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What really works to get you excited about cycling?

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What really works to get you excited about cycling?

Old 04-12-13, 03:55 PM
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What really works to get you excited about cycling?

Been off the wheels too long. Some minor maintenance needed to ride: either A- assemble wheels, or B-get new pedals and install them. Can't figure out a safe way to store the bikes in the garage. No center post to anchor them to so they don't walk off if the garage door is accidently left open too long. {There's a fairly big public building across the street that the garages opens to the main parking lot entrance**

But the big issue, is not feeding the burn to get out there. I know I should but should of, could of, might have is just not working. Morning rides, ala self generated commutes would probably work best for me, but no excitement. It's too much of: been there, done that, is that all there is?

So hopefully one of you has some words of wisdom.
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Old 04-12-13, 04:27 PM
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I wish I could offer some words that would help. My desire seldom wanes and when it does it is for very short periods. As William Glasser suggests in his book "Positive Addiction" I'm an addict to something positive. I can't go very long without being on a bicycle.
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Old 04-12-13, 04:27 PM
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my bike and the thought of being out riding is what mostly motivates me to get out and ride.
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Old 04-12-13, 07:04 PM
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I rode a bike in college (waaay back then) because it was all I could afford for transportation. Turn the clock forward almost 40 years and I started walking because of high cholesterol. Then hiking. Then running. Then backpacking. Then ... I bought my first bike in 40 years but for pleasure not simply transportation. And now I'm totally hooked. I'd rather ride my bike than do any of those other things (although I still do them too). I don't know what it is. Maybe it's because I can "saddle up" at my house and ride all over the countryside. Or I can take my bike to work and get in a quick ride at the end of the day. Or I can take a long weekend credit card tour with friends. Or that a couple of days ago I had "one of those rides" where everything just fell together for one of the best rides I've had in a long time. Or when I drive around my county I see roads I haven't ridden ... yet. For me, those are all motivators to get back out and ride some more ... year-around ... rain or shine.
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Old 04-12-13, 07:38 PM
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I would have to say that it is probably the endorphins one gets from riding. I find them fairly addicting till I get to the point where I have overtrained and am a bit sore. It's very similar to what I have heard described as the "runners high". I also get some motivation from posting the latest ride to my riders log spreadsheet and comparing it to last years totals mileage and average speeds.

I also do some riding just for leisure and there it is the ability to get to and from cultural activities without hassling traffic and parking problems. Since I live near the intersection of a number of bike paths, I can get to a lot of events without spending much time on public streets.

Now is a good time of year to get back into riding. I would advise riding often if not necessarily very long to start off with. Find a low hassle route that you can do near your home that doesn't take to long and ride it more days than not. Sooner or later you will probably find yourself at the end of the ride thinking that I could do more of that. Go from there!
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Old 04-12-13, 07:58 PM
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A nice warm day about 80 degrees and no wind. I ride solo a lot, and that is where I do my best thinking.
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Old 04-12-13, 08:27 PM
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Its better than driving.
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Old 04-12-13, 08:47 PM
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For the last few years, I have set a mileage goal early in the year. Working toward that goal keeps me going. I ride at night during the winter (no daylight saving time), and that is an interesting experience. Riding also helps me with the stress from my job.
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Old 04-12-13, 08:50 PM
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I'm in it for the babes. Especially bents. Bents are chick magnets.
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Old 04-12-13, 10:32 PM
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Maybe you need to join a club or form a group to ride with regularly. Fellow riders can help provide that little pick-me-up when you need it. Besides, once a date is made you're committed and I find that even on those rare occasions when I don't really feel like riding, once I'm on the bike all is right with the world.

If you're one of those folks who like to have a goal/challenge/performance metric, you might look into Mix Mondays to see if there are still folks organizing time trials up Mix Canyon or check into the weekly time trial on Putah Creek Rd. Red Rider should have info on that one since she was riding it regularly last year. If you are near the Nut Tree, then you are close enough to those informal events to ride to them.
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Old 04-12-13, 10:42 PM
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Sell your car or freeze your keys in a block of ice, or put them in a bank vault. Having no choice about whether to bike or not makes the decision easy.
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I don't care if you are on a unicycle, as long as you're not using a motor to get places you get props from me. We're here to support each other. Share ideas, and motivate one another to actually keep doing it.
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Old 04-13-13, 06:31 AM
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The time I spend riding is therapy, both for my psyche and body. I have arthritis and cycling is the best exercise for my joints. If I don't ride every day I feel I have cheated myself out of the pleasure.
The satisfaction I get from restoring and upgrading my vintage Treks is second only to taking one out for a test ride.
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Old 04-13-13, 06:57 AM
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Diabetes is my biggest motivator...riding helps me keep diabetes' devastating complications at bay. No one dies of diabetes, it is the complications resulting from diabetes that will kill a person.

Suffering while on the bike is my second motivator. The sufferfest helps me keep my soul healthy, my mind clear and my attitude positive.

OP, you need to find your own motivator(s). It is all about YOU and, of course, the bike.

Ride safely !
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Old 04-13-13, 07:21 AM
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I find having the bikes inside the house looking at me asking me "when are you taking me out to play" works for me. And there is remembering how much better I feel when I'm on the bike, and last but not least, keeping the diabetes in check.
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Old 04-13-13, 07:27 AM
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As soon as I start a ride the rewards and positive feelings begin. It is just plain fun to me for some reason. It is a type of play that is linked to the enjoyment of motion.
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Old 04-13-13, 07:49 AM
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Warm weather motivates me. Of course it's been a cold spring here. Music is a good thing to stick in my ear when I don't feel the motivation. Wouldn't do that if I didn't have the mirror on my glasses though. Everybody is different, but I like to go places I've never been with the bike. Different scenery. That motivates me to ride. Maybe get a different bike if it fits the plans. Or have a goal to work toward. Partners to ride with can make it a social event. Or try a different type of riding. Mountain, touring, fixed etc. etc. Or maybe it's time to di some other form of exercise for a while until the passion returns.
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Old 04-13-13, 08:32 AM
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"What really works to get you excited about cycling?"

A new bike. Short of that, new gear or kit that I really want to test out.

Also, setting some challenging goals and trying to meet them--mileage, average speed, no. of days ridden, whatever--is another good motivator for me.
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Old 04-13-13, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by HiYoSilver
Been off the wheels too long. Some minor maintenance needed to ride: either A- assemble wheels, or B-get new pedals and install them. Can't figure out a safe way to store the bikes in the garage. No center post to anchor them to so they don't walk off if the garage door is accidently left open too long. {There's a fairly big public building across the street that the garages opens to the main parking lot entrance**This one is simple you need a new bike!

But the big issue, is not feeding the burn to get out there. I know I should but should of, could of, might have is just not working. Morning rides, ala self generated commutes would probably work best for me, but no excitement. It's too much of: been there, done that, is that all there is?

So hopefully one of you has some words of wisdom.
This one is simple you need a new bike!
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Old 04-13-13, 09:07 AM
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Perhaps it doesn't get me excited, but knowing I'll feel better about everything after having ridden often helps overcome my inertia.
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Old 04-13-13, 01:58 PM
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I can't understand why there are so many guys who don't bicycle.
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Old 04-13-13, 02:05 PM
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My addiction to cycling keeps me motivated to ride. Put a bike in front of me and I'm off on a ride. I actually get upset with myself if I have a day where I can get out and ride and don't.
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Old 04-13-13, 04:03 PM
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Retro has one reason... I have had difficulty getting out this winter. I commute and have no problems with motivation. The benefits are so obvious. But I NEED my weekend longer mileage rides and the weather and lack of riding partners slows down my desire to do the extra rides. Sometimes I can get 25 to 50 miles in without partners. But the social aspect is good and needed. My job can get stressful and the friends I ride with pick me up and keep me interested in bikes and life in general. I hope all you riders find what makes you happy in cycling. Blues Frog
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Old 04-14-13, 07:51 AM
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Well, thank you all. Nothing has popped out so far. It used to be visions of a new bike or time goals would be motivation. I now have a great second bike. Timing rides used to work but now that I don't have to commute I don't. The timing reached a flat line and doesn't change. Not dead but not fast just so-so. In the past if I push it, then I start having tendon issues with right leg. I've tried a couple of group rides, but those have been of the road racing type and 1- don't like the pack riding, 2- wrong bikes for pack riding. I'll have to see if any rides that are not close formation rides. I could drive 60 miles to ride on sat's with brother in law, but he's often too competitive when it's just the 2 of us. He group rides 3x a week so big fitness mismatch.

It's the start of swim season so will be getting a slight bit better, but it's hard when had not worked out in forever.
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Old 04-14-13, 07:58 AM
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Old 04-14-13, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by HiYoSilver
. . . So hopefully one of you has some words of wisdom.
Wisdom? Well, maybe. Or not.

My personal trick is to just start riding whether I feel like it or not. Once in motion I often mix things up with different routes, speeds and attitudes. There must have been times I regretted riding rather than not but I don't remember them.

In your shoes, I'd probably begin by getting the bike in shape and installing a cage or firmly fixed rack or something in the garage. That would make the "just start riding" part much easier!
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