Originally Posted by
Wanderer518
I've been riding on and off all my life. Started being serious about it in 2012 when I was in-between jobs and wanted to save money and shed some weight. What motivated me back then was signing up for a annual bike race/gran fondo event, started small I think it was 35 miles then 50, up to 100 miles the last year I rode it (2018). Fast forward to 2021 I moved across country to a really car-centric area with zero cycling infrastructure, I've found some endless low trafficked rural roads but it still doesn't stop me from making excuses. I've tried giving myself incentives, for example if I rode a certain distance I'd treat myself with ice cream or an ice cold craft beer at the end or something. Since I've been dieting and working on my sobriety so the beer/ice cream incentive doesn't really work anymore, I've been thinking about treating myself to new gear if I ride every day. I'm in training to get my endurance back up to complete a sub 8hr century this fall.
You sort of answered you own question. Enter more events! Find an event out a couple of months or even in the Fall. That should give you motivation to train for the event. I try and ride at least 4 events in the summer and in fact, I have one this Saturday to start off my season. Riding in an event for me is always a great motivator. Also, if they give you a number, keep it! My wall in my TV room is now filled with about 50 of my past event numbers. It adds up. For me though, picking an event months out will get me motivated to keep riding.
Also, think about an event that maybe in a neighboring state and treat it as a small getaway. I live in SC and done events in Virginia, NC, Georgia and Florida. All overnighters or making it an entire weekend adventure. Kind of a way to see some areas that you would not normally go to.
john