Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Motivation....

I was very tired this morning and in no mood for a ride (I moonlight late on Fridays and Saturdays). But the bike kept staring at me. And the girls were hungry... So I strapped on the helmet, rolled up my jeans, put on my Izumi's, grabbed my messenger bag, and clicked in... Took the long way to Fresh & Easy. No mega hills, but plenty of rollers. Pushed my bike through the isles, grabbed my groceries, and headed home--the long way again (well, long for me anyway....). 3.8 miles later, I'm home, and feeling beat. 15 minutes later, I'm sipping on cold water and feeling great!

Glad I grabbed the bike and not the keys to the F250. And I didn't feel like such a nerd pushing the bike around Fresh & Easy like I might have at Albertson's... :)

That's flipping fantastic. Some days it's just too tough, then one overcomes it and poof you don't know how you could have done things any different. It's times like that in which I store them to help me through the next tough spot. Good job.

sometimes all it takes is those first few pedal strokes....

I did a hard short ride yesterday and really didn't feel like riding today, but I did.
Once I got going it was great, easy 40, under four hours.

I find that the getting ready is half the battle. Once I clear the end of the street
I really don't want to stop.

Keep going, there are no limits! Only in your mind!

That's awesome :) Thanks for sharing!

I drove to the grocery store, bought a 8 inch lemon merangue pie and ate it all at once, sitting in front of the TV.

I hate bad days when I feel like doing nothing, the bike starring thing, I always give up and ride. Nothing feels better than gliding through the air. Oh and cycling for groceries isn't that bad at all, its a great gas saver, especially in these gas gauging times.

BTW, on bad days when your body tells you to stop, its better to listen to it and your own head. I just go with the flow and do what my body and mind tells me. I ride when I feel like it and have motivation to, cycling is all about fun and exercise for me.

You just discovered the secret to weight loss, "doing it" even when you don't feel like it! It's true you don't want to burn out but there is a difference between your body needing rest and "just not feeling like it". Every time I go out for a run or a cycle I feel 20x better afterwards.

Thanks folks--and the "just do it" part is so spot on. Flew in from Seattle yesterday, got through some terrible traffic and a crazy shuttle driver--and wanted to sit in front of the tv on the couch. Instead, I put on my shorts/bib, jeans and a jersey over that, laced-up my Izumis, and out I went. only managed about 5 miles (it was late), but my average speed was 11.5 (some hills) and I got a decent sweat--it felt good.

I plan to do this day in and day out, incrementally, until it becomes a habit, and a "20-miler" is just a normal ride... :)

Glad I grabbed the bike and not the keys to the F250. And I didn't feel like such a nerd pushing the bike around Fresh & Easy like I might have at Albertson's... :)

For an 8 mile ride, you just saved about $30 in gas. :D

For an 8 mile ride, you just saved about $30 in gas. :D

And maybe some trees? LOL!! I'm going to try and substitute the bike wherever I can. I won't go so far as to buy a cargo rack or anything, but if the errand is within 10 miles, and whatever I need can fit in my messenger bag, I'm gonna try to ride it...

And maybe some trees? LOL!! I'm going to try and substitute the bike wherever I can. I won't go so far as to buy a cargo rack or anything, but if the errand is within 10 miles, and whatever I need can fit in my messenger bag, I'm gonna try to ride it...

I got a $10 backpack at Wally Wally and have made three round trips to the store to get all the stuff I needed,, it is about a four
mile ride. Just right to get a good work out and save a $$!

I got a $10 backpack at Wally Wally and have made three round trips to the store to get all the stuff I needed,, it is about a four
mile ride. Just right to get a good work out and save a $$!

Repeat trips?!?!? I never would have considered that! Good stuff! I think I'll head to the market tonight and do it in two trips--first dairy, then veggies! LOL!

BTW, I have blinky lights for front and rear, but I might try to get a more substantial headlight so that the darkness is not such a limiting factor. I'm okay if I head to the store or something (plenty of street lights); but if I head out the "long way" (towards the reservoir and up my nemesis hill...), It gets pretty dark--and the blinky pale circle in front of the bike just doesn't do it for me...

I did a repeat trip yesterday. On Monday, at lunch, I took a walk around the neighborhood I work at, and found a wallet. It was a couple blocks from the address on the ID, so I took it back, but its owner doesn't live there any more. Left some messages with my phone number, saying "I found your wallet, and I'd like to return it." There was a social security card and a bunch of cash inside, so I didn't feel comfortable putting it back down on the side of the road. Yesterday, I forgot to bring it in to work with me. I biked in, to lunch, and home, coming to about 17 miles. Walked my cat, had a meal, then I biked the wallet back up near where I work and returned it. Good exercise, and good karma.

By the way, a cargo rack is really handy. You can probably get one on Craigslist for around $15 to $20 with some patience. It's a lot more comfortable than a backpack. And with a plastic shopping bag and a small clip, or with some bungee cords, you can bring a jacket, or a lunch, or whatever. If you go for a night ride, take the long way home, and want to stop at the reservoir to enjoy the view or whatever, you'll go from being warm from your own exercise to maybe wanting another layer.

I was really sore today. Not from riding but maybe my 1/2 mile run yesterday. And then it was raining...
Really was not in the mood to ride but I knew I needed it.
I got my gear on and headed out. Legs we in pain the first half mile. I almost turned around.

But then even though it was really wet, I still had a great 15 mile ride!
I need to get some pants and maybe a goretex jacket. It was fun. The rain was refreshing!

I was really sore today. Not from riding but maybe my 1/2 mile run yesterday. And then it was raining...
Really was not in the mood to ride but I knew I needed it.
I got my gear on and headed out. Legs we in pain the first half mile. I almost turned around.

But then even though it was really wet, I still had a great 15 mile ride!
I need to get some pants and maybe a goretex jacket. It was fun. The rain was refreshing!

Awesome! That is exactly what I'm talking about! I got home very late last night and missed my ride, but I hae my gear lined-up and will go out for a bit when I get home tonight...