In a Rut
 

I'm in southeast Florida, so the temperature goes down to the high 40's from time to time. That's not too cold to ride. But I recently recovered from the flu that started with me on Saturday December 1. It took two weeks for me to feel up to par to ride, then another week to completely clear my left ear. During that time, I've also been overeating, which includes holiday treats that have been brought in to work. I'm feeling better from the flu, but I also feel like a big tub of goo. I have no motivation to get back in the saddle, and I've ridden less than 20 miles this month. I had been averaging 100/ week prior to that, which includes weeks that I didn't ride due to work obligations or vacations. I also usually write down my annual goals for the next year during the Christmas holiday break, but I have no desire to do so now. I wonder if I'm somewhat depressed that I haven't been on the bike much. I wonder if I just get on the bike for a few outings, I'll get back in the right frame of mind.

Have any of you been in a rut? If so, how did you get out of it?

Pull out a different bicycle from the back of the garage or basement ... like your mtn bike, for example ... and go ride in a different place.

I'm a road cyclist, but will occasionally do trails for something different. :)

This should work. Ride yourself out of the Rut. Have fun, enjoy a diff bike or route but just get out and spin. Your lucky to be in FL where most days are good for warm weather riding!

Rapha Festive starts in 2 days. Get on it. I look forward to this all year.

I try to not take off more than two consecutive days - not everyone's rule, just my personal one. Sometimes, I just don't feel like it so I tell my self to just go around a few blocks or wherever and feel free to come home if i can't or don't want to do it. At least 9/10 times, I'll get a decent ride in. On the 10th time, I'll turn around after a couple miles but I still feel better and seem to be fine the next day.

Of course, YMMV.

+1

Sometimes I will pick a familiar destination, but plan and explore a different route.

For the last seven years I have listened to spoken word podcasts in one ear while bike commuting...usually, but not always. Sometimes on a morning when I don't particularly feel like riding, the anticipation of listening to a podcast on the bike will push me to ride. I know I can listen in the car, but it feels extra special on the bike.

Eventually the endorphins kick in and I get the "Oh, yeah, this is what I was missing" feeling and I remember that I love cycling.

I agree with the idea that even when you don't feel eager if you make yourself do a few miles you get into it and enjoy riding further. Another strategy is clean and tune up your bike(s), perhaps doing a few mods you have been toying with such as new tires, different bars or grips or new gear ratios, for example, and see how they change the ride. A clean bike, well lubed chain and everything functioning optimally can be such a joy to ride, especially if your ennui has let your bikes slide maintenance wise.

+1 maybe you can get lucky and find a ride group https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/ride-with-us

Sounds to me like someone is in the holiday slump and eating too many starchy foods. Tresenriter has the right idea. Just pull out the bike and easily circle around the block with no intentions of going anywhere, just to get some fresh air. The endorphins will start jumping around and before you know it riding feels like the thing to do again. I also try not to miss more than 2 days at a time without logging some miles, but unfortunately, we can't always have what we want, even when we don't know what we want. Good luck to you and glad to hear you kicked a/:fred:/ with that flu.

Same for me, solo. I only noticed a freelance and clubhouse ride both in LA and I mostly ride south in OC area

mix it up. join a gym

Lethargy and laziness is a disease...The longer you stay in your rut the deeper you will sink and it will be more difficult to get out of it...Your mind is playing tricks on you...Just go out and ride like you always did and stop making excuses.

I agree with getting out of that rut as you put it , its way too easy to just do nothing I made that mistake paying for it now, you don't want to loose your momentum way too hard to get back , that's it you ever do...

Just push through , im in the same spot , i was easily getting 300 miles a week and im barely scratching 200. Im just low on fire . i think you just have to go back to what makes you feel happy and build layers from there .

Can you bike commute to work? I find it to be my favorite way to chase the blues.

Mix it up! Roadie, MTB off road, and tandem. Tandem is always a blast!

Hey! Thanks everyone for contributing to this thread. I like all of your suggestions. I don't have a MTB for off road cycling, but there is a gravel ride that is sponsored by my LBS. The owner said I could borrow a bike if I wanted to do it. I did it once on my touring bike, but it was way too rough for me to put that bike through that again. It's Thursday nights; maybe I'll call him during the day and ask to use one of his bikes. It's now Christmas eve morning (4AM), and I can't sleep. I have a lot of cooking to do today, but I commit to get up and ride no later than 6 AM for a bit. I'll look at Google Maps and see if I can create a new route before I go. I'll shoot for a casual 60-90 minute ride on my touring bike. I've previously felt like a baby hippo riding a bike when I've ridden my CF bike with extra weight. I don't need that negativity right now. In fact, I also commit to riding a bit tomorrow too.

With a handle like Bassmanbob it sounds like you may need to do some fishing. ...Or, basically as has been suggested, do something different.

I would also consider looking at why you are riding in the first place. Are you just riding around, or are you training for something specific. Just riding around can get pretty stale, especially in a flat place like north Florida. Maybe you need an event to train for? Something that will challenge you and cause you to stretch yourself? Or, connecting to ride with others at a similar level of fitness/interest. Everyone is different, but those things are helpful motivators for a lot of people.

And just ignore the shamer type comments.:notamused: A lot of people just need to get over themselves.

Good luck getting out of your rutt BMB!

I like the idea of mixing it up and doing something different. The suggestion to get out on a mountain bike is a good one. Or if that doesn't work get some cross training in. Hit the gym, hit the trails for a hike, etc. Just out and be active. Once those endorphins are coursing through your system you'll be excited to get out and ride again.

You have to just suck it up, OP. I know how you feel, but fitness/health is a huge priority. Things will get better once you start riding again.. :)

I'm in a rut too.
But I forced myself to head out this morning for about an hour.
I averaged 11 or 12 miles per hour and I didn't even break a sweat, which is exactly what I needed.

Jump on Craigslist and go rescue a used MTB from somewhere. Say a Specialized Hardrock Sport. Good tough roomy aluminum frame poorly appointed. Should be about $75, or so. No quill stem bikes need apply.

Then do some upgrades as time an money permit. Maybe add a nice used air fork ... Maybe some + sized white walled Schwalbe Marathon tires ( :D ) for higher visibility when you come out of the dirt side road ...

Point being that every time you do an upgrade, you will want to ride it to try it out. And you'll try all sorts of venues to put it through its paces. Does not matter if you are hippo or not. No one can resist trying out an incremental upgrade :)

When you are satisfied, you now have your rough gravel bike and even swap trail bike :D

I go to he Pub :beer: ride there & back :... distance: barely a Mile..

Well, I did it. I got out yesterday morning and moved my legs for about 75 minutes. During the first 2 miles, I felt like I lost my legs-- they felt awful. Then they settled in and felt fairly good. I went through a neighborhood I have not previously gone through, and that was nice too. I also got out about 45 minutes before sunrise, which is my favorite time to ride. It was fun.

I don't think I'm back, but I can see the potential. I think part of my depression was that I will not reach my goal of 5,200 miles for the year (100 per week). I had a concussion in October that took me out for 2 weeks and then the damn flu took me out for 3 weeks. I'll probably finish with just under 4,800 miles for the year. Oh well. I'm not sure if I want to attempt to do it again for 2019. I'll ride two or three more times by Saturday, then I'll be away for a week. Maybe the hotel will have a stationary bike in the fitness room. I'll be in a situation where I won't be able to bike while away.

I think some of the suggestions you guys made that sounded harsh were very helpful for me as well. I didn't take it negatively but as motivation. Thanks.

Nice reading that you got back on the saddle. Small steps begins a new journey and by keeping things simple and FUN the JOY might be recaptured.

+1 (or stay ahead of them)

We knew you could...good job!