ARGH!

gosport_commuter

I just need to spit ball!

Recently (last 3 weeks or so) I have really struggled to keep the enthusiasm going for my 8.5 mile each way commute. about 14 months ago I sold my trusty baby kawasaki ninja (which I adored!) and took to pedalling to work instead.

I havn't really looked back at all until recently, I have had to work extra hours, an extra day here and there - and alot harder (physically - I work setting and running milling machines in a workshop, and spend 9+ hours a day on my feet). I have felt extremely tired recently, I have tried to up my food intake, but all that has done is supply me with a few extra pounds to cart up the hills :? Just rolling out of bed at 6-6:30am has been tragically hard.

Now - I understand that cycling 80 miles a week is what is keeping me in shape these days, I do no more excercise, and for that reason I continue on, but I dont feel good anymore.

I am desperately trying not to scour ebay for a motorbike (failed! got a bandit, a GPZ, and 2 Fazers in my watch list already) - A motorbike means It takes 20 mins to get to work not 40 - a motorbike means negligable tax/insurance and fuel - a motorbike means wrap up warm and forget about sweat (at least in winter) - a motorbike means respect and nods from other motorbikes - a motorbike means an end to the constant purchases of cycling (to an extent) - a motorbike means speed and fun in massive helpings - a motorbike above all else carries me on the days where I dont have the energy or want to pedal - a motorbike also takes me further and faster than my legs can ever hope to.

You can see where my head is at - talk me out (or into) of it!

bails87

Just do it, assuming you can afford it. Don't drag yourself onto the bike every day if you're not enjoying it.

Have a week on the m'bike as a treat and then get back onto the bike with however many days you want in between on the m'bike.

veronese68

I sold my Ducati to force myself to cycle. I have had a couple of relapses but they have both been sold after a short while. I'm probably not helping here but allow yourself a little fling. Buy yourself a cheap motorbike now and sell it in the summer and you should make enough to cover the cost of insurance.

flashgorman

I sold my R6 and bought a moped. This ensures I take the pushbike unless I've just coughed up a lung due to illness.

nich

Motorbikes are cool, do it

I seem to use mine about once a week for commuting. Gives me a rest plus I enjoy riding them.

Your'll use it on the weekends too right? Get one ....

rjsterry

I don't have the option of a m/bike, and for my commute, so I'm stuck with pedal power or public transport. I do sympathise though: tiredness really does take the edge off the enjoyment of cycling. Try some different routes if you can to introduce some variety, you may find one that is quicker, or at least easier. Also, try and get to bed earlier - sounds obvious, but I'm terrible at it myself, and it doesn't help. On the food side, there's food and food: just piling on the calories isn't going to do the job - if you have a physically demanding job, plus the cycling, you need to give a bit of thought to getting right balance of food types. You don't need to obsess about it, just the basic balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg.

That said, a day off the bike every now and then does wonders.

Fireblade96

No reason you can't have a motorbike as well - I've got two sitting in the garage :-)
I still mostly cycle to work, but it's nice to have the option....

gosport_commuter

Interesting set of replies - not quite what I was expecting, but very helpful.

I hadn't really considered the diet side of things too much, maybe I'll have to look into having less chocolate calories and more of something useful and see if that helps some. At the same time I think I may take a few days off, or a week of - although come xmas I get a forced 1.5 weeks off so I may stick it out til then if i can.

And If all else fails I have to say I'm VERY taken with the idea of a 6 month "fling" as suggested by Veronese68! I have always held the opinion that if I had a motorbike I would never take the pushbike, but knowing you have had a couple of relapses and still returned to cycling has helped with my internal monologue no end!

I also have to say flashgorman - I think I would die of shame swapping an R6 for a moped - But I can see how it would motivate you to cycle!
Thanks guys!

jimmypippa

More sleep? E-bike as a midway option?

hoolio

If you get the motorbike you'll probably cycle less, but you'll enjoy it more when you do. Equally, when you're not cycling you'll enjoy being on the motorbike. Sounds like a win win.

hegyestomi

Strava...

gtvlusso

There are quite a few ex-motorcyclist/reformed cyclists on here.

My own story;

I used to commute by Motorbike every morning; I started off on a GSXR600R and would try to max it out between roundabouts on our dual carraigeway local ring-road, I could touch about 140mph. Then I got a GSXR1000K4 (The Widowmaker), I could now touch around 160MPH before having to brake for the RAB. :shock: I got so carried away that I once got my knee down in jeans and nearly took off my kneecap. I used to get my knee down with my wife on the back......Sheer idiocy.

I then bought a Ducati 916SPS with Termignoni 50mm exhausts - It was staggeringly loud and used to set car alarms off as I passed by at low speed, it was rarely at low speed.

However, after a few near misses and becoming a complete liability to myself and others, I sold the Ducati, bought a new kitchen and had kids.

I am now very thankful that I did not cause an accident on a motorbike - I have held a license and ridden for 21 years in total and raced in the local club races for a season.

For me; Keeping the beer belly off, staving off ill health, being fitter and being less likely to cause a major road fubar is a good thing.....

But I understand the draw and the addiction to motorbikes; it can only be curbed with the purchase of a high end racing bicycle (preferably Italian) and entering a sportive.....

davmaggs

I think you may have gone wrong me thinking that it was motorbike or bicycle. Why not own both and mix the commuting up?

Nothing wrong with taking days off the bicycle if you have an odd shift time, or simply need a rest day.

Wrath Rob

Take a couple of days off of the bike. You'll feel refreshed and keen to get back on it. Don't force it or you'll end up resenting the ride.

mroli

Me too - I had a motorbike, but when I got took off it (by a large earth mover in London - filtering on outside), I didn't buy a new one and got a scooter and went to my bike more often. There are days when I just can't face cycling in (pouring with rain and/or legs are sore) so having an alternative is good. Having said that, I ALWAYS feel better for riding - some of the time, its just the effort to get out there and do it.

BigLights

Agree with all of the above comments, but I'm coming from the opposite end of the spectrum. Used to commute by motorbike (ZX6R) which was amazing but actually not that practical in central London. So I got myself a moped for city use. Then tried cycling, which is how I got the bug. I now find that I cycle 99% of the time and on the rare occasions when I don't i just cannot seem to get going all day....

gosport_commuter

Thanks for the stories / advice!

I ran the idea of getting a motorbike again past the missus today - expecting flying crockery, waving knifes, and all that other domestic jazz. BUT very surprisingly she's given me a green light! I'm quite excited to be honest and Im loving the ideas of mixing the commuting up.

So motorcyle fling it will probably be sometime soon! Sill feeling a little guilty and dont dare mention the idea to my trusty Dawes!

markchalmers

Rule #5

I just started commuting and I'm doing the same sort of shit patterns as you get up 6:15 leave at 6:45 get back to mine about 7PM it's tiring but if you set goals and try to beat yourself I find it more fun. also eat more and sleep more

gosport_commuter

Soooo

Last weekend bought myself a little Baby Ninja! GPZ500. Spend all week taking it to work, and aside from a general service, and a bit of tidying up she's a great bike. Looking to get an oil change in tomorrow leaving most the work til it warms up a wee bit!

So now it's having the expected effects - cold hands, massive fun factor, and missing my cross bike. I'm thinking about how exactly to "mix it up".

1. I could take the motorbike at the start of the week, and end of the week with my clothes for work etc (I usually take them in with me cycling) and ride my crossbike the 2-3 days in between.

2. I could alternate weeks - dedicate 1 week to the motorbike, then the next to the pushbike, only taking the Motorbike if I am particularly tired or late.

I'm leaning towards no. 2 purely because it will require less clothing rotations/changes etc and I think I would find it easier to stick to, BUT I'm worried that it wont work well at keeping my fitness level up because of the length of time I'll be off the pushbike? Does anyone have experience to alternating weeks and how did your body react to it? Could you maintain weight/fitness or is it too long?

Cheers guys!