Commuting - Staying Motivated

I started commuting earlier this year. I was riding an average of 3 days a week. I did it long enough that it became habit.

Last week I had to travel for work, and didn't ride at all. This week, I skipped Monday because of debris everywhere from the windstorm. I rode Tuesday, but I haven't ridden since.

Today, I overslept. I had planned on riding. I've found my motivation lacking. I thought it would get easier as time went by.

I do have a 33-mile round-trip, and the mornings are getting cooler and darker. Financially, I have incentive. Parking just went up to $7 per day, plus I use $4 to $6 in gas per day (depending on which car I drive). So everyday I ride, I save at least $11. Yet I still find it hard to get on the bike in the morning.

On days that I do ride, I feel great when I get to work, but I dread the ride home.

How do I get past this?

Man I have so much fun riding a bike I can't imagine needing more motivation.

What is it that you dread? Is it the effort? Traffic? Something hurting? Maybe we can help address the symptoms.

I was kind of in that boat this morning. Hadn't slept well. Wasn't sure I wanted to ride in.

GLAD I DID.

My motivation is that driving sucks, and riding a bike is great fun. ONE TIME EVER have I ridden my bike and wished I'd driven; on that day we had 9 inches of snow the night before and the plows weren't through yet. I was having to walk up hills, and actually pedal to go DOWN them due to the weight of the snow. It was only about 3 miles until I reached plowed pavement.

Other than that, I've never driven and not wished I'd ridden, and I've never ridden and wished I'd driven. That includes bad weather; -25*F temps, thunderstorms, hail, whatever ya got, I'll enjoy it.

This time of year I'm driving twice a week because my daughter needs to go in for early marching band practice. Even then sometimes I rack my bike, park the car at the school and ride from there.

I have NO DESIRE to drive when there's any choice in the matter.

Man I have so much fun riding a bike I can't imagine needing more motivation.

What is it that you dread? Is it the effort? Traffic? Something hurting? Maybe we can help address the symptoms.

Well, I bought a recumbent for comfort, so that's not an issue.

Part of it is time. The round-trip is 3 hours per day. That leaves little time for anything else. I also have to get up earlier. My bicycle commute is not faster than by car. I don't have quite the traffic issues that some of you do.

Part of it is traffic. About 7 miles of my ride is 4-lane divided highway with fast traffic. I have to ride on the shoulder there. A small section of that has an extremely narrow shoulder. Oh, yeah, and an interchange with a freeway. Dealing with ramp traffic is a pain.

I have ridden a couple of alternate routes, but they are all longer, hillier, and have no shoulder (but I can take the lane). There are also blind curves. Also, being more rural, I've had stuff thrown at me on that route.

The darkness in the morning is bad. I have lights, but I still feel a lot more vulnerable in the dark.

I really want to move closer to work. I'd need to sell my house to do it, and I've got to wait for my divorce to be final before I do that. I can't afford to rent a place and pay my mortgage at the same time, so that's out.

I'm doing this for weight loss, and general fitness. I own two cars, and will probably always own at least one. I'd like to save the driving the car for long trips though.

Money.

Seriously.

Money.

Every day I ride, I take the money that I would have spent on gas and put it into a special fund (a jar, actually) and save that money for a new bike. And every time I add money to the jar, I count up the total.

Good habits like Riding and running are easy to get out of. You just have to stay on top of it. I have been commuting by bike since July 07 and there are days I get up and just don't feel like it but once I start to get ready for work I slip on the bike shoes and just get into the pre-ride routine.
As far as getting motivated for the ride home it sounds like you are not to thrilled about going home? Maybe if you had some sort of incentive to going home like a hobby. Or if you are married something to do with your significant other like some sort of group activity.

Good habits like Riding and running are easy to get out of. You just have to stay on top of it. I have been commuting by bike since July 07 and there are days I get up and just don't feel like it but once I start to get ready for work I slip on the bike shoes and just get into the pre-ride routine.
As far as getting motivated for the ride home it sounds like you are not to thrilled about going home? Maybe if you had some sort of incentive to going home like a hobby. Or if you are married something to do with your significant other like some sort of group activity.

Maybe I need to have someone hide the car keys for a week :)

Back in early August, I had considered making September car-free. That sure didn't happen.

Most of my issue with the ride home is that it's slightly more uphill than the ride to work. I arrive at work feeling good. I arrive at home completely drained.

I live alone now other than my dogs. I do enjoy being at home. It's the traveling part that bothers me. I don't like driving, but it's easier than biking, and takes less time.

Short-term answer is "just do it" :)

Mid-term is move closer to work.

Long-term is get rid of one of the cars.

Every day I ride, I take the money that I would have spent on gas and put it into a special fund (a jar, actually) and save that money for a new bike. And every time I add money to the jar, I count up the total.

I did that in my first couple years, to keep me going. In those days, it was only about a dollar a trip, so I would get some dollar coins from the bank and put one in a jar each day I rode. Then once in a while I would empty out the jar on the table and count them, like a little pirate with his gold coins.

Now, to keep the motivation up, I buy bike stuff, although I'm running out of excuses in that area now.

Fifteen miles one way could be a bit of a drag after a while, I suppose. But for me, if I were saving $11 EVERY DAY, which is over $2500 a year (assuming one rode every day), I would be motivated by that alone. I would consider making it a personal goal to ride every single day for two years, keep track of the money saved, and after two years and $5000, buy an Aerorider (www.aerorider.com).

Fifteen miles one way could be a bit of a drag after a while, I suppose. But for me, if I were saving $11 EVERY DAY, which is over $2500 a year (assuming one rode every day), I would be motivated by that alone. I would consider making it a personal goal to ride every single day for two years, keep track of the money saved, and after two years and $5000, buy an Aerorider (www.aerorider.com (http://www.aerorider.com)).

Now that is a worthy goal to get behind. :thumb:

Do it five days a week until it becomes habit. (Approx 5 months). Cognative dissonance will do the rest. Eventually, you'll feel weird not riding in.

Yup, do it 'till it's a habit. The amount of time it takes to become one will depend on how motivated you are to make it one. I came to grad school determined to ride to class, so once my parents got me a bike, it was easy. Now I ride back and forth about ten times a week. My round trip is less than four miles, though, so at 40 miles per week, it's considerably less than what you're doing. If you're comfortable with music, I recommend a set of quality earphones (http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-51MZ0085AA007-EP-630-Headphones/dp/B000LVIC58/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0) and an iPod filled with albums you like. That got me through walking everywhere in undergrad, and it's getting me through biking to class in grad school.

You might just be over trained...............take a few days off from riding. Reduce your effort and slow down when you do ride to avoid burnout. Don't feel guilty about not riding, especially if you are doing it for weight loss. You might want to mix up your exercise efforts to include some weight training or some other activity that you enjoy on the days you don't ride or in place of riding now and then. I ride 17 miles round trip per day and sometimes 54 miles if I start from my doorstep. I do the full commute very infrequently however. I know what you are talking about as far as the ride home. Last night I worked until after dark and rode the 8.5 miles back to my car. It was the first time in a long time that I have ridden this late and I was nervous about it, plus, I have been having some sciatic nerve problems that have been hampering my riding. I am being forced to take time off the bike to heal. Its downright scary to ride in the dark on busy roads when you aren't feeling your best. I will continue to commute through November here in the Northwest weather permitting and will ride on the weekends some to maintain my aerobic conditioning but will supplement with other activities to avoid burnout or more injuries due to the one dimensional routine of cycling only.:thumb:

Movement begets movement. Every day, barring some legitimate excuse. You'll suddenly find yourself motivated.

The safety issue is important and if you're riding in the dark on a busy road where you don't feel safe, that's going to provide another excuse not to do it.

But that you're considering moving closer to work shows your dedication. I know I had to force myself some mornings -- because I was tired, because it was cold out -- but once I got started I was so happy I did.

So shut off your brain 3 mornings a week. Start getting into your bike clothes without thinking about it and before you know it you'll be pedalling.

I just enjoy riding in the mornings instead of sitting in a car or standing on the overcrowded bus.. I don't really have a motivation problem.

I'm going to do some recreation riding this weekend. I'm trying to decide whether or not to ride all five days next week though.

I'll followup next week. :)

Money.

Seriously.

Money.

Every day I ride, I take the money that I would have spent on gas and put it into a special fund (a jar, actually) and save that money for a new bike. And every time I add money to the jar, I count up the total.

I was going to say something similar. Rather than being purely practical, have fun with that $11. Put it in a fund for a new bike, new bike toys, a vacation, or whatever fun stuff you like to spend your money on. I guess that changes it from a savings of $11 a day to spending $11 a day on fun stuff, but what's wrong with that. :)

From the cycling angle try switching your route. If you have a computer try a slow relaxed pace one day, keep track of your best time and try to beat it another day. Find a ride partner if you can. If you have the type of bike that can handle it take it off road, try some jumps, hop some curbs, etc. See what animals, wild-life, plants, etc. you can locate on your ride and go read about them so you can know more about the environment you're riding in, and then try to find new ones on subsequent rides. The point is to find little ways to switch things up to keep them interesting. Seems to be working for me so far.

I know for me I have no problems with motivation in the afternoons, after all I have no choice and need to get home. The mornings can be hard some times. The hard part is only the first 5 minutes, after that I'm having fun and always happy I'm on the bike. If you're the same way just remind yourself to suck it up for the first 5 minutes and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Becoming physically addicted to bicycling to work has been my biggest motivator. I simply become grumpy and restless when I don't ride. I love my ride in, and love riding home, it's that simple.

Living in Seattle I don't get the kind of weather you have in Kentucky, but we still get good wind storms and lots of rain. The only thing that stops me is the occasional snow and ice in the winter, or when wind gusts are over 40 mph.

The mirror and my wallet are all the motivation I need. That being said I burn out a couple times a year and take a break. Boring myself to tears on mass transit has a funny way of motivating you. That and seeing others out and about on their bikes.
Strangely enough, I have not burned out since last year.

I've been on a bit of a spending freeze. I've put too much money into bike stuff this year. However, I do need fenders for the recumbent, and better lights. I do have two PB superflashes on the back, but my headlight is a Trek Ion 6... probably fine for being seen, but not good for lighting up the road.

Anyway, my LWB recumbent throws rainwater (and sometimes sand) directly into my face... so I went ahead and ordered fenders for it.

I'm still trying to decide on a lighting system. I've thought about a homebrew setup with a SLA battery, to keep things cheap, but I really like the DiNotte lights.

Spending is one of my vices. It does keep me motivated though.

Maybe I need to have someone hide the car keys for a week :)

Most of my issue with the ride home is that it's slightly more uphill than the ride to work. I arrive at work feeling good. I arrive at home completely drained.



I sometimes drive to work with the bike on the car. Then bike home and back to the office the next day where the bike goes back on the rack and I drive home. I do it to shuttle things to and form the office or to get the car to the office because I need it for something during the day. But I don't get the exhausted feeling I have sometimes with two rides in a day.

If such a plan is workable for you, you could just do that on a regular basis. You get a savings over a car only commute. You get exercise for the weight loss you wanted. You get back some of the 3 hours you were using for the commute by bike everyday ....

Another option is maybe drive partway and bike the rest.

Drive in to work a few days in a row. Sit and be frustrated by traffic for about an hour each day. Other motivation: Bike Bux. It doesn't have to be "dollars saved." Pay yourself maybe $.10 a mile. Use your "earned" money on bike stuff. (jersey, new tires, save up for a whole new bike even! It can take a long time to "earn" a bike in "bike bux." When you realize how long it is going to take and that each bike commute makes a difference in reaching your goal, you might be more motivated to ride in.

I sometimes drive to work with the bike on the car. Then bike home and back to the office the next day where the bike goes back on the rack and I drive home. I do it to shuttle things to and form the office or to get the car to the office because I need it for something during the day. But I don't get the exhausted feeling I have sometimes with two rides in a day.

If such a plan is workable for you, you could just do that on a regular basis. You get a savings over a car only commute. You get exercise for the weight loss you wanted. You get back some of the 3 hours you were using for the commute by bike everyday ....

Another option is maybe drive partway and bike the rest.

I started by driving part of the way, parking in a strip-mall parking lot, and riding from there.

It worked well, and maybe I should do that on days that I can't motivate myself, or when I oversleep. It does require that I ride my hybrid though... the recumbent doesn't fit on my car.

Leaving my car at work isn't an option. I would have to pay for parking, and it's not safe overnight.

I ride primarily because I enjoy it. Sounds like your distance is the biggest problem. Maybe commute just 1 day a week for a while.

I'm not you, and my motivation is never going to be your motivation. Find your own or stop doing it. Just, y'know...don't spend your life trying to like things because you think you're supposed to like them. A lot of brie and mojotos get sold that way.

I took a week off from commuting by bike. It cost me $120.00 in gas:cry:, I picked up 3 pounds:cry: and I feel awful. So guess what I will be doing next week?


Gas, .69 cents the cost of a can of beans.

I'm not you, and my motivation is never going to be your motivation. Find your own or stop doing it. Just, y'know...don't spend your life trying to like things because you think you're supposed to like them. A lot of brie and mojotos get sold that way.

I didn't start commuting because I was supposed to.

In November I bought an elliptical as part of my weight loss plan. I quickly got bored of it. In April I bought a bike, for fun and fitness. I had trouble finding enough time to ride. A co-worker suggested riding part of the way to work for exercise, and to save money on parking.

It was a natural progression from there. It didn't take long before I was riding the entire distance. The discomfort on my right hand and shoulder caused me to buy a recumbent.

I love riding. I had been doing good until last week. I was unable to ride last week. I was out of town on business. I think that one week screwed up my motivation.

I intended to get back on the bike first thing this week, but I only rode one day this week. I feel horrible about it.

Eat more chocolate.

2 weeks off the bicycle and i just could not do it, till i hit the chocolate.

Eat more chocolate.

2 weeks off the bicycle and i just could not do it, till i hit the chocolate.

Only work for me if the chocolate was hanging about five feet in front of me at all times. :roflmao2:

Only work for me if the chocolate was hanging about five feet in front of me at all times. :roflmao2:


No surprise ... you used to ride Hardley's :D

Eat more chocolate.

2 weeks off the bicycle and i just could not do it, till i hit the chocolate.

This sounds like a plan I can stick to.

You might have to force yourself back onto the bike. No need to instantly go back to 3x a week, though. Start with just two days or even one and go from there.

Just spend the $$ and get a tail light or lights bright enough that you feel you'll be seen.

Hey dr,

I was worried about this, especially when all the hurricane leftovers came your way. I, too, slip in and out of the bicycling routine. The thing that has motivated me to keep going back to it is simple: I feel like crap when I don't ride regularly. I drink more. I gain weight. I get stressed out over things at work. I'm less energetic and more slow-witted. I worry about my blood pressure, which goes up when I don't ride. I also have to face the doctor who will b---- me out once a year if I'm not at least doing something for my health.

Now, the big reasons are out of the way. So, how about the daily motivation? I get myself psyched up the night before. It is the only way I will get out of bed. I pack my lunch and clothes and I think about how fun it will be. If I have fears, I adjust things on the bike. (Last night, I put a broken blinking light holder back on so I would feel safer in traffic.) I also think about the best parts of my commute--the things that make me giggle or smile. (On a bent with electric assist, there are lots of things to make one giggle and smile....especially passing drivers at intersections.)

Finally, I agree that your commute is too long to stick to over time. You're riding well over an hour each way, and most mere mortals just can't do that over time. You need something sustainable. I have 3 ideas: 1) Sell and move closer. (You're already on that.) I dream of the day that I can do this. I look at the real estate along the way and calulate how much closer it would bring me. I don't want too far, and I don't want too close, either. 2) Get an electric assist motor. It will make you go faster and shorten the time of your commute. That was the purpose of my motor. I knew that, realistically, I would not go 10 or more miles each way on my own. Too slow and too much exhaustion. I like to be worked out, sweaty, and then relaxed and happy after a ride. With my regular bike, I was more like not able to decide between food and sleep until I finally passed out in exhaustion. 3) Get a bike that will fit on the bus, and augment your ride with the bus. I did this for many years. I pretty much skipped the morning ride and rode the bus. In the afternoons, I rode and felt goooood.

One more time, the real motivation is that you will feel gooood.

Eat more chocolate.

2 weeks off the bicycle and i just could not do it, till i hit the chocolate.

Oh, god! Food is so good when I ride. There is nothing better than taking a good ride, rinsing off the sweat, and then going for a full basket of wings and some french fries, eating chocolate or cheese without guilt, chowing down at the buffet, coming up with a recipe and cooking something to be available after the next ride... Food and my ability to enjoy it like a teenager is also a motivator. :love: It's all about the food. :love:

You might have to force yourself back onto the bike. No need to instantly go back to 3x a week, though. Start with just two days or even one and go from there.



The 2X /week thing always troubles me. You can't get into shape or keep in shape going 2 X /week. May as well be a weekend warrior with a good heart attack to prove it. Exercise has to be consistent. If his round trip is too much, he'd be better off riding a shorter distance after he got home 5 days /week.

...Now I'm back on the electric assist thing, because those who have it ride more frequently.

A timely topic. I had motivation trouble just this morning. The scale has stopped moving down and I'm real grumpy about it, like I should be getting more for my effort. I somehow convinced myself to bike in today anyway, and I crashed at the gate at work to top off a perfectly nasty, cold, dark morning. I've got some road rash and aches, but the worst injury is to my pride.

Anyway, one thing that helps motivate me is setting a date. I decided to bike right up to December 1, unless the snow starts covering central Michigan sooner.

A timely topic. I had motivation trouble just this morning. The scale has stopped moving down

Ditch the scale.

Hey dr,

I was worried about this, especially when all the hurricane leftovers came your way. I, too, slip in and out of the bicycling routine. The thing that has motivated me to keep going back to it is simple: I feel like crap when I don't ride regularly. I drink more. I gain weight. I get stressed out over things at work. I'm less energetic and more slow-witted. I worry about my blood pressure, which goes up when I don't ride. I also have to face the doctor who will b---- me out once a year if I'm not at least doing something for my health.

Now, the big reasons are out of the way. So, how about the daily motivation? I get myself psyched up the night before. It is the only way I will get out of bed. I pack my lunch and clothes and I think about how fun it will be. If I have fears, I adjust things on the bike. (Last night, I put a broken blinking light holder back on so I would feel safer in traffic.) I also think about the best parts of my commute--the things that make me giggle or smile. (On a bent with electric assist, there are lots of things to make one giggle and smile....especially passing drivers at intersections.)

Finally, I agree that your commute is too long to stick to over time. You're riding well over an hour each way, and most mere mortals just can't do that over time. You need something sustainable. I have 3 ideas: 1) Sell and move closer. (You're already on that.) I dream of the day that I can do this. I look at the real estate along the way and calulate how much closer it would bring me. I don't want too far, and I don't want too close, either. 2) Get an electric assist motor. It will make you go faster and shorten the time of your commute. That was the purpose of my motor. I knew that, realistically, I would not go 10 or more miles each way on my own. Too slow and too much exhaustion. I like to be worked out, sweaty, and then relaxed and happy after a ride. With my regular bike, I was more like not able to decide between food and sleep until I finally passed out in exhaustion. 3) Get a bike that will fit on the bus, and augment your ride with the bus. I did this for many years. I pretty much skipped the morning ride and rode the bus. In the afternoons, I rode and felt goooood.

One more time, the real motivation is that you will feel gooood.

The hurricane leftovers were fun. I was luckier than most. My power was only out for 25 hours. There are still people without power. The only day I didn't ride that I can blame on the storm damage was Monday. There was debris in the road, but it was cleaned up by Tuesday, and I rode Tuesday.

I guess having everything packed into my panniers the night before would help. Then not riding becomes a pain. :)

I've thought about the partial bus-commute, but to get to the nearest bus stop, still requires me to ride 9 miles, and that includes the divided highway that I hate riding.

I'm just going to have to tough it out until I move. I did order fenders for my recumbent, now I need to look into better lights.

I planning on riding to work everyday. If I can't bring myself to ride the whole distance, I'll throw my other bike on the car, and drive part of the way.

Ditch the scale.

Nah. Eat less. Drink more water.

I started commuting earlier this year. I was riding an average of 3 days a week. I did it long enough that it became habit.

Last week I had to travel for work, and didn't ride at all. This week, I skipped Monday because of debris everywhere from the windstorm. I rode Tuesday, but I haven't ridden since.

Today, I overslept. I had planned on riding. I've found my motivation lacking. I thought it would get easier as time went by.

I do have a 33-mile round-trip, and the mornings are getting cooler and darker. Financially, I have incentive. Parking just went up to $7 per day, plus I use $4 to $6 in gas per day (depending on which car I drive). So everyday I ride, I save at least $11. Yet I still find it hard to get on the bike in the morning.

On days that I do ride, I feel great when I get to work, but I dread the ride home.

How do I get past this?

Simple... you sell your car.

Oh, god! Food is so good when I ride. There is nothing better than taking a good ride, rinsing off the sweat, and then going for a full basket of wings and some french fries, eating chocolate or cheese without guilt, chowing down at the buffet, coming up with a recipe and cooking something to be available after the next ride... Food and my ability to enjoy it like a teenager is also a motivator. :love: It's all about the food. :love:

You're my kind of girl!

I drive to within 10 miles of my workplace and ride from there. In the winter, I get a little closer and park at a supermarket lot.

My motivation: I'm 5'8" and weigh 190 lbs. Too big ,maybe. But my normal BP is 112/62, my cholestoral is 130 and I can eat like a horse and my weight doesn't fluctuate more than a pound or 2. (BTW, 190 is down from 205) If that doesn't motivate, I don't know what would.

I started commuting earlier this year. I was riding an average of 3 days a week. I did it long enough that it became habit.

Last week I had to travel for work, and didn't ride at all. This week, I skipped Monday because of debris everywhere from the windstorm. I rode Tuesday, but I haven't ridden since.

Today, I overslept. I had planned on riding. I've found my motivation lacking. I thought it would get easier as time went by.

I do have a 33-mile round-trip, and the mornings are getting cooler and darker. Financially, I have incentive. Parking just went up to $7 per day, plus I use $4 to $6 in gas per day (depending on which car I drive). So everyday I ride, I save at least $11. Yet I still find it hard to get on the bike in the morning.

On days that I do ride, I feel great when I get to work, but I dread the ride home.

How do I get past this?

well, not sure if this is the same thing but I find that I have a certain amount of nervousness on my commute that is not too bad... but if I miss a certain amount of time between commutes it comes back stronger. I guess that, in my case, the more I commute the easier it is to do the commute both physically and mentally...

edit: ok, I see that your commute is 15 miles one way... mine is 7.5 miles one way... I would do a park and ride, so that I can change the distance when I don't have as much energy...

Some more motivating ideas:


A timely topic. I had motivation trouble just this morning. The scale has stopped moving down and I'm real grumpy about it, like I should be getting more for my effort.


That's because you're building muscle mass, which is leaner and will speed your metabolism in the long run. At least that's what I tell myself. :D ...Actually, it is true that weight will plateau at points, and often it is due to muscle building. I usually don't get the awesome metabolism until I've done a year or more of consistent riding.



I somehow convinced myself to bike in today anyway, and I crashed at the gate at work to top off a perfectly nasty, cold, dark morning. I've got some road rash and aches, but the worst injury is to my pride.


That's the best motivator of all. You've got a war story!

One of my unhealthy motivators is when I spend money on the bike... <sigh>

I did it again. I just ordered some DiNotte lights. I hope they are worth the money.

I will be riding for a while to make up for the money I just spent.

One of my unhealthy motivators is when I spend money on the bike... <sigh>

I did it again. I just ordered some DiNotte lights. I hope they are worth the money.

I will be riding for a while to make up for the money I just spent.

I don't own a set (yet) but from the reviews and videos I've seen, DiNotte rocks. :thumb: I'm a bit envious.

I find spending to be motivating as well. However, that can easily get out of control. Lately I am just happy with the occasional chain or socks. Riding is way more fun than bankrupting ones self.

I find spending to be motivating as well. However, that can easily get out of control. Lately I am just happy with the occasional chain or socks. Riding is way more fun than bankrupting ones self.

Oh, I know. Before I spent money on bikes, I spent it on computer stuff. Spending is fun. Paying off the debt isn't.

I knew I needed better lighting. My morning commute has been getting scary. I can justify the money, even if I shouldn't have spent it. :)

It had actually been a while since I spent money on bike stuff though. Then I ordered fenders yesterday, and the lights today. Once I get them, and get them installed, I'll get some pictures.