ch3n207

Well i wouldn't put it that way. But I love cycling, every moment of it. I like the pain, and the suffering I endure because I know that im pushing myself. I love how every time i get on the bike all my problems go away. I don't have to stress over this and that. But now since school has started for about two week already, I don't have that much time on the bike anymore. I still ride my 4 hour rides but i have to rush to break dawn. And also since school started Im never concentrated in what im doing in class. I just keep wanting to get out of class and ride my bike for the rest of the day. My grades last year were superb, my overall average was 96.3 (junior year). But this year i don't think i can keep it up because of the bike. I already had two test for this marking period and I didn't do so well because of the days i missed out. I already cut like 7 days of class to just ride my bike in the morning until late afternoon. I don't think there is a cure for this and I can't possibly imagine going to college with this type of mentality. I'll waste my parents money if i do go. They work hard so cutting classes in college would not be an option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

DrPete 

No offense, but letting your education suffer in the name of riding is dumb.

No education = no bike schwag, no time to ride, no ability to travel, etc.

You need to realign your priorities.

riff

Look at good marks as an opportunity to get into college cycling...

umd

this

eippo1

Well said, Dr. Pete. Now I have to get back to working on my thesis. Once you start going again, you'll be fine. Just try to jump back into your school work.

tagaproject6

^^^This!

The fact that you came here "confessing" is a sign that all is not lost for you, yet. Prioritize your education! I just hope you did not come here for validation

Yotsko

Get a job, get some loans, and pay for college yourself. That way there's no guilt. Oh, and +1 on everything above.

Sprocket Man

It sounds as if this is a serious addiction. Like most serious addictions (drinking, smoking, gambling, etc.) it's extremely difficult, if not impossible to do it in moderation. It's probably best for you if you sell your bike and refocus your efforts on school. If you have the bike available to you, you'll be tempted to fall back into your old ways.

mmmdonuts

uh huh

robotkiller

Get a grip

ch3n207

I would never ever, GIVE UP the bike. It keeps me sane.

DrPete 

It also keeps you from focusing on your future. He's got a point. If you can't balance, you need to dump the bike.

ch3n207

But how could i just abandon my first love?

eMwolB

I started writing this elaborate explanation on choices and decisions, etc....and decided that you will just figure it all out like the rest of us (adults) did.

eMwolB

What does Hannah Montana have to do with this?

khatfull

Now is as good a time as any for the OP to learn to prioritize. If he can't balance cycling and school he'll never be able to balance cycling, work, family, freinds, etc. "Dump the bike" is easy but only pushes off learning a vital life skill.

OP, keep the bike. Set an initial goal number of hours per week you'll allow yourself to ride that ABSOLUTELY allows enough time for class, homework, study, and other pursuits. You don't say it but I'll assume you're male....there are females in college that might interest you nearly as much as the bike . Don't exceed this hour allotment even if you have the time to do so. This way you'll still get cycling in but hopefully not allow it to rule your life.

And OP, I know exactly what you're going through. My kids have been back in school now for two weeks. Prior to that I was getting 100-200 miles per week, sometimes more. That has been severely curtailed. I'm absolutely JONESIN' for some miles. But alas, I'll have to try to force them in early mornings or after dark.

heavyMetal

Unless you are really good (and I mean able to make a pro team good) and can support yourself as a cycling professional, you need to take a good look at yourself and get your priorities in order. You obviously have the smarts to get good grades, and if your parents have the means to pay for college, I would put those smarts to good use. Get a degree, a good job, and then bike all you want.

Tcchap

You need to focus and get your time organized. I would imagine that there is plenty of time to ride in your schedule if you plan things out. You may have to be flexible about your time, perhaps riding at a different time than you prefer but you should be able to fit it all in. Schooling is important and cycling is expensive - you want to give yourself every opportunity for a good job in the future. Good luck and stay in school.

ch3n207

As of this point in my life. The bike does rule my life. It's sad but true. I don't hang out with my friends anymore like i used to. Because I never have the time now a days, i have school from 7 to 1 then im out on my bike for 4 to 5 hours by the time im back its 6 and i do my homework when i get home. Then i wash up and relax to watch some tv before i get shut eyes and it's the same routine everyday. On the weekends i ride for a excess of 6 hours......My life has completely changed since i have met the bike.......

DScott

"addiction" = continued use, despite harm

You're addicted.

khatfull

Since the favorite BF thing to say is that one enjoys the suffering I guess all of BF is addicted no?

raduray

My parents would smile in their graves to hear me say this, but I'm a Fred who just got an expensive carbon bike way too good for me and I could afford it because I've had a successful career made possible by my education. Don't let your youthful infatuation (eg first love) preclude future opportunities.

Flatballer

I cut class to ride too, but I'm a senior in college and already have a solid GPA buffer and a job lined up.

You have to know when to work hard, and when not to work hard. When you're trying to get into a college is not the time to screw around

cyclefreaksix

Listen OP,

I started out working as a dishwasher in a club. Pretty soon I was working in the porn business. Making successful movies, winning awards and living the life. I had a nice house and a fast car. Then drugs came into the picture. At first I was just using. Then I began dealing. I lost everything. It was only after I returned to the man who discovered me and made me a star that I started to get my life back together.

Oh wait a minute. That was just a movie I saw.

Never mind.





See what happens when you don't finish school??

Dio

first it's cycling, then it's sucking golf balls through a garden hose to get your daily dose of heroine

ive seen this happen atleast 3 other times, all ended with semi-fatalities