Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - what keeps you motivated?

After my first solo century I was so thrilled. Then I did another 3 and then I kind of lost interest and ended up usually riding 60 miles. Maybe I'm just not a distance cyclist.

I think reaching the big 100 was thrilling because it was an achievement. I'm never going to be particularly fast so distance was a target but now I know I can do 100 without too much trouble its not so exciting. What keeps long distance addicts racking up the centuries?

Why not set your sights on a double, or get into randonneuring (sp?)?

I did my first two centuries this past summer, and plan on doing a few more next summer, then trying for a double century the year after that. 2011 is out of the question for me, but I may try for PBP in 2015....

I just love being out on my bicycle all day long.

Many days, if I didn't feel like I had to come inside in order to do homework or something ... I'd just stay outside riding, and riding, and riding. In fact, I used to do exactly that on weekends before I started University.

Exploring helps a lot too. Every time I set out to do a long ride, I try to pick a completely different, or at least somewhat different, route. I have now ridden most (perhaps all) of the paved roads within about a 100 km radius of where I live.

Plus little challenges like the Century-A-Month, completing randonneuring brevets, training for and riding a 24-hour TT, etc. help keep the interest going.

as an LD addict, i like to keep pushing the furthest distance done in one day.

so far my record is 420 km in a day. hopefully i can do 500k in 24 hours next year..

the great thing about LD riding is that the only thing stopping you from gonig further is you (compare this to racing, where at some point you just can't go any faster)

Goals are one thing, and you need them -- long-term and intermediate -- if you are going to "hit" long distance targets, but the main thing that keeps me motivated is a deep love for being on the bike. Without it, I would have achieved nothing.

Let's face it, long-distance cycling has its moments, nay, hours, of discomfort. If you can't see the satisfaction through the pain, then maybe it's not for you. Most bicycle riders can't see the point in pushing beyond a certain limit, to see what's on the other side.

Compared to today's racing, marathon cycling -- with its non-stop approach -- is seen as a slow, boring affair to outsiders. But just imagine what it takes for a Paris-Brest-Paris leader to push over the hills of Brittany (over 30,000 feet), to complete 1200 kms sub-50 hours!

For me, the goal will be to go back and complete, in 2011, under the 90 hour time limit.

In the meantime, winter rides with no other goal than enjoying the company of friends and a coffee out on the Penisula (35kms distant) and the occasional 100k is what keeps me happy.

I haven't begun to think about next year's season yet.

if riding on my own, it's mostly curiosity. I'll look at a map and wonder what the roads and scenery look like over there, or there, or in that place. They all just happen to be about 30 to 50 miles from my apartment ;)

Or it's hearing about an interesting little farm in a town about 30 miles away and that there's an ice cream shop about 20 miles beyond that and that a friend of mine just moved to a suburb another 20 miles in another direction. And, well, hey, look at that, shortest way to get home from here is 40 miles. I guess I'm doing 110 miles today.

It's kind of like bike touring, except I sleep in my own bed at night ;)

On my own, I don't tend to hit same the route twice, or if I do, it's with a mind to take a variation partway through. Head south instead of west at mile 30, and see what happens. That sort of thing.

Randonneuring has forced me to revisit territory that I've hit before, since riding centuries between brevets now becomes 'training' and you can use certain goals to keep yourself motivated. In the end though, I don't find myself enjoying that nearly as much as the exploratory stuff. Strength and conditioning come and go. Finding a little swimming hole that you would've totally driven past in a car ... that's a reward that keeps on giving.

Just reading these responses so far has got my juices flowing already. My first century was an accidental century where I was just curious what was just that little bit further. Curiosity is much greater when there's nice weather, nice places to see, and nice places to stop and eat something.

I think I'll give long distance another try when the weather gets warmer next year. I am a curious person. Maybe I'll just go in one direction and not worry about when to turn back and just stay wherever I end up. All I need is a credit card and a bit of cash for an overnight stay.

I enjoy setting my sights on a goal/distance that I thought was utterly crazy and then going out and doing it. The first time I rode a 100km's I could not believe that I had just done that, then I wondered if I could go a little further and ride a 200km brevet.
This last year I set my sights on a 400km brevet and now that I finished that I am really gunning to complete an ultra-distance brevet.

Overall what keeps me motivated though is a desire to continually increase my fitness.

I enjoy setting my sights on a goal/distance that I thought was utterly crazy and then going out and doing it. The first time I rode a 100km's I could not believe that I had just done that, then I wondered if I could go a little further and ride a 200km brevet.
This last year I set my sights on a 400km brevet and now that I finished that I am really gunning to complete an ultra-distance brevet.

Overall what keeps me motivated though is a desire to continually increase my fitness.

Sounds similar to my year. I got back into riding long(er) distances last year when I did a 100km ride on my beater old MTB-turned-commuter.
This year I bought a new bike and decked it out for distance riding, and started off with a metric, then a century. It was a couple of attempts before hitting a 200km, and then by mid-summer I did a double century. With that one under my belt, I'm looking at a 400km next summer. From there, we'll just have to wait and see if I want to go farther. I may be happy with 2-3-400km distances for a long time. Who knows?

if riding on my own, it's mostly curiosity. I'll look at a map and wonder what the roads and scenery look like over there, or there, or in that place. They all just happen to be about 30 to 50 miles from my apartment ;)

Or it's hearing about an interesting little farm in a town about 30 miles away and that there's an ice cream shop about 20 miles beyond that and that a friend of mine just moved to a suburb another 20 miles in another direction. And, well, hey, look at that, shortest way to get home from here is 40 miles. I guess I'm doing 110 miles today.

It's kind of like bike touring, except I sleep in my own bed at night ;)



I did an Easter tour in 2005 like that (although I probably wouldn't call it a tour on the touring forum). I had just moved to this area 3 months earlier, and the end of March had the first decent weather for getting out and doing some real exploring. So I mapped out three routes in three different directions to see three different "attractions", and on Good Friday I rode 84 kms, on the Saturday I rode 168 kms (104 miles) and on Easter Sunday I rode 79 kms ... like I would do on a tour, but returning to my home each night. It was a great way to explore the area around my new home.

And speaking of ice cream ... a few weekends later I set out to find a historical creamery which I had heard a little bit about. I found the town it was in on a map, and set off to find the creamery ... I did, and it's lovely. I go there once or twice a year now. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/sets/72157606286079580/ Depending on which direction I go, it's about 80 kms round trip (approx. 50 miles) and sometimes that's all I do ... but if I continue on down to a dam, lake, and recreational area a little further south, I could easily make a century of it. :)

The thing is ... I've told my non-cycling friends about this creamery and the area around, and they all talk about going to see it, but they never do because it's out of the way, and especially when the gas prices were high people were limiting their recreational driving a bit. It's the same with numerous other fascinating little out of the way spots I've discovered while cycling ... I tell people about them, they make comments like, "Oh I should take my family there this weekend." and then they never do. But finding spots like that is one of the reasons I love cycling.

A combination of things, for me. The biggest is probably the National 24-Hour Challenge (in Michigan) that my dad and cousins have been doing for years. I always wanted to try it, and once I started commuting I realized I could, so worked toward that. And I plan to continue working toward higher mileage (and less nausea!).

More generally, setting a difficult goal and then hitting it is a good feeling. And finding out what I'm capable of.

For shorter/weekend rides, sometimes I'm motivated by those things (i.e. training), sometimes by the fun of riding with people on a club ride or organized century, and sometimes by the joy of being on the bike. And of course on the best days, by all three.

I can't say I'm a big explorer, but then again there are lots of busy roads with no shoulder in the Philly area, so I feel like exploring would be stressful and dangerous. Maybe if I lived somewhere more conducive I would go exploring.

How's your cold weather long distance motivation?

How's your cold weather long distance motivation?

Personally, I don't ride long distances all year. I cross train (skate skiing, mostly) november - february, and start ramping up the miles again in feb or march. With the first 200km brevet of the season in late march or early april, that will get my long training rides up to 180-200 right before that. With brevets every 3 weeks or so, there's not much need for long training rides after that. And as much as I love just riding my bike, motivation is no problem, until september or october, when I'm ready for a break again.

SP
Bend, OR

How's your cold weather long distance motivation?

I ride a century-a-month year round. The first time I did that, in 2003, I was in Winnipeg. Here is the story of my February century that year: http://www.machka.net/brevet/Coldest_Century.htm

Since then, I moved to Alberta, and I've done a century-a-month in 2005 and 2006 ... and if all goes well, and I get my December century, I'll have done it in 2008 too.


It really doesn't get all that cold in London, does it? I'm sure you'd have ample opportunity each month to ride a century. If I'm not mistaken, Audax UK runs events just about every month of the year. http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm

I ride a century-a-month year round. The first time I did that, in 2003, I was in Winnipeg. Here is the story of my February century that year: http://www.machka.net/brevet/Coldest_Century.htm

Since then, I moved to Alberta, and I've done a century-a-month in 2005 and 2006 ... and if all goes well, and I get my December century, I'll have done it in 2008 too.


It really doesn't get all that cold in London, does it? I'm sure you'd have ample opportunity each month to ride a century. If I'm not mistaken, Audax UK runs events just about every month of the year. http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm


Great website Machka. That 2003 ride sounds like torture! I'm starting to wonder if you might have a screw loose (or maybe more) :D

Serious distance riders sure are mentally tough. You're right London isn't that cold and certainly not by canadian standards. It's just not lovely warm sunny weather which is when I enjoy cycling long distance..stopping off at interesting places..enjoying the scenery etc.

Winter riding for me is just dull exercise, summer is fun. I'm determined to make more of an effort this winter. Previous winters I would just give it a miss if there's a lot of rain or its too cold so when the weather warms up I'm wasting good riding days just getting back the fitness lost during winter.

Well, check out the Audax UK site calendar: http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm (click Calendar). I just went in there, and there are lots of interesting looking rides of various distances going on all winter. Riding with other people might help keep the interest and motivation up.

Riding all year round makes it a lot easier to tackle some good events in the summer. I used to take winters off too, and it was always a struggle to get back into it again in the spring. But since I've made a point of keeping active all year round, it's made quite a difference.

You might also consider a trainer, rollers, or a spinning class to give you an option if the weather is really bad. I'm in a spinning class two nights a week now, and I've got my trainer bicycle all set to go for when the weather really turns bad.


And yes, I probably do have a screw loose! :D Mind you, I haven't done a ride of that length in those temps since.

First century out.. I was so thrilled with 100 , we did 107.... Just hopping on the bike is motivation enough.

Here's a different perspective. I kind of enjoy long distance rides but only if they're pretty special or some kind of new acheivment. My proper cycling life start 2.5 years ago, and basically apart from commuting a few miles each day I did kind of three or four "long" rides during the first year. "long" means ~15 miles, once 33 miles I think, completed at <10mph overall. Then I did my 132mi/211km Christmas ride a year ago, did 26 miles a couple of weeks later, 30 miles in March, and about 15 miles in June. In addition, I did a mini tour between York and Kendal (and part of the way back*), accross the Dales (very hilly area) which was pretty fun. The total distance of that one was only about 115miles and I took three days over it. I had a very particular reason for doing it and wouldn't have wanted to had it been just for the sake of it.

Since then, my longest ride was an 18-mile round trip, because I needed to get from A to B, and back again. Oh, actually I did 2 x 30 miles in the summer as well, because the alternative was a bus which took 1.5 hours each way.

I don't imagine I'll ever bother doing "long" rides unless they somehow improve on my previous record. The minimum I'd go for is 250km I guess (160mi). 200miles would be pretty cool as well, I guess. I kind of wish I liked riding long distances for fun, and although when I do go for rides I always enjoy it, there's some kind of anxious restlessness that makes me just want to get to my destination as fast I can. Just thinking about it makes me feel it now.
Completing long distances is just a matter of finding the time and right spark to do it, and finding a way to justify the damage to my health. So "training" for it doesn't make much sense to me, in fact I think it ruins the whole thing. What's the point in doing 100 miles when you did 90 last week anyway? Who cares if you add 10 miles to your last ride?

Anyway so my motivation is basically to do something big and adventurous that I haven't done before. Apart from that, I don't like long distances any more than 10-20 miles. My parents want me to go to their house for Christmas, but it's 160miles away and if I go then I will have to ride it or feel like a *** for getting the train. I'm considering it, but would rather not go at all anyway. My bike just isn't in the shape it was last year, and I was so lucky with the weather.

--Joe

* only part of the way back because my shifter broke and left me in only my highest gear at the back, I adjusted it to the second highest with a screwdriver, but with my dinner plate-sized chainrings I couldn't move it up the hills so I just got a train, since I had 70 miles to go in a few hours :/

I am just getting into randonneuring, I find the clock, the various awards, the lure of events like the PBP and LEL all drag me out to train. I suspect they will do the same when I do my first brevet. To date I have only done unsupported centuries on my own. Self planned, no support, just head out and ride. This is nice but a few companions is better and will help motivation.

having a goal, having somewhere to be, and food, thats how i do it.

the body can take a surprising amount when you have somewhere to be

and taking a different route as often as you can

Good grief. I thought this thread had died but it has been revived.

Ok..so you guys have given plenty of sensible advice such as...setting goals..change of scene etc.

Well, I decided to go the non-sensible way to motivate myself to ride more. Buy a new bike. Simple!

Good grief. I thought this thread had died but it has been revived.

Ok..so you guys have given plenty of sensible advice such as...setting goals..change of scene etc.

Well, I decided to go the non-sensible way to motivate myself to ride more. Buy a new bike. Simple!

Maybe not sensible or cost-effective, but it certainly is one of the most fun!

just getting out on my bike motivates me. my first century changed my life and got me into this cycling thing. staying slim, fit and healthy is all the motivation i need to ride these days.

I have no motivation. Just a need to go riding, though I do prefer a point to point ride. I like to end up someplace different than where I started.

A new bike is great motivation.

Good grief. I thought this thread had died but it has been revived.

Ok..so you guys have given plenty of sensible advice such as...setting goals..change of scene etc.

Well, I decided to go the non-sensible way to motivate myself to ride more. Buy a new bike. Simple!

Well ... are you going to tell us what kind/make/model of bike?:D Inquiring minds ....

Some of mine here. (http://www.veloweb.ca/mybikes.html)

...the lure of events like the PBP and LEL all drag me out to train...

Well, I know what PBP stands for; what is "LEL"? thanks

Well, I know what PBP stands for; what is "LEL"? thanks

London-Edinburgh-London

Maybe not sensible or cost-effective, but it certainly is one of the most fun!

coasting has a good frame and I think that when it's built up, he will thoroughly enjoy it. He may have to ride it a bit to sort it comfort-wise, and invest in a Brooks Swallow Ti saddle (for the looks and comfort) and maybe fit 25mm tyres rather than 23C. Maybe he can take the majority of measurements from his steelie and match those to the new bike to help foreshorten the fit-comfort process.

I do know that once he gets on and goes, he will want to ride it.. LOTS.. and motivation won't be a particular issue.

Just on that: One of the things I discovered was that the goals and targets did not need to get higher and higher each year. This year has been a time totally off for randonneuring, for various reasons.

I am feeling a bit more refreshed and am doing the century a month, and have just completed a 1000-mile month. Next year? I am not sure yet.

coasting has a good frame and I think that when it's built up, he will thoroughly enjoy it. He may have to ride it a bit to sort it comfort-wise, and invest in a Brooks Swallow Ti saddle (for the looks and comfort) and maybe fit 25mm tyres rather than 23C. Maybe he can take the majority of measurements from his steelie and match those to the new bike to help foreshorten the fit-comfort process.

I do know that once he gets on and goes, he will want to ride it.. LOTS.. and motivation won't be a particular issue.

Just on that: One of the things I discovered was that the goals and targets did not need to get higher and higher each year. This year has been a time totally off for randonneuring, for various reasons.

I am feeling a bit more refreshed and am doing the century a month, and have just completed a 1000-mile month. Next year? I am not sure yet.


That Rowan...he's a top bloke! I asked him his opinion about a frame and he gave me tons of useful advice about putting the bike together and saved me making a really damaging mistake. I'm receiving some new components gradually and moving some from my steel bike. I upgraded the steel from downtube 7 speed to 10 speed STI earlier and found I actually miss the downtube shifters. When built the new one will be my nice weather bike. You know how it is with a new bike..you baby it and worry about it until its first scratch, then you can relax about it. Are you the Rowan in Machka's website? If you are, congrats.

That London-Edinburgh-London thing looks interesting. Well let's see if I can hang with the century a month crowd in 2009 first.


Well ... are you going to tell us what kind/make/model of bike?:D Inquiring minds ....

Some of mine here. (http://www.veloweb.ca/mybikes.html)

Sorry, I forogot the rule here is pics or it didn't happen. I haven't got a pic yet of the new one but the stock pic is:

http://www.merlinbike.com/bikes/2006/works/c110.aspx#

and my steel one is:

http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii55/coasting-cycling/?action=view&current=1.jpg

Ain't she pretty.

Yes, he's the Rowan in my website ... and in my life. :)

What motivates YOU is something nobody here or anywhere can define. You have to find and define what you enjoyed about the century other than the goal of doing it and translate it to other things.

Me personally, I like doing the longer distances for multiple reasons. I have a job that offers an endless supply of people complaining, suffering, whining, and beetching all day long. Riding offers me plenty of ME time to counteract that. However, somewhere around the 6-7 hr of riding something in me turns off the enjoyment altogether. I have stayed below that time mark until I can force myself to go beyond it and find out if there is anything else there that motivates ME to do it again. I am also not incredibly fast, so longer rides offer me a chance not to focus on pure speed. However, I do seem to go faster than most I know at least at the longer distances, which may be why I have a mental time limit for enjoyment too.

Another motivation to continue to ride is that it is the kryptonite to my fat. I already almost dies from obesity once, and I refuse to get there again. Cycling among other things is so far preventing me from it.

In any case, YOU have to find what motivates YOU.

For me motivation is quite simple. people need to be in contact with me nearly all hours of the day. so when i ride for that 2-3+ hours a day, it is that time when NOBODY can get in touch with me. it is my time alone where its me, the bike and relaxation.

dont confuse relaxation with a slack pace. i am a total stat wh@re. i love new routes, but the only thing better is beating my previous time on that route. whether its a 20 mile route or a 100 mile route. i like to set a time and beat it.

so for me its not "training" its more about me and my need to "perform". i am just to competitive in everything i do, to not be the best at what i do. same deal with group rides. im not there to chat (except maybe a saturday morning ride) i just want to out do whoever i can. for instance organized century rides. since i am not as fit, fast, or strong as i would like to be, i'll set a goal. like finish in the top 10-20 percent.

I'm a recovering meth addict and 22 year smoker, who previously suffered from congestive heart failure, hypertension and pulmonary edema. I'm just grateful I completed 118km(73 miles) today!

I went from being completely unable to walk to the convenience store to buy cigarettes...to riding 150 miles a week. After rehab, I got a huge 38-inch barrel gut(I'm only 5'7"). Now, three years later I have a six pack with a 29 inch waist. Cycling SAVED my life!

I'm a recovering meth addict and 22 year smoker, who previously suffered from congestive heart failure, hypertension and pulmonary edema. I'm just grateful I completed 118km(73 miles) today!

I went from being completely unable to walk to the convenience store to buy cigarettes...to riding 150 miles a week. After rehab, I got a huge 38-inch barrel gut(I'm only 5'7"). Now, three years later I have a six pack with a 29 inch waist. Cycling SAVED my life!

i love hearing about these experiences.

Being forced off the bicycle helps motivate me to want to ride.

I've just spent 3 months off the bicycle ... moving, then not feeling quite right, then being diagnosed with DVT and spending 2 weeks in the hospital, and then gradually regaining my strength and energy.

I really want to ride ... but still can't ride much. I'm still building up.

Being forced off the bicycle helps motivate me to want to ride.

I've just spent 3 months off the bicycle ... moving, then not feeling quite right, then being diagnosed with DVT and spending 2 weeks in the hospital, and then gradually regaining my strength and energy.

I really want to ride ... but still can't ride much. I'm still building up.

all the lost time and pent up frustration will explode in an orgy of riding. i predict 700 mile weeks when you are back to fitness.

all the lost time and pent up frustration will explode in an orgy of riding. i predict 700 mile weeks when you are back to fitness.

I hope to get there again!! I've been saying to Rowan that I want to do a 1000K sometime in the next year or so (not so keen on the 1200K distance just now). But it will take a while to build up to that ... my Dr tells me I have to ease into it, and the drugs I'm on for my DVT also sap a lot of my energy.