How to get yourself re-motivated to ride more
 

Where to start. Hmmm.
Okay, well I guess in the begining of my adult cycling life.
About 10 years ago now, I bought a used POS mountain bike when my POS car was in the sop for an extended period of time. Well turned out that the POS car was DOA, so that left me on the POS mountain bike for my main means of transport. Well turns out that I actually liked riding the bike. I went for the next 3 or 4 years without a personal motor vehicle.
Then a life changing job opportunity came my way. Well over the last 4 or 5 years now, my riding habits have become and stayed kind of erratic. So now I am floating about 25 to 30 lbs over what I think is a good weight for me. But now I just can't seem to get myself motivated to ride the bike as much as I did before the current employment came along. I used to ride 150 to 200 miles a week.

So if anyone out there has been in a similar situation how did you motivate yourself to start riding more? I was thinking of putting an ad on craigslist looking for a riding buddy. Someone that can ride at times that would be good for me and my schedule.

Thanks for any feedback or advice.

It was simple. I got a fat riding motorcycles so I sold them and got 3 good bikes. Now I have nothing bar bikes and a motor scooter that I never ride. If I want to stay fit and keep the 30kg I dropped off them 400km a week of riding is nessecary. I look at the fit of my clothes and consider the prospect of being fat again.... thats enough to get me riding till my legs fall off! I have two small kids so I usually ride 4am outside, or midnight on the trainer for 2-3 hours. Add on 150km of commuting and a 160km ride everyweekend I'm good.

Buy a new Bike..:)

Stop being lazy

Find a riding partner whom looks great in spandex and let her take the lead. Works every time!

That's worked in the past when I've been in a rut. Not sure if I can justify that just yet.

Generic advice.

LOL I agree, one of the last times I rode my recumbent before selling it I chased down a nice looking thing like that on a nice road bike. Think I nearly pedaled myself into a cardiac incident!

Well that's a lot of riding! And a lot of weight. I've thought about commuting maybe one day a week on the bike, that might be a good start, 13 miles each way, so it would take some effort and planning, But it is doable.

I think most people who do ride love it and hate it when they can't get out on their bike, but certain factors can make it less enjoyable. I live in N.Ire and the weather is crap and it does get a little annoying when it's windy every single day your out. There's nothing like an evening cycle when the weather has been great all day and if all countries were very warm i think more people would cycle, walk or go running.

Well I do enjoy riding, it's just that my riding habits became very erratic and now I just can't seem to get myself motivated to ride much any more. I was thinking maybe a short cc tour in April for my first vacation time this year might help me get re energized to ride more.

Since a lot of your riding was commuting, maybe start by doing errands on your bike. So your not just riding to be riding, and feel like your accomplishing something... It's worth a try. :)

I find trying new routes and exploring new areas remotivates me. When I commute, there's only a certain amount of routes that I can take and that can get boring. However, on the weekends I try to think of destinations I haven't been to which allows me to experience new scenery and that gets me excited again. I also try to go on a few social rides with friends while also trying out new routes and this helps too.

Went on a MTB ride in college with a group of people in the dorm I was in. My RA was in front of me...a very athletic curly haired cutie (total sweetheart, too). I didn't mind being last that day! :) She had a boyfriend, but don't hurt to look ;) I'm surprised I didn't run into a tree, to be honest!

Riding motivation? This year its going to simply be the fact I can fit into jeans that have not fit for 2 years. I want to get back to the size I wore in highschool next. Also I am single, so my weekends are free, and I am over the breakup that ruined my desire to go cycling last summer. Bring on the nice weather! :D

Oh, and I have a new bike on the way (see signature). That is motivating the hell outta me :)