What do you do to avoid bike boredom?
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 2,485
Bikes: 1992 Serotta Colorado II,Co-Motion Speedster, Giant Escape Hybrid, 1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 395 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 95 Times
in
72 Posts
For me it is after returning from a long cycling tour. We spent 3 months in Europe and upon returning home it was hard to go out on a "little ride".
But after a few group rides desire to ride is retur.
But after a few group rides desire to ride is retur.
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 216 Times
in
169 Posts
...My rides had become just head down hacks from start to finish, not really taking in the scenery with no stops and was getting bored so decided I was going to ride slower and enjoy the places and scenery of where I was cycling…
…I also give the ride a purpose i.e. things to go and see like a quaint town or say to the top of a hill with a great view and stop or a while taking time to explore or take in the views
I'm very motivated by novelty, and stymied by boredom on a bike, but I do have the motivation of commuting to work. I have found that when I drive my frequent, decades-old routes I often notice things I had not seen before. I think it’s because I can look around at more than just the road surface when driving.
So when the commute [route] is getting too familiar, I just raise my head higher and look over a wider field of view….
So when the commute [route] is getting too familiar, I just raise my head higher and look over a wider field of view….
…By nesting quote boxes, I indicate to the quoted subscriber(s) that I have read the post(s), reflected on the content, and extracted meaningful point(s) that I worked into a [contrived] quote chain
The quote chain allows me to quote a few subscribers [and/or myself] on one topic in one post

#79
Newbie racer
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 3,376
Bikes: Propel, red is faster
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1566 Post(s)
Liked 1,539 Times
in
957 Posts
Mike Woods called.....
Was a story floating around about how he needed money so showed up to a local 5k with a $500 or so prize and won. Sub 15min 5k? Dunno, couldn't find data to support the claim.
As soon as the daytime high is only around 50 or so, I'll start trading time on the bike for time on foot. Able to run in shorts with the temperature way down. Cycling in cooler weather requires some clothing trickery and perfection to balance staying warm with how warm your workout gets you.
Last year's fall/winter goal was to go from a 25min 5k to around 23min. Early spring hit 22min. This year a stretch goal is to break under 20min.
Just build up the mileage and intensity and do some yoga/stretch/balance/strength for the support muscles for running to prevent injury. I should probably start adding those back in about right now.
Was a story floating around about how he needed money so showed up to a local 5k with a $500 or so prize and won. Sub 15min 5k? Dunno, couldn't find data to support the claim.
As soon as the daytime high is only around 50 or so, I'll start trading time on the bike for time on foot. Able to run in shorts with the temperature way down. Cycling in cooler weather requires some clothing trickery and perfection to balance staying warm with how warm your workout gets you.
Last year's fall/winter goal was to go from a 25min 5k to around 23min. Early spring hit 22min. This year a stretch goal is to break under 20min.
Just build up the mileage and intensity and do some yoga/stretch/balance/strength for the support muscles for running to prevent injury. I should probably start adding those back in about right now.
#80
Version 3.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 12,850
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 296 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 1,891 Times
in
1,116 Posts
We are merging the two boredom threads.
#81
Version 3.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 12,850
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 296 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 1,891 Times
in
1,116 Posts
Please do not start duplicate threads with similar topics. Merging and cleanup is a lot of work. Thanks for your compliance.
Likes For Hermes:
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,714
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 567 Post(s)
Liked 873 Times
in
459 Posts
When bored with biking, I go kayaking.
Tim

Tim
#83
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 297
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 97 Post(s)
Liked 106 Times
in
66 Posts
Man... I love riding and everything 'bicycle'! I dream riding... sometimes my legs are tired when I awake from a bicycle dream because I was trying to spin and the blankets were giving me interval resistance! I dream 'vintage bicycles'! I love holding, repairing, servicing and cleaning bicycles! I love to look at bicycle and component pictures and even this and other forums! I've been loving bicycles, cars and airplanes since I was a kid and still remember when I 'soloed' downhill in the grass on my older sibling's way too large bicycle. I was in Kindergarten.
Now...let me tell ya about my antique automobiles.... and RC scratch built vintage sailplanes and others....my books....etc.
Now...let me tell ya about my antique automobiles.... and RC scratch built vintage sailplanes and others....my books....etc.
#84
Junior Member
Riding pavement can get a bit boring. That's why there's a sport called mountain biking.
Sure, the climbs are boring. But once you start going back down hill things get exciting quite quickly.
So much so that I only ride pavement to keep the legs in shape for it. Mountain bikes have improved drastically over the last 4 years. Might be time to give it a shot.
Sure, the climbs are boring. But once you start going back down hill things get exciting quite quickly.
So much so that I only ride pavement to keep the legs in shape for it. Mountain bikes have improved drastically over the last 4 years. Might be time to give it a shot.
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,805
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3234 Post(s)
Liked 998 Times
in
599 Posts
I have 4 major regular routes I ride. Since I usually ride alone, on a whim I can put in any variation that I want to. It seems that I am never bored.
#86
☢
I live in the city so its heavy LA traffic no matter which way I go. One route does have a bike lane, but cars still pass by too close and at insane speeds (meaning I'm at a heightened sense of alert, defeating the purpose) the entire route.
Sadly, being on the lookout for hazards (damaged roads, bad motorist, cell phone zombie pedestrians) means I can't get too much distance because its too draining.
Lately, I've gone to using transit to extend my reach and get me to new neighborhoods which helps me break the monotony, relax pre and post ride, and relieve boredom.
Sadly, being on the lookout for hazards (damaged roads, bad motorist, cell phone zombie pedestrians) means I can't get too much distance because its too draining.
Lately, I've gone to using transit to extend my reach and get me to new neighborhoods which helps me break the monotony, relax pre and post ride, and relieve boredom.
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36,148
Mentioned: 205 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16661 Post(s)
Liked 11,762 Times
in
5,625 Posts
Heh. When I first saw it I was like "Ummmmmm....That's got to be illegal." Finally realized it's a motion sensor light. But there are cameras in the "lounge" area. The place is unattended and right long the trail, so there is a chance of theft. (The owner will stop by to check on you, but you have to register and pay on line.) There is a TV and some nice patio-type furniture, so there is something worth stealing. He probably also wants to make sure people don't stay without paying, as some bike tourists are known to do.
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36,148
Mentioned: 205 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16661 Post(s)
Liked 11,762 Times
in
5,625 Posts
And "gravel grinding." (I hate that term.) I have been incorporating more dirt into my tours. Back in June I climbed 16 mile Gold Pass from St. Regis, MT to the border with ID. 15 of those miles were unpaved. Nearly 3,300' of elevation gain. The ID side looked like it had been re-paved within the last year. Smooth as glass, which made for a fun descent--a bit of rain, hail, thunder and lightning notwithstanding.
#90
Junior Member
#91
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36,148
Mentioned: 205 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16661 Post(s)
Liked 11,762 Times
in
5,625 Posts
Took a three-day tour last weekend. It was nice to get away. Hoping to do my favorite local-ish three day tour next week. Just need the weather to cooperate.
Saturday's sunrise:
Saturday's sunrise:

Likes For indyfabz:
#93
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,115
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
227 Posts
Change up my route. Added a giant hill this morning as well as some additional miles. It was fun. Gives a whole new set of issues and concerns to worry about and deal with--hopefully, successfully. Really had no idea where I was going in the pitch dark, which def made it more interesting.
#94
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,805
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3234 Post(s)
Liked 998 Times
in
599 Posts
When out for a ride especially alone, there is always a different turn you can take to see new things. You dont have to follow one set route.
Likes For rydabent:
#95
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,913
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 779 Post(s)
Liked 494 Times
in
291 Posts
I need to start doing this. I am guilty of riding the same routes over and over again. The boredom sets in. Good tip/advice. Now I just need to learn to take it.
#96
Just call me Carrie
If you're really bored, try going for a swim before you ride, then run after... You'll spend a lot of time on the bike pondering what fool convinced you this would be "fun".

__________________
I was going to have a good signature but apparently I'm too verbose.
I was going to have a good signature but apparently I'm too verbose.