What I want for Christmas....my cycling mojo back!

degsy_103

I have had a pretty good cycling year, probably my best to date. Completed my usual sportives in fastest times yet, stepped up to the A group in my cycling club, and for the most part, held my own. And was even contemplating taking a racing licence for next year.

But then at the end of September was struck with a bout of sciatica/lower back pain. Probably brought on by a particularly gruelling sportive. Anyway, physio sorted the issue, but was off the bike for 6 weeks. Since then I have really struggled to pick up the enthusiasm to get back out. I did go on a couple of clubs runs ( not the A group I might add), but it felt like torture - loss of fitness, heavy winter bike, a few extra pounds round my waist, cold weather.....all combined to make it less than enjoyable.

As each week passes, the fitness disappears into the distance, and the prospect of going out seems less appealling. But I do feel guilty about not going out. Vicious circle

I suppose I just have to accept where I am, take a break, put togther some goals for the New Year.

There, thats of my chest. Feel better already. Anyone else ?

dave35

Its hard to get it back but you just have to kick your own butt and do it.
I had 2 years off racing when my daughter was born,then just went out for a ride when i felt like it-soon saw that my 10 mile p.b was coming to an end so hit the bike hard and got my 10 mile p.b to within 10 secs of what it was.
It could be that its cold outside that is putting you off-doing the same for me but just get your kit on and get out,you might surprise yourself

mallorcajeff

i know the feeling i had an awful saturday on the bike this week couldnt get into it got dropped off the back of a quick group which has never happened, had no energy and ended up going back home with the hump and sat on the sofa and ate winter food. Could well have somethign to do with the time of year lots of negativity about this year beign rammed down our throats 24-7, there seems to be no feel good factor about anything. And now we have a royal baby going to be in the news every day for the next millenium Is all I need. I think its a case of try ride it out. I felt much better the next day but think maybe overdoing it.

Its not a great strategy but maybe buy something new and blingy to make you go and want to ride more? New clothes? New Wheels? hell a new bike? Maybe book a week away in the sun if money allows thats allways nice. I have booked a week in Italy for next year and that will keep me going through the winter.

good luck

Gizmodo

Book a cycling holiday in Mallorca or Tenerife or somewhere?

djhermer

Agree with Gizmodo. I was in this place in September - was off the bike from April - July after a knee op and just couldn't get back into it - even with the summer weather, the Olympic buzz and the TdF....nada was happening. The odd occasion i went out i was so obsessed with how unfit i'd become in the 3 month (total) lay off, that i didn't want to go out.

So, sweet talked the wife and got a pass for a week on my tod in Mallorca mid-September. Just me, the bike, the sun and the roads. Covered about 500 miles in 6 days on the bike and haven't looked back since.... Was the best thing i could have done and worked a treat. It's also surprising how cheap holidays are when it's just you..

degsy_103

Strangely enough, I have been scouring t'internet for holidays to Tenerife - maybe that is the problem, we did not get the Half Term break in the sun this year, which makes the winter that bit longer.

As for new stuff, been trying to work a way of telling the wife I want a Garmin for Christmas - If I tell her it may make a little less miserable, it could seal the deal.

But I agree, I just need to get out. Simple as that.

mallorcajeff

good lad

blackpoolkev

I sometimes feel that the tipping point between thinking about riding and going riding,is pulling on that first bit of cycling gear.Once you've started getting dressed for the ride,there's no turning back.

FlacVest

blackpoolkev wrote:

I sometimes feel that the tipping point between thinking about riding and going riding,is pulling on that first bit of cycling gear.Once you've started getting dressed for the ride,there's no turning back.

This. Some weekends when I wake up at 8 or 9, I just want to lay in bed (college student, so I'm tired by default). Getting up, drinking coffee, eating something, and putting shorts on is all it takes before I'm mentally ready to ride.

Sometimes you have to prime your body/mind before hand. I tend to, again, drink coffee and try to eat something; I'm not much of a morning eater, so that helps. Watching a few crit races on youtube is great too

You could also hang out at your LBS and ask people if they want a riding partner.

nunowoolmez

I'm kind of in the same boat. I have been off the saddle since mid June. I'd done both the Fred Whitton & The Dragon Ride which were my target events, & then a week after the Dragon i go & badly injure my ankle at work. Double ankle fracture & lots of torn ligament damage, & it is proving to be a long road to a full recovery.

I am probably at a stage where i should be out on the bike getting myself match fit again & also helping the ankle get better but for me it's a confidence thing. I am a bit afraid that if i get out & find it is too much for the ankle i will be really really down. I had to cancel a trip to the Alps in the summer but have a trip to Majorca planned for Feb & have rebooked the Alps for next summer.

This waether isn't exactly helping me, but i guess i just need to MTFU!!!

housemunkey

I'm kind of feeling this way now about my riding. I went away with work and with the weather just before I went and after I got back, I ended up not going out for 4 weeks. Put on half a stone and lost a bunch of motivation. Booked a turbo in for an xmas present from the rents and hoping this along with a winter bike to help me get out in the sh!t weather will help out a bunch.

MuddyFunster

Been there, worn the T-shirt... Two things got me back on the bike:
1) A riding buddy demanding that you get off your ar$e and get on the bike
2) Getting out a proper OS map (the paper variety - anyone else still remember / use them?!) and looking for some new routes to explore.

Tiltzey Boy

I'm with you on this one Degsy! Abdominal surgery back in August halted my good progress, I was up to 40 miles daily (commuting), 4 days a week, then a good 40-50 miler on a Sunday morning! Fitness levels were good (for me anyway), and the time on the bike was always enjoyable, well as far as I remember anyway.

Post-surgery, took me 8 weeks before I could get back on the bike, and I just can't get back in to the routine! The alarm gets "Snoozed" most mornings until I'm too late to ride in to work so have to take the car, and the weekend rides are few and far between now!

The sudden drop in temperatures has now given me another excuse not to get on the bike too!

I'm another one who needs to MTFU! Anyone fancy a ride out this weekend?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!!?!?!?!?

Bellypopper

Hmm... I am reading this thread with great interest. I tore my hamstring at the beginning of October. I had around 3 weeks off the bike. On the fourth week, i did manage to do a couple of very short rides (3-5 miles). Over the next week managed to get up to 10 miles, but really have to push myself to get out. I went out with three mates over 3 weeks ago, did 30 miles, and really enjoyed it (although was quite slow, and slowed them all down!) Since that ride, I have not been out, or on the trainer at all. I know I will enjoy it once I get out, but just can't get motivated. I also have the guilt thing as well, which makes things worse, as I end up getting annoyed with myself, and feeling down I know I need to kick myself up the a*se, but its not easy!!

Cheers
Russ

rc856

My work gets in the way of a good time! Get 2 weekends off (in a row) out of a 5 week shift cycle.
Even with our club heading to Mallorca next April, I'm finding it hard to get myself doing stuff in between the Sunday club runs. Love the group runs but doing anything on my own is completely different.
Meanwhile, everyone else is getting out every Sunday with stuff during the week as well. :?

andyeb

I'd recommend planning an easy route that is just 5 or 10 miles, getting out there and taking it really, really easy. If you have a heart rate monitor, try and stay in the range 60-70% of maximum heart rate, even on the hills. Remind yourself you aren't out there to set any records, forget about Strava etc. just aim to get out there and enjoy the simple pleasure of a short, gentle ride - enjoy the sights, sounds, smells of riding again.

Try and do this a few times a week, slowly building up the distance. This will help to re-establish your base fitness as well as providing an enjoyable way back into cycling again. Once you've done that for a while, you'll want to start pushing yourself again and you can take it from there.

Hope that helps,

Andrew

Markjaspi

I never realised how difficult it would be if you had some time out. I've been doing 80-100 min. miles a week since starting again in August, plus some time spent on thr spin cycle in the gym and really got my fitness levels etc. up. I've had a cold now since the last day in November and only managed my first ride of 19 miles on Tuesday, I really struggled (still not fully over the cold) and average speed was down by 2.5mph.

I managed to get out again today for 23 miles and again found it really hard work but average speed increased a little, about 1.4 mph faster.

Never mind I suppose the main thing was I really enjoyed it, I tried a new route that I've been mulling over since I've been out of it, so that was my big push to go back out.

Reane_Machine

Dark, cold mornings and lots of dodgy conditions are turning me off.

The only saving grace is my commute on main roads which tend to be in a better condition. Want to get out more but fear of danger on country lanes/freezing my feet off is stopping me.

Once i'm out though, it's great. Which is what I try to remember when contemplating a ride.

Secteur

Another one here... no injury, just 1 week bad weather, 2 weeks holiday, 2 weeks jury service + bad weather = 5 weeks off the bike and I am daily losing the will to get back to it.

Ate freely on holiday and am now 4kg heavier than 5 weeks ago!!

I just need to get back into it, but I seem to be looking for every excuse not to get out - bit too cold, bit too windy...

I think once I do one ride, it'll all come back, but the weather does make it miserable :-(

Why cant we all just live in Majorca!!

Reane_Machine

Secteur wrote:

Why cant we all just live in Majorca!!

Because then we'd all be complaining that it was too hot

teisetrotter

Ahhhh I have a fix for this .......... I have to keep fit due to a joint issue, doctors orders. The excuses come thick and fast though.

First of all I love my christmas pud/ale/dinners parties; then comes the six nations drinking fest; then comes the spring mayfly and so I'll be on the river fishing as often as I can .......... then the cricket is in full flow. Somehow I have to maintain a job and marriage between all this.

If you are not enjoying it get some distractions so you miss it. Or maybe go to a gym and run on a treadmill for 40 minutes and then 40 minutes on a exercise bike a couple times of a week, that is what I did over this cold snap. I tell you that mindless tedium will drive you back on the bike quicker than anything in the world ....... it's sole destroying. I motivated myself for that by saying I'll reward you with three pints London Pride and a two rides this weekend, otherwise it's home to bed with no supper and a weekend of DIY.

Or lastly book one of these mad winter Audax's with a bunch of mates.
http://www.aukweb.net/events/

#david2012

Enter a challenging sportive for next year so u know u have to train & put some miles in !