LabRat2k3

Had a long (for me) ride planned for today, and while it was a little windy I just never could get into the groove. My average speed was down and I actually ended up cutting the ride short. I just didn't seem to have "it" today. The only thing that I can figure is I knew I was picking my distance up over a difficult route and just was beat in my mind before I started. Has this ever happened to any of you? I think tomorrow I'll just go ride with no real goal and see where I end up.

ragtoplvr

It happens. When I ride my normal route after dark, when I can not see the computer and the gears, I seem to average about half to 3/4th more mile per hour. I can not see how steep the hills are, what gear I am in and I seem to ride faster. I am working on that.

Rod

Dave Cutter

Certainly.... everyday isn't my best day. But not sure about the psych part ether. I live in the Midwest which means sometimes I have to take advantage of a chance to ride whether the conditions are perfect or not. That might mean forcing myself to get moving and cycling on a cold windy day.

Most of the time... once I am out there on the bike I feel great and have a great time.

But sometimes... maybe because of diet, or the sleep I got the night before, or maybe I am fighting off a cold... or one of a million other things that keep me from being at the top of my game. Those days.... I just don't have it. I cut short what was to be 20 mile ride in the wind last week. Stopped at a crossroads and the wind nearly blew me over. I already felt like the wind had beaten me up. I looked at my computer and realized I was nearly where I would be turning around anyway. I turned around and went home.

It wasn't my best ride ever.... but I still had a good time and have no regrets ether way.

LabRat2k3

Well I've thought about it and I think I just broke my first rule of riding, "Always enjoy the ride". I was thinking about distance, hills, speed, wind, being cold, and how hard the ride was going to be. I never took time to think about how lucky I was to be out on my bike. Lesson learned, I hope.

TrojanHorse

You have to listen to your body... no sense in overdoing it just to check off some imaginary box. I was out on a planned 80 mile ride Christmas eve 2012 and I gave up and called the sag wagon after 3 flats and about 55 miles.

I do think it's good to have a goal though, otherwise you won't push yourself as much. Same thing with riding a route that's just laps - it's too easy to quit. If you're still 30 miles from home, it's awful hard to stop for the day.

LabRat2k3

Went out for a easy ride today 17 miles averaged 16.8 MPH with only 630 ft of gain. It was a enjoyable ride and I kept a positive outlook the whole time. I really think I just was in the wrong mindset yesterday, just really didn't want to ride, even had my first fall in my new clipless pedals. I'll just write it off as a bad day and move forward. I do need to just listen to my body. I am trying to get ready for my first metric century at the end of next month and I think I need to not push so hard just enjoy myself and work up my distance a little at a time.

Black wallnut 

I've cut rides short. Several times I have even called LOML to come and
pick me up, both times it was mostly due to weather. Sometimes I just
jump on the bike and ride. Nearly every ride I think how blessed I am to
be able to ride.

contango 

It happens. Sometimes it's an advantage to pick a point and ride out to it, then ride home. If you've got a specific target on the way out (with a specific reason to be there) then you're more likely to focus on that rather than the fact your legs hurt, and once you've got there and turned back towards home then the option to bail isn't there because you have to get home. Just make sure your route doesn't go too near things like railway stations that could give you an easy out.

cannondale125

Wow I thought I was the only one that mind f$&:& myself. Lol!! Il be riding and start thinking I'm short of breath and guess what I mess my whole ride up and might as well turn around and go home. So to answer your question! No your not alone.

MikeRides

I almost never go out with a goal in mind nor do I watch my bike computer while I ride. That would drive me nuts, though once in awhile I'll go with a time in mind..say I've only got an hour free, I'll ride out 30 minutes and turn around. When I get home, I'll look at the numbers as I input them into my log. Usually when I continue to end up in the same place after 30 minutes, a drill sergeant voice goes of in my head to push harder on my next ride. I've had more fun on rides where I didn't concentrate on time or speed and just rode as far as I could go. It reminds me of my favorite part in the movie Forrest Gump when Forrest ran across country, because "he just felt like running." That was definitely one of the most inspirational movies I've seen.

bbeasley

Oh this is a scary one for me, it's happened a couple of times. I'm so scared I start giving myself permission to quite that I avoid it as much as possible. When it happens, I'm always in a hurry to go on another longish ride and finish it. I've got issues

RoadTire 

Coincidently I was going to post a thread today asking if anyone else felt anxious before riding, and sometimes psyching themselves out before the ride. Today I did cut my ride short, only going a third of my planned route, but only because I could feel that I wasn't ready for more and didn't want to over do it so I can ride tomorrow.