I'd like to start a conversation about how you overcome cycling slumps. To be honest, I'm in the midst of one right now. The combination of that horrendous California heat wave and a bad summer cold (plus a few personal issues) got me off the bike and into a slump. I doubt I've ridden twenty miles in the past two weeks!

I never see anyone talking about this on the Forum, but I have to believe you (or most of you!) go through slumps as well. What do you do to get over them? I know the quick answer is "get on your bike and ride!" but that begs the question.

When the heat wave hit, it was absolutely miserable. I don't have a/c, so I spent most nights tossing, turning, and sweating. Never got much rest. The idea of getting out and riding in that heat was NOT compelling to me. Perhaps the lack of rest and exercise is how i got the cold, and when that hit, I was NOT up for a bike ride!

Now it's cooled off, and I rode a little last night (and lost my virginity, as you know), and today I tooled over to the Post Office (woohoo -- 1.5 miles round trip!). But I still feel weird. The slump's not over.

For the past year, I've ridden 3-4 times a week, enjoyed it immensely, just like all of you. Had some personal bests, but mostly, just had fun.

But right now, getting on a bike for a long ride just seems like too much trouble. Maybe it's just a matter of waiting it out; the slump will pass. But perhaps you'd be willing to share your own stories about your slumps and how you overcame them.

Am I making any sense? Am I alone in this?