Kindaslow

I go through phases when I bike less and hike more, and phases when I bike a ton and hike a little. Sounds like you are still getting good exercise. Be proud of yourself for that, relax, and do what you are enjoying. If biking is a passion n, the joy will return.

dannwilliams

I've always used winter to change it up a bit, by hiking, xc skiing, snow shoeing... For me, it renews and refreshes me, and gets me ready for spring. I still get in an occasional ride outside, but not a priority in the winter months. Works for me!

DaveQ24

Thanks guys. I have been doing extra swim workouts, which is nice. But I'm going to make a real effort to go home tonight, get my gear and clothes around, and ride early in the morning tomorrow, even if it's just 10-15 miles (less than 10 isn't worth it, IMHO, takes longer to get ready to ride <=10 than it does to ride <=10). Hopefully I can do 20 - that is about my limit for the next few weeks on Saturdays only because I am taking my dog to a training class on Saturday mornings at the local middle school.

jack pot 

OLD people on 2 wheels are curiosities to cagers ... i'm OLD ... i still ride ( tour ) a Z1000 moto and bike as much as possible ... it doesn't get easier but what was once taken for granted now gives Xtra satisfaction

BlazingPedals

Every spring I have to force myself to start riding again in the evenings. After a long winter of not riding, I have to change my whole evening routine. But after a few weeks, it gets easier and pretty soon I feel antsy if I can't do them.

HBCruiser1

I'm with Rick on this one, 2015 was a big year for me and after having a lingering sickness for too long in 2016, I had a very slow start until I signed up for the local Cool Breeze Century climbing ride. It was a pretty stout step up for me especially in elevation so I got super motivated to get out and ride. I had a couple of goals for the beginning of this year that would have dragged me out, but family stuff thwarted one of them and I'm again getting a slow start. A potential opportunity to do a 300km brevet in early April may be just what I need to push me out there!

I'm still wanting to get out midweek for an evening ride but it's been cold (for us!) and wet and it's just too easy to say "next week".

A riding partner is often huge as well. I know a few years ago I had one and when one was on the fence the other was gung ho, so I rode more than not just because I didn't want to be "that guy" to back out.

Good luck. I think your battle is one we all face, often. The fix is getting on the bike. Once I'm on I'm so glad I'm on! Like many things, it's the mental not physical battles that are the toughest.

DaveQ24

@Rick@OCRR - had the same thought, I'll probably sign up for the Tour de Cure again in early June, and at least one or two other events for the summer. Thought about signing up for a May Tri close to my house, but I can't deal with extremely cold lake water, and they are predicting a colder, later spring than normal.

@HBCruiser1 - I would love to find a riding partner, but unfortunately, my schedule just never meshes with anyone else's. But never say never.

GTBruiser

Burn out. I went through burn out when I was doing a lot of touring, endurance and some competitive riding. I didn't feel bad or sad, just, all of a sudden, not very interested. I was riding a bunch and no longer truly enjoying it.

One day, from a curb, I picked up an abandoned, old, Schwinn frame and spent some time making a working bicycle from it. When finished, I realized that I just wanted to ride casually, running errands, to and from work, through the neighborhood, to the pub, visiting friends, to church etc. I eventually donated that old Varsity, but, just last week found an exact copy of that frame and turned it into the old bike's doppelgänger.

My "tastebuds" just changed. I needed to change my "type" of riding as I now am practically glued to my legion of bicycle seats/pedals/handlebars casually riding around my city, rain, snow, sun, cold or hot. Weather has never been a deterrent, except, tornadoes and ice/sleet. I don't regret the change, but, I know, everyone has their own situation.

Long story short: I was burned out, lost interest, and needed a change. Nothing wrong with change. There are no life rules that say you have to keep doing the same thing.

canklecat

I'm trying to resist that antsy feeling from not riding. Now that I've gotten into the habit it's harder to take a couple of days off even when I need to.

After falling and banging up my ribs on the 5th I've ridden three times -- 4, 10 and 20 miles -- and while the pain wasn't too bad during the rides it was excruciating that night and the next day.

Probably overdoing it when I should rest. And I'm going to the clinic tomorrow. Usually I wouldn't bother since there isn't much they can do about bruised or broken ribs, but the pain should have subsided a bit by now, more than a week later.

stoplight

Yep, this

Sounds like you are just mentally beat down or bored with the riding thing. You are doing plenty of other exercise, riding is not the end all be all. Exercise ought to be something you enjoy and look forward to and is half the equation. The other half might just be accepting where you are, is...where you are, adjust and move on.

That said
My experience has been mental fatigue is head and shoulders more complicated and difficult to overcome then physical fatigue. Physical fatigue feels good, replenishes the soul while the body repairs itself. Mental fatigue is a thief in the night, robbing you of motivation and inspiration to challenge your physical self. Acceptance and distance may reignite your desire to ride again.

OldsCOOL

When spring weather arrives the childhood passions to ride are reignited. How about making your rides less strenuous? Do it for fun. Ride to outlying towns to rediscover the interest of exploring new places? Change up the routes. Plan a trip, toss in a new bike, trim the routine.

BlazingPedals

With temps in the mid-40s and the sun out, I rushed home, threw on my bike duds, and did a quick... 5 miles. The sun was just going behind the trees when I rolled back in the driveway. I hate winter.

TimothyH

I agree with the people who say don't fight it.

Maybe take up trail running or something else that interests.

I took off cycling for a few years and took Salsa dancing lessons.


-Tim-

DaveQ24

Thanks for this, I appreciate it. You are right, it is a mental more than physical thing. I had a Dr's appt yesterday with a lot of routine labs plus some more specific ones they run to monitor my anemia,, when results come I believe everything will be in acceptable levels. And controlling that is simple - remember to take iron, get regular B12 shots, take other oral B vitamins. No big deal there.

So it's really not physical other than ... aging??? Yikes ... maybe I'm just at a point where I can't handle the pace as well as I did.

That being said, exercise has been a big thing in my life for a lot of years, because it's really the only effective way I control my weight and blow off a lot of stress. And I really do love doing it, it's a godsend, and I'm definitely not bored with it - in fact, been really enjoying pushing myself in the pool lately, which is something else I've neglected for a while.

So this -- I'm going to sign up for a few events - charity rides or races - so I have a reason why I need to get back out there. And try to plan a good Saturday ride this weekend, weather here is going to unbelievable for February, more like early April, so they say.

FrenchFit 

Really? It seems entirely logical, genuine to me.

I am having a blast riding a ridiculous crank forward cruiser now on 20 miles r/ts, (and running 3-4 times a week). I have six nice bikes that are perma-parked, and I used to be an avid day and nighttime rider, at least a metric century every week. Hey, preferences change; we are not computers apps. I am getting a better core and upper thigh workout on that cruiser, sipping a Starbuck flat white on the way to the gym, maximizing fun and not miles.

And...there is something wrong, illogical with this because it breaks with past practices?

Maybe you're finding cold riding to be boorish & unpleasant. Most do....