Wooden Tiger

First, I'm going to start off by mentioning this is NOT a competition or open invitation for flame wars as we all have our own preferences, but more about the motivation or lack thereof. Secondly, this is probably going to be a pretty long post, so...yeah.

Back in 2010 my wife and I got MTBs and wound up joining a club about three weeks later when we saw an ad in the paper for a local club event. We showed up, met the members, and decided to join. The people in the club were cool, enthusiastic, friendly, etc. In fact, we still belong, yet haven't really participated in any events since early 2011 and pretty much "see" our friends from the club on FB. They're far more competitive than either Rachel or I, so I guess we just don't have much in common, but nonetheless, they're great people and we don't mind sending our annual $20 their way.

Most of the people in the club are into some serious roading and after trying it out on our MTBs, we were encouraged by the experience to buy roadies, so we did. We continued to participate in a few weekly rides on public roads and quickly developed a distaste for the obvious reasons; rude motorists, the dangers, etc.

Over the past few years, our "roading" has turned into strictly riding on bike paths, which is fine, but the nearest path is pretty much nothing more than a slab of asphalt in the middle of approximately 15 miles of desolate field along the side of a major highway, not to mention NO shaded areas for a rest. We may as well be riding in the middle of Death Valley during summer months.

In 2011 we lost all motivation for biking as we'd fallen into a lazy routine and the summer months seemed substantially hotter than the previous year. For 2012, we decided we were going to pick up the pace and make a better effort to get back into riding. In April 2012, after a single ride, we were rearended in an auto accident and lost our MTBs. Due to injuries, we were off the bikes for yet another season.

Enter 2013. We got replacement MTBs back in February and I have been trying to get out along the C&O Canal, which is a gravel/dirt/light rock path whenever the opportunity arises. Thus far, I've logged over 230 miles. Rachel has been out a few times as well, making some time after getting home from work in the evenings. It's been nice getting out to the C&O for some evening rides.

Thus far, we've gone out for some actual single track TWICE this year. We've loved it. Our new MTBs are vast improvements over our first ones. They climb better, are quicker, roll over obstacles better (29ers vs. 26ers), and the experiences have been wonderful. Rachel and I are finding ourselves more confident this year than on our previous MTBs and I find myself challenging my abilities instead of just "throwing in the towel" as I used to. These days, when I see a large hill, I don't just say, "No, I can't make it," and walk my bike up the hill, but instead, I try to do it. Some of the times I've amazed myself. It's the same story with obstacles, I actually try some of them instead of just avoiding them.

Last weekend I had a fantastic day on the trails. I conquered obstacles and climbed hills I never thought I could, but something else I never expected happened; I felt like I was 12-13 years old again; instant flashback. There I stood in front of an obstacle, contemplating, analyzing, and being very apprehensive about trying it, just the same as when I jumped "Devil's Pit" at the local park with all my neighborhood friends watching and egging me on or encouraging me to do it, but only this time, it was my fearful wife watching, camera phone in hand, waiting to catch my "moment of glory" on "film." I looked at the obstacle and after "dancing around," I decided to just say, "What the hell....," and took off straight for it. I stumbled a few times over it the first time, nearly face planting three times, but I was determined to "get it." When I finally achieved my goal, it wasn't enough. Then, I had to "get it" from the opposite side, which I did.

Achieving my goal was the first true moment of victory I'd felt within the past 26-27 years of my life. It wasn't the same feeling of satisfaction as say, getting engaged or getting married, but I'm talking about the first real feeling of personal victory. Yeah, I'd made the all-star team as a kid and was the starting forward on the basketball team, but my dad was the coach; see where I'm heading with this? I never scored more than seven points in a basketball game, scored a single goal in two years of playing soccer, or even got on base one time in an entire season (strikeout king), yet I made the all-star team. Yeah, I have team trophies for "Second Place" and a few all-star trophies, but I'm no dummy, I know EXACTLY why I have those trophies and it wasn't because I was a great ball player.

Last week was a true victory for me. I didn't make the all-star team because "Daddy" was the coach, I "made the all-star team" because I did it all on my own. Last week's accomplishment was a trophy I won't ever be able to set on the mantle, and that's okay, though I'd really like to go out and buy one for myself! The overall feeling was just so incredible, I can't even put it into words...

We rode home in silence and all I could think was, "Welcome home. Now I remember why I was so passionate about riding that GT Pro Performer and jumping Devil's Pit." While I remembered how I enjoyed riding and really loved it, I totally forgot about that rush or just the basking in constant moments of glory, the feelings of a huge passion for something, and just pure, unmatched bliss.

It's been five days since I've ridden my epic ride and I can't help but think to myself, "I never want to ride a road bike again; EVER." Here, we both have these nice roadies and I just can't motivate myself to get on it; just last week and a few weeks prior, I was talking about upgrading to a different gear ratio, swapping wheels, etc., and now, I don't even care. Simply put, my road bike will probably serve as nothing more than a dust collector.

I need a kickstart. I need to find some motivation for riding my roadie and I just can't. I think it's very clear where my heart lies but I want to enjoy riding the roadie. I want to feel like I'm doing more than just exercising when I'm on the roadie. When I get on my MTB, I'm "at home," but when I'm on the roadie, I feel like I may as well be sitting on a stationary at Gold's Gym.

I really need some encouragement or tips to enjoying my roadie again, because as of right now, it's looking like nothing more than an Ab-Lounge to me.

chasm54

It doesn't sound as if you ever enjoyed riding on the road. Does it matter? It's not for everyone, and there's little point in my explaining how much I enjoy it if you (I quote) "quickly developed a distaste" for the activity. Frankly, if I felt I could only ride on bike paths, I wouldn't bother either.

So, what's the problem? You enjoy the mountain bike, so enjoy it. The only thing I would say is that if your distaste for road cycling is based on your perception that it is dangerous, you're pretty much mistaken about that. Despite all the publicity given to the casualties, the statistics show that road cycling is actually a rather safe activity.

krobinson103

The challenges of road cycling are different. I like mtbs, but I like riding a really long way in a short time more. I like climbing steep hills and getting to the top thinking "that was easy - do it again". I actually perceive the opposite. On single track if it gets hairy all I can think of are broken bones. Each ride has its own challenges and rewards. Give the road a chance. Its not as bad as you think.

Neil_B

Ride what you want to ride, the way you want to ride it. Sell the road bike or let it gather dust.

MattFoley

Well, if you want to motivate yourself, find a challenging road ride and sign up for it. Not only will it help to have a specific ride to train for, but not wanting to waste the money you spent on registration will be a motivator as well

The Civil War Century is coming up in September. It's a decently challenging ride (7k feet of climbing), but not so bad that you need to train all year for it...and best of all, the rides you're doing on your MTB will be a big help...so just start mixing in road rides to get some miles on the legs and you'll be good to go.

cplager

Hi Dan,

I know you were having issues with the gearing on your road bike. That would be enough for me to mess up the experience.

If it's the bike getting in your way, then figure out away around that (and being hunched over a road bike isn't for me; I don't see any shame if it isn't for you). How about a second set of tires for the MTB so you could easily ride it on the roads. There's nothing that says you have to ride a road bike on the road.

When someone says "Hey, riding this bike is great!" then maybe it's worth trying it out. But if it doesn't work for you, go back to what does.

If it's not the bike and you really just prefer riding off road, then just ride off road. Life's short. Biking is supposed to make you happy.

Cheers,
Charles

Wooden Tiger

Well, I'm not really talking about it being bad, I just need some motivation to get out and ride the roadie. I need to find something of interest in road biking.

The problem is that I spent a good bit of cash on the roadie and I want to like it and find it interesting. I don't mind riding paths, I just don't like the one nearby at all. Unfortunately, the next closest one is 45 minutes away, which is actually quite a pleasant ride. I just need to find something to be enthusiastic about when it comes to riding the roadie.

Wooden Tiger

Hey Charles, it's not even only the issue of not really liking the gearing, it's just that I'd like to feel like I'm doing something more than simply exercising. I really do like the bike but just find roading uninteresting. I just find myself kinda pedaling along with nowhere to go or nothing to see. When I'm on the MTB, I feel like I'm getting more out of it than exercise.

I do have a set of hybrid tires for my MTB and they're great, and while they do a fantastic job on the asphalt, I just really want a different experience for the asphalt than a MTB. I guess what I'd really like is to ride around on the roadie from time to time, see things, and just enjoy the ride, for the lack of better terms. I don't want to be thinking about exercising or something, I wanna feel more like I'm "sight-seeing on wheels."

Neil_B

You just described why I'm a bike tourist and not a 'real cylist.' I once aspired to be a roadie, and then I realized its basically riding a trainer with the wind in your face.

SeanBlader

If you're not an explorer, sightseer, or speed freak, then it doesn't make much sense in being on a roadbike. If there's an excellent sense of accomplishment and challenge on the Mountain bike, definitely keep on with it! Ditch those roadies and stick to the dirt dude. I'm sure you'll come to find your favorite things to accomplish and there will always be a next challenge. Just go looking on YouTube for some of the amazing/crazy stuff that Mountain Bikers will do, either in the hills flying through the air, or riding on 2x4's, or in the city, jumping down and up on retaining walls and what have you. That will get you fit doing fun stuff like that.

chasm54

For most people, that's what road cycling is. If that's what you'd like to do, I'm afraid I can't see what's stopping you. Just being on a road bike doesn't make it compulsory to do interval training...

Wooden Tiger

Neil, what you just said couldn't have been said any better. This is EXACTLY how I feel. The problem is that I WANT to enjoy riding my roadie. I just can't seem to figure out WHY I don't.

Good points, Sean, and the nice thing about the MTB on the streets is that if I see something that looks "interesting" to climb or something, I can.

I do love speed, and I do like to explore. I want to feel like every ride is an adventure, even if it's in circles around my basement.

This is true, but see, I don't want roading to just be a "fitness thing." The problem is that I don't even know what I want out of roading. What am I looking for? I don't even know. Maybe I just need to plan myself a route around a local battlefield (lots around here) and just sight-see a little bit, read the plaques, signs, and what have you, and just kinda make an adventure of some type out of it. Then, maybe I'll feel like I'm doing something besides exercising.

If you were to ask me what I wanted out of a roading experience, I couldn't tell you, but I COULD tell you what I DIDN'T want out of it. Maybe instead of bringing my MTB up to my parents' when we visit (I ride with my dad), I should bring the roadie...

chefisaac

Maybe touring is your game.

goldfinch

You paid money for the road bike so dang it, you better use it and like it!

But you don't like it.

We all make decisions we regret. Sell the bike and do what you love. Or, put it away and see if the mood strikes you later on.

jethro56 

I think I understand where you're coming from. I have a lightweight road bike and a Cyclocross bike set-up as a light touring bike. The Cyclocross is much more comfortable and can handle most any road surface. It has a rack, fenders and lights so I can carry cold refreshments, food, tools, rain coat. I went out on all day trips on it many times. I really like exploring with it. With the road bike I feel like I need to ride it fast. I want to be putting a lot of power into the pedals and really get the adrenalin flowing. It is the bare mininum with just a blinky, spare tube and one water bottle. With it I feel limited to riding it on smooth roads and I will not explore new areas on it. But when it comes to getting an adrenalin rush it's my go-to bike.

Wooden Tiger

And that's exactly it, I have no clue what my "game" is. I know I LOVE to ride some slick single track but I guess I want to find the equivalent on a roadie.

Neil_B

^^this!^^

jerseyJim

Flying down hills is kinda fun. Course first you have to climb them. Maybe find some cool destinations nearby and plan a ride around that. Like a scenic route along a river with a stop for lunch at a quaint cafe.

My gf and I are tired of all the out the door rides so we often throw the bikes in the car and head somewhere new. Also bike weekends are cool. One long weekend we took our bikes up to New Hampshire and we hiked up Mt Washington while we were there too. Another short trip we bike toured Washington DC and then headed over to Shenandoah National Park for some more biking and hiking.

Be creative and adventurous.

Wooden Tiger

See, that's the thing, I don't regret purchasing the bike. I like the bike. I guess the easiest way to explain it is like this; it's like broccoli. I love the way it looks. It looks fluffy, green, tasty, etc., yet when I eat it, I hate it. I really, really wanna like it because it just looks appealing to me.

I think what you just said is part of it.

It's like this with vehicles, too. I'm a hot rod fan and I've always loved going fast, racking up the Gs in corners, etc. Nowadays, I own a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. With the Jeep, every little trip feels like an adventure, even if it's to the grocery store. I'm ALWAYS entertained in the Jeep and feel like I'm going somewhere, yet it lacks every single quality present in a hot rod. The MTB is the same for me. It's not fast (actually, it is pretty quick and handles pretty well...), but damned if the thing won't go everywhere.

...And then there's the Camaro. It's fast, loud, obnoxious, rude, crude, unrefined, and just...raw. Every time I get behind the wheel I have to crack open the throttle at least once while I'm out. It's not a vehicle I want to drive on long distances. I'd like to think of the roadie as the "speed bike" or the Camaro's equivalent. The problem I'm facing is, "If I like going fast in the car and hanging corners, why don't I enjoy road biking? It's the same basic concept; fast downhills and sharp handling."

chasm54

That was my point. It doesn't have to be.

It's clear to me that you don't actually like road riding, but feel that you ought to like it. Forget about it. It's supposed to be pleasurable in itself. If that doesn't work for you, no amount of agonising about it is going to help.

HooKooDooKu

To me, it sounds like you need to discover some advetures that you can occationally use your Road bike for.

Chefisaac pointed out touring... I for years have wanted to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway (but life and distance from home has kept me from that goal).

I've been able to accomplish smaller goals. I love the Smoky Mountains, and made it a goal to one day ride my ATB from Gatlinburg to the parking lot of Clingman's Dome. Once I though I had the strength, I took two days off to "just do it".

And there are lots of challenges like that you can discover. One example would be the annual "Assault on Mt Mitchell" (https://www.freewheelers.info/assaults/index.html). It's a 102 mile ride with over 10,000' of accumulated climbing from Spartanburg, South Carolina to the top of Mt Mitchell (the highest point East of the Mississippi). This year's ride is Monday, May 20th.

Beachgrad05

It doesn't appear to me that riding a road bike is fun for you. I ride my road bike because I enjoy it...and for me...i like getting faster....riding further...getting fitter (yes, I ride in part to increase my fitness hence now having a power meter)...but what I enjoy is just that....WHAT I ENJOY...i dont expect others to enjoy all thing I do. My husband has ZERO interest in riding a bike of any sort. Different strokes...and that is OK.

The broccoli analogy stands out...liking how it looks but not how it tastes...seems you feel like you like how the road bike looks but hate how it "tastes" too...there is nothing wrong with NOT enjoying riding a road bike. You enjoy your MTB...so ride the heck out of that.

Sell road bike or not....up to you...

PhotoJoe 

I agree. Ride what you like. I would keep the road bike, though. Someday, she might start calling your name.....

Wooden Tiger

You're right, I do feel like I have to like it, and not only that, but I want to like it, I just can't get excited about it.

If you're going to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, be prepared to do a lot of climbing. If that works for you, you'll love it! The BRP is very scenic and it's probably as nice a ride on a bike as it is in a vehicle.

Yeah. I mean, maybe it's just going to be like broccoli and it's just something I'm never going to like. Maybe it's just hard for me to come to terms with it.

Yes, I'm going to keep the roadie. I really like the bike. It's comfortable, responsive, and it's just everything a decent bike is, but I just can't get excited about riding it the way I do with the MTB.

See, as a kid, BMX was my thing; I lived for it. It didn't matter the season, if it was light outside and I could see the dirt jumps (and the landings...) through the canopy of trees, I was at the park. During the summer months, I was out of the house by 6am-7am and hitting the jumps at the park. I'd come back home for lunch, and back out I went. "Rinse and repeat" for dinner. From morning til evening, I was riding my bike. I lived for it. Now, I'm back on a mountain bike and it's been a full-on addiction since February. When I'm not working or when it's not raining, I want to be on the MTB. It absolutely kills me to wait until my wife gets home so we can go out but I know if I go out earlier in the day I'm going to be spent and struggle on the later ride. Don't let me forget to mention actual MTBing by oneself is unsafe, otherwise I'd be out doing that, too.

All I wanna do anymore is MTB. I'm basically obsessed with wanting to do it. When I'm not MTBing or thinking about going MTBing, I'm playing my guitars.

Erwin8r

I, too, did a lot of BMX riding as a kid--jumping neighborhood kids, impromptu dirt tracks, massive drops, touring a friend's house a few cities over, etc. But I fell in love with motorcycling soon thereafter... and the leap to loving road bikes was next. There is a certain thrill in the self-generated speed that is akin to going down a huge hill on a BMX bike--not quite out of control, but on the verge, and just smiling from ear to ear. The other part of the allure for me is the feeling of accomplishment--knowing how "afraid" I am of large hills and then facing those fears on a proper road bike and flying down the other side. So yeah, I'd keep the road bike. You may re-ignite that whole "weeeee" thing again (mountain biking is more like a whooooaaaaaa yyyeaahhh! thing for me... and I love it too ).