Originally Posted by
bampilot06
I think initially it was over training, from there is was frustration after frustration that kept stone walling me. From there I basically rode at zone 1 for a year which didn’t help. Then when I started training again, I couldn’t accept the fact I had regressed so was trying to do more than I physically could do and not understanding why I couldn’t do it.
Waking up at 3 am finally caught up to me, but it’s a catch 22. Traffic has picked up tremendously since we moved to Williamsburg, to the point I don’t feel safe if isn’t super early.
Riding solo all the time finally caught up to me. Have done one group ride in 2 years……
Route fatigue. Tired of the roads I have available to me, and the routes where I feel safe. Colonial Parkway is still closed to yorktown, going on 2 years.
Finally realized I won’t be able to race, not for a long time. What I want to do and what I realistically can do because of family and work are 2 different things. I kept adding to my “want” calendar when realistically I couldn’t do it. Led to a lot of anger and frustration. So once I accepted the fact I can’t race, I can’t do group rides etc kind of led to a massive what the f am I doing this for.
Have not gotten blood work done. Prolly, should but otherwise I feel fine. Just no motivation on the bike.
An activity that's both physically and mentally taxing and trying to squeeze it in between work and other obligations is obviously a challenge. Burn out is real, can hit us when we least expect it. As you know, I've never raced but have done thousands of group rides where I am usually at the back or off the back. I've been frustrated and sick of it and just thinking about quitting many times. Lucky for me I've had friends who are supportive and say they don't mind waiting, even when they do.
I've also taken breaks from the groups and just gone solo and not pushed myself. Also got away from the road bike when really burned out and done fun mtb rides.
Other people I know have hit a wall when racing or getting obsessed with a million feet of climbing or the most double centuries or even the fastest club rider. I think once it's no longer fun or enjoyable and becomes a chore it's time to change something.