Slump...
 

Servus,

I require your sage advice folks. I had a three day weekend and didn't ride once. I didn't even look at my bike! I bought new gear on Friday and had no desire to try it out.

Any quickie cures for a nasty slump? I desperately needyour assistance.

Ranger, I think sometimes our body--and/or our mind--has its own way of telling us we need a break. That may explain a lot of slumps. In that case, the best thing is just to go with the slump, so to speak.

Sometimes, too, it can be a resistance to "starting all over again" with a new piece of equipment, learning its quirks and getting it just right, etc. This happens with software a lot. You buy some wonderful new program and then dread using it.... I would think it less liable to happen with bikes, though.

My guess is: you needed a break! :)

Ranger,

Jon may be right. I have those days too, but force myself out the door, only to find my performance level to be way down.
Listen to your body and your mind. Maybe you had a bad experience last time you were riding?? or maybe something is not right in another aspect of your life?
When I lost my job last year I "comforted" myself by buying something for my bike, but didn't try it out for a day or two.

We all have bad days occasionally. I find that when I "rest" because I'm not in the mood to ride, I do a whole lot better the next time I go out.

Don't be hard on yourself. Enjoy the relaxation. Your next ride will probably be great - maybe even memorable.
:beer:

Ron

Maybe hooking up with some other riders, or trying some different trails or routes?

Ranger...it's your body and mind telling you that you need a break. This happened to me a few weeks ago. It got to the point where I actually hated being on my bike. I took off two weeks where I did very little riding so I could rest my body and mind. Since I took that break I feel so much better and my riding has improved ten fold. Once again I look forward to being on my bike.

Take a break, it'll do wonders for you.

Sometimes a change of pace is just what I need. Just take five and do something else you feel like doing!

Peace!

- Try riding your favorite trail in reverse, at night, or go to a completely different trail.
- Commute using a different route.
- Use ranger girl's bike instead of yours.
- Commute on your MTB instead of your commuter.
- Ride your road bike on the trail

In other words, do something different. All of a sudden, the stale old routine becomes interesting again. If all else fails, go ride a single speed, it's bound to put a smile on your face :)

Could it be you were just busy with other things, like resting, spending time with family or friends, watching TV, doing nothing? If we don't alter our priorities every once in a while, we get in a rut. I wouldn't worry about it-it's probably a healthy thing.

Yes, the other fellows give good advice about taking a break if you need it. If you are biking for fun, why do it if it is not fun?

However, if you are training, then the slumps are a great opportunity to excel. I tell my martial arts students that when they train on the days they least want to train - the days that they want to stay home and watch television reruns - that is the day they will break through the training ceiling where they may have reached a plateau.

So, if you are in training, take advantage of the slump. It is the test that separates the winners from the losers.

I think everyone shares the same opinion Ranger, YOU NEED A BREAK!!!
So take your car (if you have one), load your bike, start your engine and get the autobahn to Austria or Switzerland.
A week later your a New born Ranger!, maybe this is a bit drastic but i always enyoy the Alps and it gives me a good "state of mind" :D

Ranger, get in your car and find a new route to ride on your bike. While in your car imagine riding the hills and smelling the smells that you can only experience on your bike. Give yourself something to get excited about--namely the new route.

Something else that would help is to find someone to ride with that you don't know very well, who hasn't been riding for a very long time. By explaining/teaching the newbie your tricks you'll remember your love of the sport.

Hi Ranger,

Yeah...we all have those days..good advice above...just relax and do something different for a while...you'll be right :)

Cheers :beer:

Rich

Days without riding are a good day for doing bike maintanance or just giving your bike the thorough wash, wax, and tire shine.

If Mike takes a day off from riding his bike, there had better be a good reason, like raining frogs or something.

http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/general/raining.html

Oh, I don't know, Pete. If it was raining frogs, I would surely be riding in it just to tell you that I did it.

If it rain, I don't ride my "honey" , and for me not to suffer the slump I just attached it to my bike trainers, and I am a happy camper, but a little grumpy, you can have everything...."honey"

Sometimes you need a day off. Don't feel bad.:) :) :)

:bday:
CONGRATULATIONS, MIKE STONE!
You have just spoken BikeForums secret code phrase for the day:
"If it was raining frogs, I would surely be riding in it just to tell you that I did it."

But before we tell you what you've won, we'd like to find out a little more about you. Would you, perchance, be a bicycle commuter? From the Snowy Midwest? Have you ever ridden in subzero temperatures? How many bicycles do you have? Do you ever drive a car? Have you ever wondered whether cycling is actually more expensive than driving, given the price of bottled water? Have you ever been in the ring with a Sumo wrestler? Do you shower with your bike? Do you wash down raw cookie dough and honey with slurpees? Have you ever rescued an elderly Japanese motorcyclist from being run over by his own countryfolk?

Thank you, Mike Stone. And now, your prize--THAT'S RIGHT! YOUR OWN SUMO WRESTLING PARTNER!

:thumbup:

(If Mike Stone is in any way connected with "the Family,"
I issue this disclaimer: "Pete Clark is a fictitious entity created solely by contributors to BikeForums who wish to remain anonymous.")

Servus!

Thanks for all the good advice and support! Since we've gone from slump cures to frogs falling from the heavens, lets stop it right here.

Thanks again y'all.

:bday:

Sorry, Ranger!

After that last bit of silliness, I was gambling you'd say to yourself,
"I may not feel like riding right now, but anything is better than this!!!" Did it work?