cantdrv55

Haven't ridden in a month. Can't seem to get motivated. I've even let my bike club membership lapse. It's not because the weather's bad since I live in Norcal. I've also bought a new Cyclops Fluid 2 that's still in the box. I dunno. Kinda down on myself for gaining weight and not exercising. Has anyone else felt like this lately? What have you done to get back on the bike except just get on the bike? Do you watch, read, listen to something motivational? I always get stressed out towards the end of the year.

Serpico

just force yourself a few times and then you'll get back on track--you'll have a lot more energy and will feel better psychologically

put it on a calendar, schedule it at a gym and ride a stationary bike--anything, just FORCE yourself a few times

good luck

simplyred

..

fogrider

you need a riding partner...its always easier to get out when you know someone else is depending on you.

motorhommmer

Try and just go for a spin around the block. When you are out you will begin to enjoy yourself once again

Snicklefritz

I agree with Ziggurat. Stick it on your calendar and force yourself to get on the bike.

I had a 1-2 month period off the bike earlier this year after a nasty crash that resulted in a broken hand. When I finally got the cast off, I had a hard time at first getting motivated. I was upset about having gained weight during that time I wasn't riding, there was a nasty heat wave going on, and I felt tired and frustrated with my noticeable decrease in performance. There were many days where I felt totally unmotivated to ride, but forced myself to go out. Surprisingly, even if I felt tired at the beginning, I always felt revved up after a short workout. After about a month of that, I got back into the regular thing.

If you're in Northern cal, maybe try some rides during your lunch break if your employer lets you do that sort of thing. when weather is good, do a ride outdoors. If the weather sucks, do a workout on the trainer. The trainer can be boring if you are doing it mindlessly. Here are a couple of things you can try to make it a bit more interesting:

*watch TV or listen to some music. if you have an ipod or similar thing, make a play list with songs of different tempi. Try to match your cadence to the tempo. I'd go nuts without my ipod.
*Watch a cycling video and try to do the exercises. spinervals, CTS, etc.

Misc stuff:
*Do an easy warmup and then try some one-leg drills: 45" per leg with 1-2' rest between (ie easy spinning), do this 4x per leg.
*20 minute session of easy spinning and end with 5 min. at 100 rpm.

If you get bored with the trainer when riding indoors when the weather sucks, try breaking things up into smaller chunks. Maybe 15-30 minute blocks depending on how much time overall you are trying to get in. Sometimes I have to do longer trainer workouts when the weather sucks so I just divide my 2 hour block into 1/2 hour chunks and then it seems less boring.

Layton

Keep getting fatter until you loathe yourself into riding.

EURO

Ride to work you lazy sod.

macca123

1 month, what the hell. That is a LOOOONG time. maybe you should be spending youre time on tabletennisforums.net or fatties.net instead of here LOL. I have nothing against fat people riding to improve fitness by the way.

All you need is a good kick up the arse or you could just send all your gear to me or another up and coming junior in your region. Try riding in a group and ask them for training ideas, if that doesn't work try my first suggestion and give the bike to a kid...you have to enjoy punishing yourself and riding a bike in general to stick at the sport so try chess or bocce if cycling isn't your idea of a good time.

SesameCrunch

I can sympathize with what you're feeling. I feel a little of that myself (I live in the same area as you).

What works for me during the Winter months is spinning classes at the gym (I go to the Y in San Mateo). They're great workouts and keep me in cycling shape during the off season. I can work on specific things during class - like strength, or technique, etc. After every class, I am drenched in sweat. But the biggest argument for spinning classes is that it makes the time go by faster than being on the indoor trainer by yourself. With a good instructor, good music, a goal, and over time, camaraderie with the other folks in the class, it can be much more motivational than spinning in front of a TV or the cat. I complement my 3 days of spinning with 2 days of working weights for a good all-around conditioning.

It works for me, anyway. I hope you find something that works for you as well.

gcasillo

Just imagine R. Lee Ermey getting on your ass to ride. Here:

bikebugmenot

Doesn't matter if you haven't ridden in a month. The question is have you been doing other forms of exercise? If not, vegetating for a month is quite a long time...

ggg300

It happens.

IMHO take off your computer on your bike and go for small spins. Look around, relax, and remember this...at some point you will not be able to ride even if you want to. Days pass and with each one that does your getting closer never riding at all.

As for getting fat...it happens too. Just take small steps tp get back on track. 1. Dont eat after 8 pm. 2. dont eat sweets after noon. 3. no soda. That is easy. Do it for a few days and then go from there.

It happens but don't let it turn into more than that.

webist

Buy something which is new and unnecessary for your bike or your body and get on the bike to try it out. Tell yourself it is only going to be a short spin, but outfit yourself as if you were going on a century.

Alternatively, tell everyone that you are quitting cycling because it is too hard for you.

Chris631

i am in the same boat. i have a weekly mountain bike gang that waned with the weather, and the road is getting lonely. i bought a new mp3 player for use on the trainer, and tell myself i only have to go ride for 10 minutes - if i seriously do not feel like riding, i can come home. i only did once.

SpongeDad

Gotta have a goal.

Last year it was getting competitive with college buddy. This year its doing the TT leg of a triathlon with my younger brother (he swims). I can promise that if after the TT we're one tenth of a second ahead of where we were after the swim, I will do the Master of Universe dance all the way home.

Yeah, gotta have a goal.

jackb

I just say to myself that I am going on a ride and then simply stop thinking about it. Don't look for motivation. Make up your mind to ride; then do it. You'll get back into the groove soon enough.

World Tour

My excuse is the MESS that Wilma left all over the friggin place. Nails, screws, thorns etc. Just had two screws in my front right tire of the car. My beach cruiser has a flat (thorn) and I'm afraid to venture out with my nice road bike ! ! ! UGGGHHHH

baiskeli

This always happens to me when late fall/winter begins (something to do with the cold/lack of light). I have my bike set up on a trainer (I think its the same one you have) in front of my TV and a stack of cycling DVDs (TDF, Paris Roubaix etc). I find that after a week or two of riding maybe four times a week it gets easier. I'm usually fine as long as I don't go a week or more without riding and lose my momentum.

The other suggestion I have is to read Tim Krabbe's 'The Cyclist'. It's a good novel and may just make you feel like jumping on your bike again.

Cheers

jyossarian

Ride your bike you lazy f*ck! Stop getting all mental about this *****. It's supposed to be FUN!

scarpi41

wow. Actually i was like that. But i needed to get into shape for soccer season. So i hopped on my bike and all those good feeling came back and i said now i no why i ride. Good feeling. I will always cont to ride.

DocRay

winter in SF bay? get real.

Sharpknife

Start out with a smaller goal and your desire will come back. I always tell myself I am going to go so far and if I am up to it I go that far. If I am not feeling good I cut it short and ride again the next time I can. Not riding is the killer. Just go even if it is computerless and for a scenic quick spin. More likely than not the quick spin will turn into your regular loop.

SesameCrunch

I lose some motivation to ride in Winter because it's dark when I get home, because it's the rainy season, because it's colder, etc. So, it suits me better to work out in the gym along with rides on the weekends. This way, I get some exercise every day. If my habits cause you to become indignant in some way, then I prostrate myself before you and beg forgiveness.

rmwun54

Get out and ride somewhere where there are alot of riders that you could chase down or cruise with, or ride just for the fun of it like your just exploring your environment for the enjoyment of sight seeing. Then do some sprints to feel yourself exert your muscles. Its just a feeling thing that you have to get back in touch with. Remember movement is life and people that are not moving is pretty much dead. My Karate teacher always say that if you play you will be ok, and I second that motion.