Univega

There are times when I just get a bit sick of punishing myself on the bike. Get faster, go farther…I remember times when I just used to ride my bike because I loved to ride my bike. Now, sometimes I want to throw the darn computer away. Plus I look at he bike and think, “nah…not in the mood to punish myself.”

How do you stay motivated?

How do you bring the joy back to riding?

rollin

Why don't you throw your computer away? at least every once in a while.

DrPete 

If you ride with a computer for maximal punishment all the time, you will burn out, as you're demonstrating right now. Ditch the computer, toss the HRM, and just go for an easy ride. Recovery rides can be quite fun too. Just go out and enjoy riding. Throw it in the little ring and leave it there. If you spin out... coast.

If you're engaging in more than 1-2 suffer-fests a week you're riding too hard.

Machka 

I just ride my bike because I loved to ride my bike ... and I've been doing that for 21 years.


Go for an enjoyable ride ... go for several of them.

EdIsMe

+1 Go out for a ride and just enjoy the scenery. Riding doesn't have to be a race if you're not racing...

Long Island is a great place to be riding for scenery too. I was born in Copiague and my parents and I lived in Lindenhurst for a few years before moving to Florida.

The southern coast of the island is just beautiful imo.

aham23

ride with ball busting fast groups and mirrors. later.

Hulley

I go for an easy ride and I'll change up my route(s) to keep it somewhat interesting.

surgeonstone

You answered your question in the first sentence. Stop punishing yourself. The conundrum of cyclists is that we push ourselves , hard, and we as well want to avoid unnecessary pain. It's a push pull kind of thing. When I ride, I find myself invariably speeding up, pushing faster and faster speeds. Even when I try to stay slow my legs take me faster.
I have found my Garmin to be my friend. A couple of times a week I make a game out of riding and keeping my heart below a certain level. Last night I choose to stay under 135 bpm and had an absolutely delightful and energizing ride. Try it, it will reacquaint you with the beauties of cycling.

Gluteus

Been there, done that.
+1 about ignoring the computer at times.

But more importantly, take a break. 1 week off the bike (cross-training or resting), and the fun/desire to ride comes right back, for me.

mmmdonuts

I take time off.

ericm979

Ignore average speed.

Go ride somewhere new.

Ride with friends.

banerjek

Just do it. You won't regret it. After killing myself on the bike, I rode with no computer for many years.

Now I have a computer again, but I don't use it as a torture device.

Scorer75

Take a long ride and keep your heart rate below a certain threshold, it's refreshingly fun

z90

Pick a scenic ride. Take some snacks that aren't meant for maximizing your performance. If you don't want to remove your computer, put some tape over the display.

Take a camera, and stop to take some pictures along the way. Post them here.

kleinboogie

I'll let you know if it happens. For days I wonder if I want to go out I focus on my goals. Best to have lots of them both short and long-term. It's harder to put aside three goals than one or none. Power meter has helped to. GL

eippo1

I have 3 bikes and only 1 computer for exactly this reason.

Velo Vol 

Why bother?

wfrogge

Take a recovery week after 4-6 weeks of hard rides. Skip the normal "hammerfest" rides and efforts and just enjoy the week. Without these breaks, you will at some point hit a wall and stop improving

BHOFM

Get an old beater bike and every once in a while, just go for a ride, no plans, no goals,
no push. Stop and smell the roses, pet the puppies, visit with strangers, wave at a cop,
check out a new route, look for lost change, get some ice cream, get off the bike and
walk a ways, sit down and think about life, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,!

Seattle Forrest

Then don't. Go to Fire Island. Rent a kayak. Make love to ... whoever you do that with. Find some other way to pass the time, and come back to the bike when something inside you wants to go for a ride.

DropDeadFred

If you want to ride for enjoyment...ride a different bike...cruiser, bmx, fixie...something fun...a roadie is like have a Ferrari, you gotta go fast. BUT if you want to do something other than that..since you are the motor...then you go for something like a jeep...go off road..do something fun...go with friends you don't "ride" with. this is an obsession to me that has to be controlled and I can clearly see where motivation is lost and sometimes the joy as well, especially when competing with yourself. I myself am doing BRAG next week, which should just be enjoyable.

RT

My sister suffers from Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. She cannot ride, I can. Whenever the notion to whine about wind or temperature comes about, I remember this and ride on with her in mind.

BHOFM

I think back a year ago when an eight mile ride took six hours and
I almost returned the bike because I thought I couldn't do it!

Now a fifty mile ride before breakfast is the norm.

This morning I was out at 5 and back before 9, 56 miles.

And I don't ride no stink'n road bike!

HowardF

I think about the people I could see along the way, the things I might bump into, things like that. And if that bores you, go for a drive and find a spot that you can't get to with your car. Then take your bike back there and get in that forest or alley or whatever that place is. I commute a lot via subway/bus, so I pass a ton of stuff along the way. Think of biking as a way of slowing down.

lshaped

i was starting to feel the same way- this year i've decided to ditch the mileage logs and
only do 1 sufferfest per week. the rest of the time i ride at a pace that pleases me and
doesn't wear me out. the burnout is starting to go away= today i commuted into work- 22 miles each way, and
really enjoyed myself