Training & Nutrition - Keeping the fun

Hey All.

I'm more of a lurker/commenter on these forums so rarely start a new thread, but thought i'd make a post today. More of a message to share with fellow cyclists if anything.

Being a racer myself, I realised the other day that my training plan was missing something. I sat down and all of a sudden remembered the reason I started cycling. Because I enjoyed it. And then it clicked - I needed to just go out there, stop focusing on heart rate monitors, calorie burn and all the things that turn the sport into a chore and just have some FUN! Back when I was younger I rode my BMX because I liked jumping off ledges, ramps, stairs etc. So that's exactly what I did. Out with my mountain bike, ditched the training aids and just cycled for the fun of it. I spun the climbs, hammered the descents and jumped as many obsticles and pulled as many wheelies as I could. I came back in an hour and a half later grinning from ear to ear.

At this time of year, especially for guys who are focusing on training for the upcoming race season, (I find) it's all too easy to let yourself get caught up in the stresses of riding a bike for the sake of "training". Exercise is meant to be a stress reliever after all. So to anyone who feels like they are stuck in the rut of "training", ditch the HRM and power meters for a change and remember the reason you started cycling in the first place - for the enjoyment!

Happy days. :thumb:

Good post.
Yeah, I think racing ruins one of the key points of cycling. I wonder if Lance has ever really enjoyed a ride since his livelihood depended on it.

Good post.
Yeah, I think racing ruins one of the key points of cycling. I wonder if Lance has ever really enjoyed a ride since his livelihood depended on it.

I'll bet he has and I'll bet he still does. Burnout is serious and is difficult to overcome. It takes a unique psyche to be able to train at your peak for long periods of time and to not experience true physical burnout, if not "mental burnout". Lance has managed to do that. Another reason why he's a freak of nature. :)

For me, I'm still in the "honeymoon phase" of biking. I enjoy the whir of the tires, the click of the shifters, the downhills and (most of all) the scenery. Recently I invested in a powertap to help me be a better racer. I do club rides just to hone my drafting and attacking skills. I try to keep to a structured training schedule and push myself considerably harder than I should. But, even while holding threshold power on an extended climb, I look around and take in the sights, sounds and smells and relish in the relationship between me and my bike and how the whole things just works together. The total truly outweighs the sum of the parts, which is entirely why I put myself through this. Once I forget that, then it will be time to step back and do as the OP asks - remember the fun.

Good timing, as many of us have been driven indoors for a while now. And we are anxious to get back outside. When I started at the gym, many of the tri folks and other riders expressed concern that I was going to burn out doing 2-3 workout classes in a row. I was having FUN doing them. Enjoying the burn and adrenaline. Yesterday, spin class was not fun. So I only did one.

If you are not enjoying what you are doing, something needs to change.