have a great ride. I'm waiting for the cold to go away here. Cold AND wind keeps me on my trainer. :(

Go for it William, you can do it!

I remember your first few posts, describing your commute and asking about saddles, it seemed like you had a great time doing it.

Remember those times and get them back!

I was a bad boy on Friday.

I was soooo warm and comfy in bed that I didn't wanna get out and move.

But I got on the bike Saturday morning to take spin, it was pretty nice.

So, it's lit the spark. Weather depending, I'll be on the road this week, and hopefully more often.

I do miss getting out and abuot.