Mountain bike mojo

mlbaker

I have lost my mountain bike mojo and I think it stems from a lack of direction in my riding...

Recently when I've ridden alone I've returned home wondering what the point of the ride was? I took it easy on the ups and was poor downhill which makes the ride pointless to me as my fitness didn't benefit nor did I return grinning after nailing the downs.

Has anyone else gone through a patch like this and what do you recommend to cure such an ailment?

neil_sheehan2000

I lost my MTB mojo a while ago- just stopped enjoying it and started spending every weekend in the pub instead. After a year of this I realised that life certainly wasn't any more fun, probably less so. Went out on the bike again (Glentress in the snow actually) and some how it all just clicked back into place. Then I spent far too much money on a bike and can't afford to stop riding again.

I don't know what to advise, but I wouldn't leave it a year before you get back on your bike. Maybe join a club to push yourself on or just try riding somewhere new?

Hercule Q

go out with your mates and just dick about, that usually gets me smiling

trail jacker

i quit properly biking for about 5 months, started smoking again, and became generally lazy. i guess i just got fed up of feeling unhealthy and being bored which is why im recently back in the saddle now. i reckon you could buy something new for your bike or some cycling orientated kit to get you motivated again?

FSR Si

Currently lost my mojo too I've had 5 weeks off the bike due to having the snip and cant seem to find the motivation to get back on it, Plus all this feckin rain isn't helping :evil:

bomberesque

try some different things.

ride with mates. Nothing motivates like the thought of passing the guy ahead of you
If you have no mates, join a club
ride different places (if you can get to them)
ride different styles (got an old clunker? convert it to SS (cost about 30 quid), best weight training you can get on a bike short of track racing IMO)
even (gasp) try a little road riding

If you're riding a lot, then this can in itself be a problem. I usually ride 5 days a week (2-4 on road commuting, the rest off) and *need* those 2 days off the bioke to recover and not get physically jaded / fekked. That said, regular road riding (32k commute) for teh last year has done more for my cardio fitness than 20 years of riding mountain bikes

paul.skibum

+1 for variety.

I have been going to spin classes at the local gym recently - noticable increases in power and endurance in my legs - I can fly round local tracks now, always cranking gears. Probably would be bored if I had plodded along at the same fitness as last year. I also commute and do a 7 mile run home on road which I push my time on every day (currently hitting about 17 mins on my road tyred mtb).

I'd go and try some new trails or join a club for more people to ride with, enter a race, even just get on a train going anywhere and ride home for a change that doesnt need a loop followed.

.blitz

mlbaker wrote:

Has anyone else gone through a patch like this and what do you recommend to cure such an ailment?

Buy something - anything - for you or your bike. A bit of retail therapy always works.

NormalD

I went out at the weekend (knew I didn't have much time) and just did a little (5 Mile) loop on the back roads that I haven't ridden since I came back to cycling 8 months ago . When I got home I turned round and rode the same loop backwards. Did it in 45 mins and really enjoyed it (usually I hate riding on the road and look for any excuse to get off road)

Like most things in life variety is where it's at.

supertwisted

mlbaker wrote:

Recently when I've ridden alone I've returned home wondering what the point of the ride was? I took it easy on the ups and was poor downhill which makes the ride pointless to me as my fitness didn't benefit nor did I return grinning after nailing the downs.

I've had rides exactly like that. No energy on the ups and no skills on the downs. Just 2 hours slog on the bike and disappointment that I don't have the talent to ride it to a level that's any fun.

Can be disheartening, but I tend to just chalk it up experience and move on to the next ride. Like any sport, you're gonna have bad days. I've gone from an utterly rubbish ride one weekend to going out and really surprising myself with both my skill and fitness the following weekend.

Agree with the variation and new shiny bits theory too.
Recently went out for a road ride on my old MTB equipped with road tyres as a test run for commuting to work. Did a good 25 miles and absolutely flew, couldn't beleive how much quicker I am on road now. Even tough hills that previously popped my knees were easier.
And I've bought a cheap jump/street bike to embarress myself on trying to learn a few tricks.

mlbaker

Cheers for the advice, to whose who suggested buying something I've ordered a new frame which excites me and will definitely get me out again...

supertwisted

mlbaker wrote:

Cheers for the advice, to whose who suggested buying something I've ordered a new frame which excites me and will definitely get me out again...

What did you buy what did you buy!?

Steve Legend

Mmm, I'm the same at the moment, been 4 weeks since I've been on the bike. Even today I had 3 hours free which before I would have made use off, done 10-15 miles but nope...sat on my arse!

Hopefully it wont last long cos I've put about 5 pounds on! :shock:

trail jacker

mlbaker wrote:

Cheers for the advice, to whose who suggested buying something I've ordered a new frame which excites me and will definitely get me out again...

good stuff! enjoy!

FSR Si

FSR Si wrote:

Currently lost my mojo too I've had 5 weeks off the bike due to having the snip and cant seem to find the motivation to get back on it, Plus all this feckin rain isn't helping :evil:

Well after reading this thread i decided tonight to get off my ass and go ride, So i put my little girl to bed, Put down the beer can, then went out and did an 18 mile loop, Took it gentle at first to make sure all the gear was seated right then went for it....I think the mojo may be returning

mlbaker

I've purchased an On-One 456 Summer Season...

ride_whenever

oooo, good choice, a spanking hooligan of a bike will definitely get your mojo back...

bit like having a mistress!

Anonymous

ive been off my bike for a few months due to living no where near any inspiring riding.

i went to wales for a couple of days and i cant wait to get back there (althoug i did cut it a dy short, i thought id quit whilst i was ahead)

the whole thing including 2 nights camping and fuel cost about 60 quid and as a habitual bike spender i can honestly ay it is the best money ive spent on the bike (apart form the suspension and wheels of course but you know what i mean)

my advice, go and ride somthing a little bit too hard and see how much you can do, it certainly got me keen again.

supertwisted

mlbaker wrote:

I've purchased an On-One 456 Summer Season...

Nice, I'd love a go on one of them.

pte1643

trail jacker wrote:

i reckon you could buy something new for your bike or some cycling orientated kit to get you motivated again?

There's nothing like a good bit of "Retail Therapy".

Works wonders for ALL situations.

.blitz

FSR Si wrote:

Well after reading this thread i decided tonight to get off my ass and go ride, So i put my little girl to bed, Put down the beer can, then went out and did an 18 mile loop, Took it gentle at first to make sure all the gear was seated right then went for it....I think the mojo may be returning

Nice one. Some might call it selfish, but sometimes you just have to put everything aside and go out on your bike.

projectsome

I too kinda lost my mojo. Although I can still do all the techy stuff etc. I find I'm not pushing myself hard enough to the point I say "Hang on I think I've tweaked something."

I used to be able to push myself and get to work in 5 minutes but nowadays it's more like 20 mins.

I guess somewhere along the line the extra excitement goes and you stop pushing yourself