I used to mountian bike in the Army and loved it. I was stationed at Ft Sill. That was 3 yrs ago, now im starting back into it with a road bike because there are more roads than trails here in Palatka, Fl. Maybe im out of shape but it feels like such a chore to bike again. Will this phase out and be enjoyable again?

3 years is a long time. I have a hard time transitioning from the winter lull to riding again every year. Stay with it and you will be fine!

Maybe life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone? Or maybe you need to find more fun routes?

I don't know if anyone can tell you which it is other than yourself.

After I retired I quit smoking, gained weight, developed a foot problem and could barely walk. I purchased an old used bike for $30.... in hopes that I could at least pedal around the neighborhood and get some sun and fresh air.

I loved my first ride. I was hooked before I got back home.

I now bicycle a couple thousand miles a year... and have for several years. Admittedly there are occasional days when maybe... it's too cold, wet, windy, hot, hay fevery or whatever. Days when I just don't feel like moving my old bones. So sometimes... I've just had to force myself to get outside and on the bike. But never have I regretted going bicycling and never have I had a bicycle ride I didn't enjoy.

Did a quick Google of Palatka. If you're bored of riding here, I'll trade you trails.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pa...531e43!6m1!1e1

LOL bovine, guess i just need to do some exploring huh

I kind of get what the OP might be going through. I am recently back after a two-year hiatus in which I let my job and other things crowd out exercise and getting outside. My mind remembers how I used to be and wants to ride like years ago, whereas my body wants to take a nap. It's been a bit frustrating for me as well, sometimes seems like work for me also, but usually once I'm outside and riding for a while I end up feeling glad that I went. I'm having my ups and downs though. That's for sure.

That may be it. Maybe you're just an offroad guy. No harm in that. Hell, maybe you're not a bike guy. Maybe you'd like hiking or camping or any number of other worthwhile outdoor activities. Nothing wrong with that either.

Feels like a chore?...pushing yourself too hard and/or too long right out of the box will certainly do that. Done that type A stuff to myself in the past. Now older and wiser I no longer demand starting up where I left off performance out of myself.

I would recommend finding an event and signing up for it so you have something to work towards. That's how I got into cycling. Back in 1999 I decided to sign up for Ride the Rockies to forget about a woman who just dumped me. I got out on my Wal Mart mountain bike, went about four miles, almost died and wondered why the heck I signed up for it. I got home and figured I signed up so I'll try to go a bit farther the next day. I kept doing that and soon I was up to 50+ miles. That year I did RTR on a $110 Wal Mart mountain bike, and it was one of the funnest weeks I've ever had. Made for a lot of good conversations with people asking me about that bike.

It depends on what you mean by "Feels like a Chore".

If it is fatigue on short trips... then that will get better with training.
Saddle Sore... also may improve with training (or more appropriate parts).

Boredom.... I don't know. Try varying your route, and looking around as you ride.

After a few slow years, I've started riding a bit more, and a bit further.

With errands, I've been getting in 20 to 50 mile RT rides, generally at a fairly casual pace.

Over time, I've been noticing that I'm feeling much less fatigued after a typical 15 to 20 mile (each way) ride. I just did my third (lifetime) 150+ ride a few weeks ago... and now my shorter rides just seem short.

Time on the road does, however, add up. So, a trip to the store takes much longer by bike than by car.

Is that a Genesis RoadTech? It is hard to judge without riding the bike. Quality bikes are nice... but many of the premium features in the C&V bikes which I've done most of my riding on have trickled down to the cheapest new bikes.

Road riding is a lot different than mounatain biking. Different fit, "steady state" riding vs. the constant variability of mountain biking, etc. I can see a period of adjustment, even if you hadn't had 3 years off the bike.

Take it easy. Do it at whatever level you actually enjoy so you keep at it. Just a thought, if I want to just have a mellow easy ride, I find subdivisions or areas of town where I can just ride and look at houses, businesses, etc. I even like just cruising through business park type areas after hours - little traffic, some interesting gawking (to me anyway). That will distract you, get used to the bike, etc. Might be worth a thought.

It could also be that you don't like the geometry of the bike you are using.

I just started riding again recently and while I was and still am pretty excited about it the first few rides did seem like a chore, not necessarily physically, but psychologically. I had to convince myself that I was going to love having sore legs, love riding home after a long night at work on my feet, and love it when it was freezing out. For me it seemed like a chore because it does in fact take effort, and I like being lazy. But without fail, after every ride I feel great and excited for the next one. I really hope you stick with it and find your groove. If not, at least you tried!

If you keep at it, your legs will get stronger and it will feel natural to be on the bike again.

Try to ride every other day at least so that you will build your legs up.

What does "feels like a chore" mean? Something you don't really want to do, but you feel you need to do?
Something that is hard work and not fun? Not exactly sure what you are saying so don't really know how to address it. I will say that some days it takes me between 3 and 6 miles to get to feeling like riding, after that it gets fun again.

What got me into cycling were neighborhoods in the hills. Love to go off the beaten path & see things that are usually hidden from view. Except for the difficulty of pushing uphill, i forgot that I was cycling & reveled in the curiosity of the winding roads that lead one into the hillsides. Probably not a lot of that in Florida but, finding what you enjoy makes it a lot easier.

What kind of riding are you doing?

I've done a few fun rides, but the vast majority of my riding is commuting and errands. Distances can be a pain, but I also find it relaxing.

Im riding to and from work right now, 12 miles there and back. Want to get in some fun rides now. Thank u all for the comments also, I dont hurt as bad today. I lowered the seat some so maybe that was the trick. i think it felt like a chore because my first ride after 3 yrs was going to work lol. im off tomorrow so we will see.

Tailwinds make things more pleasant.

That, and you just can't pick up where you left off 3 years ago. You'll have lost a lot of fitness.

3 years is a long time to be off the bike. Here in Michigan, I took the winter off, and the first few spring rides in to work were rough and slow. I got used to it quickly though. You will too.

Find a beach to ride by. That may make the biking more fun.

GH

Found a grp here in gainesville called Gainseville Cycle Club. Met up with them today and rode, felt really good. Glad I picked this back up