"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Boredom When Training Alone

I see people post that they get bored when training alone and I truly want to know how that is possible. When I train alone (which is often because of where I live) I never get bored, I am thinking about work, about things I need to get done, the training I am doing, upcoming races or, at worst, the old Walter Mitty style "here he is leading the stage of the Tour/Paris-Roubaix/World Championships, etc. or simply enjoying the scenery. I just don't get how anyone can get bored while riding.

What insight!

;)

I find that when I am doing any training solo with intensity I am not thinking about anything. It is very Zen like (not in the Pcad "cycling-Zen" way, but in the real way). It is VERY refreshing psychically, but very taxing physically.

Zone 2 and lower I often drift into states of mind that allow me to ponder problems (work, family, etc.) in a very relaxed way. That is also good.

Neither is boring.

+1 on blank mind / Zen.

I sometimes count pedal strokes. Like into the hundreds. And restart when I get to 500 or 1000. On the 6 hour rides I've caught myself thinking and half mumbling, "fifteen hundred two, fifteen hundred three, fifteen hundred four..."

Work on form. Think about recent or long past situations. Try and remember what it was like to be more fit. hahaha. I spend a lot of time thinking, "Boy, that used to seem easy" or "How come I'm struggling in a 39x23 when I used to use a 42x19 and be perfectly happy with it?" Or focusing on a particular part of the pedal stroke. Or not cramping.

I have to admit that sometimes I get into the "Are we there yet?" mentality, especially about 2 hours into a 6 hour ride, knowing I'll be climbing for the next 2 hour. Or an hour into a two hour climb.

I just realized something. I do my long rides an hour at a time. I must have a 1 hour attention span.

cdr

some of my rides are zen...some are PT/ipod.

i agree with not thinking about anything when riding solo. if i do get board usually ill try new routes, new areas to ride. I also work on my form and look at the scenery when the time is right. But for some reason after the two hour mark when i look down to get a bottle or to strech my neck i look at my left foot go in circles, usually focusing on the base of the cleat or spindle. Its really cool but its really weird at the same time. guys should give it a try some time. haha

If I am thinking, I am not training.

So, nobody really has a reason to get bored while training.

i get bored only if I don't have a goal in mind.

Boredom? If you are past age 10, that's an interesting mental choice.

Not as stimulated as you once were about one of your regular routes? Ok.

Now in my 8th week training after 5 years of bicycle retirement, my 4 and 5 hour rides fill my mind with challenges, scenery, plans, working on my breathing, other.

When I'm really working hills are hard intervals, my mind really gets free. Photo is of one of my most "boring" routes...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2680353218_0b455159e3_b.jpg

When riding solo, I'm using one ear bud on my iPod this season and it's a great distractor / motivator.

As for taking in the scenery, I must admit that I rarely do. It's not that I'm working too hard, it's just that I zone out while being singularly focused on riding. I lose myself cycling. I just get on the bike and pedal. I have no need to solve the worlds' problems for me. It's quiet time for my brain.

Yeah, I get bored sometimes on rides, but that's what happens sometimes. The worst part is when I'm an hour and a half from home, I'm tired and I just want to be back, makes the last bit awful

Yeah, I get bored sometimes on rides, but that's what happens sometimes. The worst part is when I'm an hour and a half from home, I'm tired and I just want to be back, makes the last bit awful

The question was how can you get bored?

Meh, my bad. For me it's doing the same couple routes/roads over and over. There are really only a couple spots to get hills in within riding/reasonable driving distance. So to do a long ride I basically have a small number of possible routes. And I ride enough where I can wear out quite a few routes.