no motivation

pbriggsmbr

God im struggle with motivation for riding. Ive done well this year with racing, however sinse finishing 2 month ago my motivation has dwindled down to zero. How does anyone stay motivated over the winter. Any ideas would be appreciated.

47p2

I set myself a modest 80 mile target on Strava this week, by Friday I had done 94.3 miles so thought I would tweak my target up to 100 miles as there were still 2 days left and although a Saturday ride was out there was still Sunday to make up the shortfall...Big mistake as it has been chucking it down and blowing a gale here all day and I've been watching the forecast hoping it would clear up for an hour. With time running out I decided to bite the bullet and venture out tonight as the storm had quietened down a bit and I managed to do 11 miles without too much of a problem.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is to set yourself targets that are achievable, they don't need to be massive and if you do reach the target change the goalpost a little to go that bit further

imposter2.0

pbriggsmbr wrote:

God im struggle with motivation for riding. Ive done well this year with racing, however sinse finishing 2 month ago my motivation has dwindled down to zero. How does anyone stay motivated over the winter. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Not interested in improving next year then?

okgo

Imposter wrote:

pbriggsmbr wrote:

God im struggle with motivation for riding. Ive done well this year with racing, however sinse finishing 2 month ago my motivation has dwindled down to zero. How does anyone stay motivated over the winter. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Not interested in improving next year then?

What he said.

What motivates me is not beating people and myself.

buckles

Don't you enjoy riding your bike?

I only found motivation difficult after long periods of regular training. More motivated during winter than Summer! Try having a week or two of doing something completely different, forget the idea of training. Then just go out for leisure rides to enjoy being out on the bike. IMO enjoyment is the key to staying motivated, otherwise, what's the point? It's not a job, nor an obligation or personal responsibility, it is supposed to be for fun!

cougie

Get a MTB and get offroad in the cold ?
Get a funky turbo and videos ?
Get new kit ?
Enter a kick ass sportif for next year that you know you'll struggle on ?
Join a club or take part in their rides more ?
Book a training camp or just take the bike off to the sun ?

Wrath Rob

Book some races for next year. I find an impending goal really helps get me motivated for it.

kajjal

Going out when you really don't fancy it is very good training. It teaches you how to handle poor form brought on by poor motivation. A bit like the mental equivalent of hill training. Also you will be maintaining your core fitness which in a few months time puts you in a very good position to push on with more training as the weather improves and the days lengthen.

People who push through it do a lot better than those that don't.

pbriggsmbr

Some very good input, I do agree I need to stop thinking about riding my bike as training every time I ride. I will start by setting some small goals and go from there and try to maintain some small level of fitness.

flywheel88

The best thing to do is just push through even if you don't want to do it. After, you are glad you did. Eventually you will enjoy it again and get a high from it. It is just a matter of being committed. And believe me, I know this is easier said than done from personal experience!

cyclingsheep

Try a different discipline? I'm finding cyclocross is great over the winter, you focus more on technique and just ride full on if you're racing so no time to get bored.

mpatts

Personally, I think mixing it up is a good idea, in prep for next years racing I am doing a mix of MTB, running, home gym, turbo, and road riding.

I also bought myself a winter training bike - full guards, weighs a tonne, and this really helps. I also adopt the "I'll just do ten mins" if I don't feel like it - this is dead easy to achieve, and often you feel like staying out for longer.

LegendLust

pbriggsmbr wrote:

God im struggle with motivation for riding. Ive done well this year with racing, however sinse finishing 2 month ago my motivation has dwindled down to zero. How does anyone stay motivated over the winter. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Did you have a month off training after you finished racing? I always have a month where I don't train, just enjoy riding the bike, cafe rides with mates at low speed etc

It gives you a break mentally and physically from hammering yourself the rest of the year. That way your batteries are re-charged and hopefully ready to set some goals and start hitting them

buckles

get injured, then your motivation will skyrocket

bahzob

Book yourself in to do a tough challenge and imagine yourself doing well in it.

Some events are already open for booking, for those that are not just put into next year's diary in big block capitals.

bigpikle

maybe get some cycling mags or browse the web for interesting stuff to read about cycling - events, races, the pros, a challenge ride etc. I find that sort of stuff wants me to at least get on the bike and go ride. How about buying a new bit of kit - a jacket etc that might get you interested in trying it out?

Otherwise just get a couple of mates together and just go ride with no goals other than a social event....

yck016

motivation is always a problem, in fact in any sports. however, in cycling its more apparent when one is not doing events or competition. to me, every outing is made a motivating factor eg being in the open and the freedom to express oneself esp in cross country cycling. getting the butt off the couch is the most difficult part.

dw300

1. Log into Strava
2. Open profile of guy who always beats you
3. Observe workload of more than twice your training
4. ??????
5. Profit

supermurph09

dw300 wrote:

1. Log into Strava
2. Open profile of guy who always beats you
3. Observe workload of more than twice your training
4. ??????
5. Profit

^^^^^ This!! I'm currently struggling to get on the bike (new born baby not settling!) and every day I'm looking at my club mates on Strava putting in the work. I'm ready to snap my cranks I've got so much motivation!!

markhewitt1978

madasahattersley wrote:

Less thinking more doing. It only takes one really good ride to make your motivation do a U turn.

This. I've been a few periods where I've really struggled to get out of the door - but once I did it transformed everything. Getting out of the door is by far the most difficult aspect of cycling - I find.

racingcondor

I'd also say that at this time of year riding through the bad weather is great fun if you have the kit to stay comfortable doing it.

The last couple of years I've had a week in the sun in January and suddenly found I can't get back on the bike when I get back. This year I'm taking a different tack, I've cancelled my race plans for tomorrow (racing in gusty 20+mph winds and torrential rain may not work out) but instead I plan on heading out for a gentle 50 miles enjoying the peace and quiet of relatively empty country roads when all the fair weather types hide indoors (bike cleaning on Sunday...).

junglist_matty

I like to ride to be outside, to enjoy the country and to be a part of the seasonal changes, in other words, to enjoy the great outdoors. I much prefer an hour on the bike in the freezing cold air than being sat inside watching some cr@p on the TV.... Then it gives you a good excuse for having that beer or two in the evening! (It's also a hell of a lot more fun than going to the gym). Humans are naturally lazy and sometimes its hard to motivate yourself to get out but it's a case of mind over matter, I always find that the thought of getting out on my bike is a whole lot worse; once out, it's really enjoyable (at least on most days).

Don't treat every ride as training, just enjoy the great outdoors, there's loads to see around you, you just have to look and appreciate it.

Velonutter

We were talking about this very thing this morning at a Cafe break, by the end of July I had done 4000 Miles since January, then had a nasty off followed by having to re-stabilise myself on insulin, before I knew it I was down to less than 50-80 miles a week, couldn't be bothered some of the time, turns out my son-in-law was going through the same thing, turns out that it is a very common thing and the best thing to do is have a complete break, how long for seems to vary with the norm being a couple of months or longer.

I've decided that I will not force myself to ride when I really don't want to and to ride with good mates and forget about averages etc. and just enjoy the riding, I'll let you know if it works out!

Mr Dog

I'll happily trade places with you. Busted my knee in an mtb session ( I know serves me right ). Since then done zip for two months. Awaiting more X rays whilst getting emails from Strava telling me some one directional wind surfer has stolen one of my last remaining KOMS. Meanwhile I'm drinking more than Bradley on a bender and getting older and more bitter.
Just ride. Switch off all your gadgets. Listen to the sound of your tyres crackling as you wind down the road. Squeal like a mad loon as you barrel down your favourite descent. Smile at that stranger as you share the cool winter air. One day you won't have the opportunity. .. :-)

Toks

This will vary according to rider but there are some key component which can help 'increase motivation
1. Make the task easier: ride with less fit riders than yourself, make the ride really short (<1hr); ride to the shops and back; or ride to a mates have a meal and come back home - build from there
2. Reward yourself after a number of rides- do 5-10 rides and treat yourself to new gear, gadgets, trip out,training camp etc
3. Come up with some long term season goals - sportive, a particular race you wanna do well in etc
4. Strip things back and make it simple - take off your cycle computer/garmin; don't ride in cycling gear for the first ride; don't go near any hills; invite an uinfit friend/ partner/child to come with you
5. Do something else - cyclo cross; track; moutain bike; turbo (with vids/DVD's); spin class;
6: Don't put pressure on yourself - you don't need to be fit right now
7. Imagine what your rivals are doing - getting fitter (may not work for everyone!!)
8. Don't do the same old loops/rides, go ride somewhere else - ride with a club (perhaps you need some new cycling buddies)
9. Re evaluatre the goals, you don't have to start racing in Feb/March/ - maybe this time round stary in May
10. Stop being a big wuss, get inspired- and get training now!!
Good Luck

markynulty

9 weeks until the first road race of the new season. Not enough to motivate you ;-)???

dw300

Simply don't ride your bike for a while. You'll be itching to get back on within 3-4 days if you're supposed to be taking a week off.

Your CNS could be run down. By doing the above you'll know when you should cycle again because you'll want to.

smoggysteve

madasahattersley wrote:

Good plan, and throw the garmin in the bin and do it for the joy not the numbers

Best idea. just enjoy it with no data to push you. No Garmin or Strava. Just a leisurely ride.

Even a slow paced ride to keep the legs moving is better than sitting on your sofa doing nothing

richa

madasahattersley wrote:

throw the garmin in the bin and do it for the joy not the numbers

Or buy a Garmin & join Strava. Horses for Courses and all that.

Mikey23

Or rummage around in bins for discarded garmins and join strava... Simples