I wouldn't begin to even consider trying to convince you that all-day rides are beneficial to you. You've made a fairly strong case, that for you, they are not. In terms of excitement, I've always found that change in what has become a routine is helpful. Take a trip to the Netherlands and ride around Amsterdam for a week or two. (While I suggest this more in jest than anything else, it is symbolic of what I mean by change - something really different.)

Thanks for the insights, guys. I think it is indeed partly due to weather and riding the same old routes.

Well, the way my brain works, I'll enjoy something more if I think it is "good for me." IOW, "This is tough, but it's good for me."

Wow, this is so true. It reminds me of another time I had slump, but then was prevented from riding due to some injury (Achilles tendon?). When I was back on the bike, I enjoyed it much more, and resolved to remember how lucky I am to be able to ride. Apparently I forgot that.

I've also found that training for a long ride is quite motivating. I might do a century with my daughter this summer -- if that doesn't get me going, nothing will.

Thanks,

Al,
I too can say that being forced off the bike from surgeries can truly make you want to ride, badly. However, as said by Climberguy, I cannot recommend this for you nor would I wish it on anyone, regardless.

Bill

hope for more global warming so all this GD snow will melt so I can go ride...
Bud

Well, you could try hiking.

For me, the whole point of cycling is that it is exercise that is fun. If you view it as a chore that must be done, then I'd suggest either changing your outlook, or changing what you're doing, or find something else to do instead that IS fun. (Hiking up mountains was great for me when I lived in Colorado, but that's hard to do in Dallas.) Maybe from a pure exercise standpoint, I'd get a better workout by standing in one place and jumping up and down for an hour, but who the heck wants to do that? So for me, it's a choice of cycling or sitting on the sofa eating cheetos, and if some gym workout that I'm going to do anyway is more beneficial, that's just sort of irrelevant.

One of the big attractions of my current cycling situation is that cycling has also become a social event. So I'm not just out spinning pedals all day, I'm also talking to my friends and that makes it lots more fun.

Maybe consider some different stuff- mountain biking, learn to ride a unicycle, racing- whatever it is you're not used to doing. Tandems are fun.

Riding is better than not riding. For my health, my state of mind, my mojo, etc. A person doesn't have to ride a bike to maintain all that, but I do. Not every minute of the riding is fun, but, overall, it is fun. And beneficial.
Have been in Phoenix since January 1 without a bike (or a guitar) but am looking forward to going home tomorrow so that I can be back with my bikes and have the possibility of riding. Weather permitting, of course.

Find some new roads/routes. Nothing more motivating for me than a new road. Gotta see what is around the next bend!

Short and fast rides, long and easy, it's all good. I'd take the research to mean that I won't need to feel guilty choosing one over the other depending on whim of the moment.


I have to be a little skeptical of the article's conclusions though because I don't see it in the Science Daily write-up they cited http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0405194101.htm It looks like both types of exercise are good.

Since I signed up for a century to be ridden in May, I've gotten a lot of my enthusiasm and motivation back.

Give yourself more credit, John - YOU got off the meds, nobody else - like a dr. - was responsible for that. ;)

What is it, Al, Tour of the Unknown Coast?

I think if I were signed up for it I'd have a bunch of motivation, too... Hmmmm....

Here is a sure fire way for you. [admin edit: WTH?? Really not necessary.] the cardio from cycling will help. [admin edit: A porn site is a place that would accept this kind of talk].

The Wine Country Century:

http://www.srcc.memberlodge.com/WCCRoutes

My 25 year old daughter is flying out from Kansas City, and we're riding it together.

Just imagine for a minute that you couldn't ride anymore. Injured, incapacitated or worse!!! Putting things in perspective will certainly motivate you. Sell your bikes and you will find that your energy for wanting to ride will increased exponentially.

Those times that I have no enthusiasm for cycling precede an actual ride and are usually about one of two things....it's early season and everything is "too hard" or I'm putting pressure on myself to go fast. I have found that when I go out with my gf I have less reluctance to ride. I also find that riding the trails with my cross bike does not have me feeling reluctant to ride. I think this is because the rail/trails are relatively flat and I have no need to go fast. I don't know if this bears any similarity to what you experience but perhaps? I have noticed that once I'm actually on a ride everything is fine.

Can someone convince me an all-day ride is beneficial?

That article casually and carelessly reports that a medical study using children makes the case that reducing one of the risk factors of heart disease seems to be a wash as between aerobic and anaerobicexercise. Big whoop; even if it does prove out to be accurate with older adults..which I doubt. It's just looking at one single outcome, not a complete physiological picture. Show me the complete picture of the after effects of both between two groups of adults 50+, I'll pay attention.

But this last year or two I got deadly bored with long rides as well, so I mixed it up with short fun rides, hill climbing rides, spinning, running, and yoga. Still, a metric century on a nice day is a definite plus, and I think it builds a certain physical endurance capability I can't get from the other activites. No pushing to get it over in 3-4 hours. I make a destination out of the half way mark, like shopping or a nice light lunch or meeting someone for coffee. Sometimes I select a problem I want to work out, think out, with the goal that I'll develop and answer by the end of the ride. Or, I'll use this type of ride to explore a new area, perhaps drive in..ride a fair part of the day..drive home. I also got rid of all the computers, tunes, and anything that junked up the ride, keeping it pure and meditational. So, now I'm enjoying the longer rides more...it's sort of a treat as compared to some 'duty' to ride centuries. A. So, on this basis I'll say an all day ride is beneficial, mentally and physically. B. No one can convince you, you need to convince yourself.

I get bored quickly with riding around in circles.

I find that I have alot more enthusiasm for biking when there is a purpose. We do alot of local and even not so local shopping, errands and trips by bike. We also take long weekend tours, sometimes camping and sometimes lodging and sometimes mixing it up. We try to find interesting and fun destinations and routes with places to visit along the way. The planning and anticipation of a tour always gets me stoked to go. Also we like to throw the bikes in the car and head to fun places. We are on the opposite coast but exploring Washington DC and the surrounding Northern Virgina area was alot of fun on a bike. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia was a blast to bike through and hike as were the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Also I have a carbon road bike, a touring bike for the trips and errands, a hardtail for the trails so I can grab something different, go out on club ride one day and head for a trail the next, do some grocery shopping, whatever, mix it up. Planning a new purchase this winter of a fixed gear bike. Variety is the spice of life.

wut

Probably best not to ask.

One novel strategy: find a sport that you're horrid at, so you're glad to get back to cycling.

My physical therapist wants me to take up Stand Up Paddleboarding. I think he just wants me to cover his office overhead. So, come Spring, I'll give it a try. There are some pretty cool streams and waterways around here.