Motivation - really struggling

soulbrother74

Morning chaps

For over 8 months I've been really struggling with motivation to ride. Any excuse I can find I use it. I've probably done 4 rides in the last 3 months and each time absolutely hated it.

Anyone give any ideas for gee-ing up the motivation? Dunno what's going on but the thought of selling up has reared its ugly head and I've invested too much time and energy to do that.

Thanks.

chrisgal

Set yourself a challenge?? However to be honest if you're not enjoying it I'd take a complete break and stop worrying about it

Silly Old Hector

Chose a sunny day and cycle at your own pace in the quiet countryside - usually does it for me.

farrina

Is it just cycling with which you are struggling or are you flat generally, in which case the answer may lie elsewhere ?

You don't indicate as to your previous cycling experience and whether you are a relatively recent convert or a long standing "aficionado".

Personally I would go back to basics and ask yourself what you see as the purpose of riding your bike. Do you see it as a social activity, a means of keeping fit, as a competitive challenge or something else ?

For some cyclists it will be all of the above, whereas for others (depending on the time of year) they may have a particular focus. You need to identify what "floats your cycling boat" so to speak (man and machine in perfect harmony!).

Why are you struggling - is it traffic, bored riding on your own on the same old roads, cold/wet or struggling with your fitness (bit of a catch 22 this one as the less you do the more it will hurt!).

It would be easier to come up with substantive suggestions once you clarify why you lack motivation, but my first suggestion (and please don't feel intimidated by it ) would be to look for a local cycling club where you can feed on their combined knowledge, enthusiasm and the social aspects of life.

On a positive note this is the right time of year to be getting out on your bike - perhaps you need to treat yourself to some retail therapy be it some new cycle clothing, or training aid (Garmin 500 ?) whereby you can actually measure progress.

However perhaps this is for the future and for now, at its most basic, its a question of finding and igniting the fires within ....

The suggestion above of "choose a sunny day and cycle at your own pace in the quiet countryside" is a good one providing the terrain is flat (or the gears low).

Best wishes

Alan

johnny25

If you absolutely hate cycling, they why worry about not cycling?

If I absolutely hate doing something I stop doing it. Period.

However if you're not enjoying road cycling at the moment but, still want to continue then I would look to join a cycle club or have a go at a different cycle discipline - mountain bike etc.

In any activity that requires a (very) high degree of self motivation, goal setting could be the answer. Goals are down to the individual, so what they would be is up to you. So long as they are SMART you can't go wrong.

jonny_trousers

Slightly different to you, OP, but, although I don't really lack the motivation to ride, I'm really not enjoying it a great deal at the moment. I think I know why and you may be suffering for the same reasons. It comes down to two factors: lack of cycling fitness and boredom.

Up until seven or eight weeks ago I used to commute by bike to work. At that point I had my contract unlawfully broken and so I'm back to working freelance, which means no cycle commuting. I didn't realise until very recently how my 15 mile round trip five or six times a week must have kept my base fitness level at a point where doing longer training rides, or the odd 100 mile sportive, wasn't a huge challenge, but having tried to get out there riding for the last couple of weeks I've just found it an unpleasant struggle. On top of this, unless the weather is beautiful (which it's not), I'm getting pretty bored after an hour or so and the ride becomes exercise for exercise's sake only.

So, I've come to the conclusion that I once again have to cycle more frequently and more importantly, I have to cycle with others, both for motivation and for the social element. For me that means joining a club - something I've been threatening to do for years - as I have no local friends who are into cycling. Other than that I think the poster above makes a good point: why struggle on, why have all that expense sat around doing nothing, if we don't enjoy it?

imposter2.0

soulbrother74 wrote:

Morning chaps

For over 8 months I've been really struggling with motivation to ride. Any excuse I can find I use it. I've probably done 4 rides in the last 3 months and each time absolutely hated it.

Anyone give any ideas for gee-ing up the motivation? Dunno what's going on but the thought of selling up has reared its ugly head and I've invested too much time and energy to do that.

Thanks.

Cycling is not to everyone's liking. Maybe it's just not for you. Sorry that's not very motivational, but motivation usually comes from within, rather than external sources.

soulbrother74

Some good points. I've been cycling for 5/6/7/ years now - low miles to high miles and have suffered some huge upheavals in the last 12/18 months (divorce, new job, relocation, etc).

I'm not averse to putting the miles in when required. I still keep in touch with cycling and love the whole ethos of cycling. It's just feeling like I'm being left behind by compatriots and feeling generally flat when it comes to it.

Also my bike is standing there, looking at me and making me feel guilty (nothing amazing - a Boardman Carbon but a really nice Boardman with numerous upgrades).

Still, it's the motivation. It's killing me.

banditvic

The way the weather is at the moment, it is bit depressing. Try going somewhere a bit warmer a week in Majorca or Gran Canaria, and forget all the crap at home.

johngti

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Slightly different to you, OP, but, although I don't really lack the motivation to ride, I'm really not enjoying it a great deal at the moment. I think I know why and you may be suffering for the same reasons. It comes down to two factors: lack of cycling fitness and boredom.

Up until seven or eight weeks ago I used to commute by bike to work. At that point I had my contract unlawfully broken and so I'm back to working freelance, which means no cycle commuting. I didn't realise until very recently how my 15 mile round trip five or six times a week must have kept my base fitness level at a point where doing longer training rides, or the odd 100 mile sportive, wasn't a huge challenge, but having tried to get out there riding for the last couple of weeks I've just found it an unpleasant struggle. On top of this, unless the weather is beautiful (which it's not), I'm getting pretty bored after an hour or so and the ride becomes exercise for exercise's sake only.

So, I've come to the conclusion that I once again have to cycle more frequently and more importantly, I have to cycle with others, both for motivation and for the social element. For me that means joining a club - something I've been threatening to do for years - as I have no local friends who are into cycling. Other than that I think the poster above makes a good point: why struggle on, why have all that expense sat around doing nothing, if we don't enjoy it?

Whereabouts in SE London are you?

sigorman85

Silly Old Hector wrote:

Chose a sunny day and cycle at your own pace in the quiet countryside - usually does it for me.

This works 100%

jonny_trousers

johngti wrote:

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Slightly different to you, OP, but, although I don't really lack the motivation to ride, I'm really not enjoying it a great deal at the moment. I think I know why and you may be suffering for the same reasons. It comes down to two factors: lack of cycling fitness and boredom.

Up until seven or eight weeks ago I used to commute by bike to work. At that point I had my contract unlawfully broken and so I'm back to working freelance, which means no cycle commuting. I didn't realise until very recently how my 15 mile round trip five or six times a week must have kept my base fitness level at a point where doing longer training rides, or the odd 100 mile sportive, wasn't a huge challenge, but having tried to get out there riding for the last couple of weeks I've just found it an unpleasant struggle. On top of this, unless the weather is beautiful (which it's not), I'm getting pretty bored after an hour or so and the ride becomes exercise for exercise's sake only.

So, I've come to the conclusion that I once again have to cycle more frequently and more importantly, I have to cycle with others, both for motivation and for the social element. For me that means joining a club - something I've been threatening to do for years - as I have no local friends who are into cycling. Other than that I think the poster above makes a good point: why struggle on, why have all that expense sat around doing nothing, if we don't enjoy it?

Whereabouts in SE London are you?

My wife says West Dulwich. I say Gipsy Hill

johngti

Probably a little far off but there's a small group of us who ride around north kent most Sundays. You're welcome to join us.

jonny_trousers

johngti wrote:

Probably a little far off but there's a small group of us who ride around north kent most Sundays. You're welcome to join us.

Cheers! Where do you meet up?

johngti

Bexley, usually start off by riding towards Orpington. Don't always go for hours on end, usually 2-3 and it's not race speed by any means!

arthur_scrimshaw

johngti wrote:

Probably a little far off but there's a small group of us who ride around north kent most Sundays. You're welcome to join us.

Maybe this is the solution, try finding a group ride or local club, I really enjoy the boost of riding with other people as most of my stuff is solo.

DavidJB

I can't live more than 2 days without riding my bike! Set yourself a goal, but at the end of the day if you don't enjoy it whats the point in forcing yourself to do it. Find another sport/hobby.

jonny_trousers

johngti wrote:

Bexley, usually start off by riding towards Orpington. Don't always go for hours on end, usually 2-3 and it's not race speed by any means!

Thanks. Probably a touch far out for me, but I really appreciate the offer.

Just so that I'm not muddled up with the OP, I adore riding my bike, but I'm finding what I'm doing these days to be a little frustrating now that I can't commute. I've come to the conclusion that rides over a certain length of time need a social element, even if it's just to push each other harder.

I'm just down the road from Dulwich Paragon so I'd be stupid not to check them out.

soulbrother74

Giving it one last crack of the whip. Went for retail therapy (shoes, cleats and a couple other bits n bobs). If I can't get the bug back I'll be selling a load of really nice kit in the next 3 months. Assos, Mavic, Boardman, DHB, Torm, Garmin, the list is endless......

Miles253

soulbrother74 wrote:

Giving it one last crack of the whip. Went for retail therapy (shoes, cleats and a couple other bits n bobs). If I can't get the bug back I'll be selling a load of really nice kit in the next 3 months. Assos, Mavic, Boardman, DHB, Torm, Garmin, the list is endless......

Hope it doesn't come to that!

philbar72

Best thing I did was joining a club. Best because you can go out on rides to different parts of the country with like minded people, and seeing gradual improvement, to the point where I can now genuinely see myself change physically and be a lot faster than what I was ( a goal of sorts). With my club and a few of the folks from the club, I’ve been to the tour of Flanders and Liege Bastogne Liege, done several 100+ mile rides including some where I’ve gone to places I’ve never even heard of! I even started racing and Time trialling, and have learnt so much in a short time.

Stick at it though, as there are sometimes that you won’t want to be on the bike, and that’s understandable.

Mikey23

There is always golf...

markhewitt1978

banditvic wrote:

The way the weather is at the moment, it is bit depressing. Try going somewhere a bit warmer a week in Majorca or Gran Canaria, and forget all the crap at home.

That's the bit I struggle with most. I get really down when I plan out doing a ride and look at the forecast for Sunday and it's raining -- again.

jonny_trousers

Mikey23 wrote:

There is always golf...

The most inspiring reason to stick with cycling I've read so far

d_o_g

markhewitt1978 wrote:

That's the bit I struggle with most. I get really down when I plan out doing a ride and look at the forecast for Sunday and it's raining -- again.

Fit mudguards, wear appropriate clothing (but not those bloody rain jackets) and ride anyway, very rewarding.

iron-clover

As others have said, definitely join a club! There will be at least a few to choose from nearby, no matter where you are!

If I only rode by myself I'd have given up years ago- but I enjoy riding with the others, and now helping along newcomers in turn. There's nothing better than cruising between rolling fields in beautiful sunshine with a good group.

Also 'cause I'm still relatively young I can pick up the fitness to race without too much difficulty, so the competitive part comes through which gives some motivation to get out.

goonz

I sometimes lack the motivation too. Mainly due to the weather but recently also because I see other riders getting stronger and my performance stagnant.

markhewitt1978

D O G wrote:

markhewitt1978 wrote:

That's the bit I struggle with most. I get really down when I plan out doing a ride and look at the forecast for Sunday and it's raining -- again.

Fit mudguards, wear appropriate clothing (but not those bloody rain jackets) and ride anyway, very rewarding.

Yeah; I've tried it, I don't mind riding in the wet, as such, but I just hate hate hate rain, whatever I'm doing I just can't stand it. Now if it's something I have to do and it's raining then fine, I put up with it, but not when I have a choice in the matter.

markhewitt1978

iron-clover wrote:

As others have said, definitely join a club! There will be at least a few to choose from nearby, no matter where you are!

If I only rode by myself I'd have given up years ago- but I enjoy riding with the others, and now helping along newcomers in turn. There's nothing better than cruising between rolling fields in beautiful sunshine with a good group.

Also 'cause I'm still relatively young I can pick up the fitness to race without too much difficulty, so the competitive part comes through which gives some motivation to get out.

+1 on this. I've found unexpectedly that the biggest benefit from being in a club isn't so much going on the group rides, which I only do occasionally, but I've mad a lot of friends through Strava and club members comment on each others rides etc.

clickrumble

Study the map (preferably the OS) and find somewhere to go and visit on your bike that perhps you haven't been to before, eg place of interest, view point, town, village, pub, cafe!