should I take up golf instead?

pelotondrafter

Been in and out of the saddle some six years. After my first 100km tour I really felt I had pushed my way out of my comfort zone however things have gone downhill.

Firstly, since most club-runs are at the weekend - and my work doesn't allow it - I am always cycling on my own. Secondly the area is surrounded in hills, and windy wet hills at that...which I just love, not!

But the past two years my work has become more intensive and I feel my fitness levels have drained away. Had thought of joining the local cc, but now a case that I may have the time or the energy, but seldom both. Feeling I am not getting anywhere.

Should I just sell my bike and take up golf instead?

guilliano

Nooooo! Buy a turbo trainer for the wet days and if you want to ride with locals look for a midweek ride. They are often more leisurely paced and social, but will get you back on the bike. If you REALLY want to take up golf as well I have a set of clubs you can buy cheap as an addition to the bike, but not instead of

GavH

I love Golf, but it sooo easily gets the better of me. On a bike you can thrash your frustrations and stresses out of yourself. Only a puncture or a ill-mannered motorist will possibly get you upset. In golf it can be every shot, turning a 4-5 hour walk into a nightmare which only leaves you more stressed. In fact the thought is stressing me now! Of course a good round is a great way to relieve stress and can do wonders as a recovery after a hard ride.

Flasheart

GavH wrote:

On a bike you can thrash your frustrations and stresses out of yourself.

:idea: Yeah but you can wrap a 9 iron around your Caddy's bonce and de-stress yourself that way too. :twisted:

*waits for flaming

neeb

Professional golfer

Professional cyclist

'nuff said?

redddraggon

neeb wrote:

Professional golfer

Professional cyclist

'nuff said?

Another view of that Particular Pro Cyclist - clicky

Crapaud

pelotondrafter wrote:

... Firstly, since most club-runs are at the weekend - and my work doesn't allow it - I am always cycling on my own. Secondly the area is surrounded in hills, and windy wet hills at that...which I just love, not!

But the past two years my work has become more intensive and I feel my fitness levels have drained away. Had thought of joining the local cc, but now a case that I may have the time or the energy, but seldom both. Feeling I am not getting anywhere. ...

I'm in the same boat, PD. I can't even use a commute to keep my fitness level up. If you can, commuting's probably the way to go intially.

When I'm back up to speed I'll be checking the LBSs and local clubs to see if there're any cyclists, or groups of riders, who go out mid-week during the day. I know they exist 'cos I've met them - there are more folk with the same problem than you'd think.

Failing that, post some details on here asking for a cycling buddy. You never know.

neeb

Another view of that Particular Pro Cyclist - clicky

I don't think he got those quads from the coke though, while a beer belly is probably an advantage in golf! (stable centre of gravity etc)

pelotondrafter

Crapaud wrote:

pelotondrafter wrote:

... Firstly, since most club-runs are at the weekend - and my work doesn't allow it - I am always cycling on my own. Secondly the area is surrounded in hills, and windy wet hills at that...which I just love, not!

But the past two years my work has become more intensive and I feel my fitness levels have drained away. Had thought of joining the local cc, but now a case that I may have the time or the energy, but seldom both. Feeling I am not getting anywhere. ...

I'm in the same boat, PD. I can't even use a commute to keep my fitness level up. If you can, commuting's probably the way to go intially.

When I'm back up to speed I'll be checking the LBSs and local clubs to see if there're any cyclists, or groups of riders, who go out mid-week during the day. I know they exist 'cos I've met them - there are more folk with the same problem than you'd think.

Failing that, post some details on here asking for a cycling buddy. You never know.

Unfortunately commuting is out of the question since I 'live above the shop'

I do have a turbo trainer but as I said, I either have the energy but not the time, or the time but not the energy. When I first started I did not mind cycling on my own since it did de-stress me. I lost weight and it cleared the head but now everytime I look at the rack, I really could not give a fig, and that is really annoying me.

kingrollo

Get another job. wots of the point of money - if you can't ride your bike !

neeb

It's a cliche and an advertising slogan for a dodgy sports company, but "just do it"! Once you get out of the habit your metabolism adapts so that getting out seems like a lot of effort, but once you're actually back in the habit it becomes the norm, and then you'll be motivated because it feels weird /not/ to do it. Nothing wrong with cycling on your own either, it's easier to go hard and concentrate on your own goals. Psychology plays a big part too; if you believe it's good for you and a worthwhile thing to do (which it is) you'll enjoy it more and be more motivated.

will3

What makes you think you'd be any good at golf?

LardLover

I was like that with mountain biking so I jacked it in and started road cycling. I've now got my enthusiasm back for cycling and make an effort to get out and ride. I've got a new "cycling buddy" as my mtb friends had either packed in or have no interest in road cycling.

Perhaps you should do the opposite, why not try mountain biking?

Wooliferkins

Get out and ride. I let myself get stressed out of riding with work, it is no place to let yourself get. As for the golf, nah. Daft clothes expensive kit who would take up a sport like that....................DOH!

Crapaud

pelotondrafter, if you've got the time and energy for a round of golf, how come you can't find an hour or 2 to cycle? A round of golf would take about 4 hrs minimum.

I'm in the process of re-arranging my life to engineer some time for cycling. As neeb says, just do it. Getting out'll remind you of just how benificial cycling was to you. Knowing it isn't enough, memories fade; experience it and you'll want to go out. It works for me!

[Edit] PS, welcome to the forum.

beegee

What about getting a new toy for your bike ? Or a new bike ? Or booking a 2 day break away to somewhere nice with your cycle (sounds a bit smutty). Or finding out if the local club does evening rides in the summer ? I believe that somewhere on this bikeradar site, you can ask for riding buddies.

gergusmcbergus

keep on trucking dude

zedders

Some say we cyclist look daft wearing lycra etc. But cyclist wear most of it for a reason! But what about what Golfer wear? What's their reason? Then there's the expense for all the kit, and the time needed to play. Golf course membership? It goes on and on. Red socks on wednesday's. Ladies day? Tie's? There all in the 1900's.

Yest I was in the lobby of a Hotel in Bristol, and there was a dozen of what they called themselves ''Keen or semi pro Golfers.'' Their average age must of been 60yrs, and most of them had a John Daly belly! I could hear then talkin: 'spin on the ball' & 'laid it up' 'in the hole' - I honestly thought wiredo's. A memeber of my family works in a Golf club, and she said their all wiredo's too. A mate of mine tuck up Golf. Guess what? He's a wiredo too!

No offence to Golfer's but it's not a proper sport is it? It's a Gentleman's past-time! You sure you didn't bump your head before posting this topic? If you still like biking, then don't give up just yet. Summers coming!

ZEDDERS.

pelotondrafter

Its not really a question of golf, it could be archery or beekeeping. As regards my job and money, its not really negotiable. According to popular opinion, some believe Sunday is the only day I work.

Essentially, its the question of movitation, even to do an hour or half hour on the turbo.

Any cycling buddies in S. Down?

redddraggon

You're a vicar?

fossyant

OK.... commute to work - get up, eat, get on bike and cycle 5 miles, then ride back, do the same after clocking off.... fit it in.

I spent 8 years working too far away to commute, I changed jobs.

I'd deffo get in to a routine of getting up early, go do 10-20 miles and you are back. At least living at work as such, you've got a shower, washing machine etc.

I could quite easily take my car to work, I don't I leave it on the drive.

If time is short (yes I can't get off for hours on end going on club runs) fit it in to daily life. Go out at weekends for a fast 1-2 hour blast.

PS it's wet and hilly where I live, it's great..... get fit, you'll love the hills.

Anonymous

Don't think about the mither or the lack of energy, I get that, so I just get on my bike even when I feel like I need to have a sleep after an early shift.
Don't think about your energy levels, as someone said 'just do it' and within 10 minutes you'll be feeling great, at the end of the ride you'll feel fantastic.
Please, believe me!

I'd love to be able to ride a bike at all at the moment let alone have to worry about whether or not I've got the energy so HTFU and get on with it ...

jamieh5463

dont do it golfers are a load of overweight, smoking pensioners! who cant be arsed to do a PROPER sport, sports are meant to nacker you out. also golf is for wusses who are afraid of adrenaline and even the slightest bit of danger. im not tht fit at the moment but i still enjoy road rides, just keep training and you wont get unfit

sicknote

jamieh5463 wrote:

dont do it golfers are a load of overweight, smoking pensioners! who cant be arsed to do a PROPER sport, sports are meant to nacker you out. also golf is for wusses who are afraid of adrenaline and even the slightest bit of danger. im not tht fit at the moment but i still enjoy road rides, just keep training and you wont get unfit

Not when I am out on a course as I managed to hit a woman on the head ( I said four but she looked up, wrong move ) and it cut her above the eye and did not feel very happy about it.

All that said dont give up and as said try to fit it in and going for a ride in the morning is something i am start, as I work from home a lot too.

DomPro

Ain't nothing wrong with golf mate. I love it, just not as much as cycling.

tiny_pens

There was an article I was reading in a magazine recently called the 'Virtual Commute'. It was by a guy who worked from home so he would get up early and just cycle a loop back to his house. He lived in town and had a mate who lived out of town but worked near his house so he said some days he would cycle to his mates house and they would cycle back together.

The other bit of the article I remember was about him trying to time it so that his return leg of the journey was during peak commuter time as it often gave him someone to race :-)

I guess the advantage of working from home is that you don't need to worry about the ride home in the evening.

Perhaps there is something here that you might be able to incorporate?

Tiny

pelotondrafter

redddraggon wrote:

You're a vicar?

Ah, that would be an ecumenical question?
(More in the vicinity of Craggy Island in fact)

pelotondrafter

NapoleonD wrote:

...Don't think about your energy levels, as someone said 'just do it' and within 10 minutes you'll be feeling great, at the end of the ride you'll feel fantastic.
Please, believe me!

I'd love to be able to ride a bike at all at the moment let alone have to worry about whether or not I've got the energy so HTFU and get on with it ...

You're right of course, after the first 5-10 minutes, its a different world. I end up saying to myself, "why do I not do this more often?"
Anyone got a routine that gets you over that initial "will I stay or will I go?"

Flasheart

tiny_pens wrote:

There was an article I was reading in a magazine recently called the 'Virtual Commute'. It was by a guy who worked from home so he would get up early and just cycle a loop back to his house. He lived in town and had a mate who lived out of town but worked near his house so he said some days he would cycle to his mates house and they would cycle back together.

The other bit of the article I remember was about him trying to time it so that his return leg of the journey was during peak commuter time as it often gave him someone to race :-)

I guess the advantage of working from home is that you don't need to worry about the ride home in the evening.

Perhaps there is something here that you might be able to incorporate?

Tiny

Hehe
I live a 7 minute walk (if I take is slowly) from work..quicker and easier to walk than to get bike out etc no commute for me either. My wife works from home as she is self employed. I have an electric treadmill in the conservatory that my wife "walks to work" on Mon-Fri

il_principe

Come on fella, MTFU! Just get out there and do it. Remember summer is on the way, so if it helps then wait for a warm dry day and get out when ever you can. Even if you don't fancy it you'll be back in the swing after a few minutes. Perhaps try plotting a less hilly route, or stick the bike in the car and drive somewhere flatter.

As for clubs etc, nothing wrong with cycling solo - it'll give you a better workout! I'm not a club member and enjoy riding solo, something I've done a lot on the last few months as my 2 cycling friends are out of commission.

As four routines, for early morning rides I tend to get my kit ready and leave it somewhere very visible, plan a route, fill bidons, prep the bike etc the night before then bounce out of bed with the alarm and get out asap. The less time spent c0cking about in the morning the better, give your brain less time to talk you out of it!

teagar

Golf's just as expensive, and there's probably similar amounts of snobbery (although clearly not on this site...).

The only difference is you get boils on your perrenium, ridiculous tan lines, big thighs, get to wear lots of lycra, and become a magnate for motorists abuse as opposed to looking like a geriatric, putting on weight, half-squating with a metal pole in your hand like you're about to explosively deficate all over some grass, and becoming a magnate for abuse from anti-social young men.

I am beginning to resent how expensive everything in cycling is! Shame it's the only sport I like doing! Other than motorsport, but that's hardly cheaper... :roll: