Discussion
I need help.
About 5 years ago I took up cycling to lose weight and get fit. I lost 3stone, and started racing. I cycled in the fast group on club runs, hung on in reliability rides and gained my 3rd cat licence.
Fast forward to early this year, I purchased my house and money was/is tight, and due to the fact I'm not very good at racing (very rarely finishing in top 10) I decided to knock it on the head after racing a winter series, but continuer cycling.
My job was very cycling friendly, enabling me to ride for several hours a day beforehand, but in July I lost my job. My interest in cycling dwindled. I had 3 months without work, and where I should have been making the most of it, it became a chore. I was still cycling, but not training like I used too.
I got a new job in October, and since then my fitness has dropped further. It's 9 till 6 most days, and I cycle 4 days a week on average, half an hour each way. Problem is I have no motivation to train after I finish work. I still ride on Sundays but have had to drop back to the medium group. I get dropped on reliability rides very easily now. Cycling has become a chore.
My question is, how do I get my desire back. I have never been a good cyclist, but I had the time and enthusiasm to put in, and got reasonable payback. Now I seem to have no desire or enthusiasm, and I don't know why.
Do I need to go back to being coached? Do I need to stop riding to work? Do I need to leave my bike alone for a month? Advice required.
About 5 years ago I took up cycling to lose weight and get fit. I lost 3stone, and started racing. I cycled in the fast group on club runs, hung on in reliability rides and gained my 3rd cat licence.
Fast forward to early this year, I purchased my house and money was/is tight, and due to the fact I'm not very good at racing (very rarely finishing in top 10) I decided to knock it on the head after racing a winter series, but continuer cycling.
My job was very cycling friendly, enabling me to ride for several hours a day beforehand, but in July I lost my job. My interest in cycling dwindled. I had 3 months without work, and where I should have been making the most of it, it became a chore. I was still cycling, but not training like I used too.
I got a new job in October, and since then my fitness has dropped further. It's 9 till 6 most days, and I cycle 4 days a week on average, half an hour each way. Problem is I have no motivation to train after I finish work. I still ride on Sundays but have had to drop back to the medium group. I get dropped on reliability rides very easily now. Cycling has become a chore.
My question is, how do I get my desire back. I have never been a good cyclist, but I had the time and enthusiasm to put in, and got reasonable payback. Now I seem to have no desire or enthusiasm, and I don't know why.
Do I need to go back to being coached? Do I need to stop riding to work? Do I need to leave my bike alone for a month? Advice required.
Try a different type of cycling?
From your post it seems you do loads of road cycling which I'm sure will get boring no matter how good you are.
Avoid cycling to work so often and maybe try and bit of XC or cycle-cross?
Cycling to work turns into a chore rather than a hobby, much like driving to work isn't fun (usually due to traffic though).
From your post it seems you do loads of road cycling which I'm sure will get boring no matter how good you are.
Avoid cycling to work so often and maybe try and bit of XC or cycle-cross?
Cycling to work turns into a chore rather than a hobby, much like driving to work isn't fun (usually due to traffic though).
Yep, try something different. I was mainly a MTBer for ~20 years but started as a roadie and concentrated on that in the winter, but a few years ago I realised I'd lost a lot of my enthusiasm for riding off road. I sold my Orange and bought a better road bike and I haven't looked back, I still do a bit of MTB stuff here and there but I'm enjoying my riding more than ever now.
If you fancy having a change don't blow a load of cash on a bike just in case it doesn't work out, but I reckon it will get you going again.
If you fancy having a change don't blow a load of cash on a bike just in case it doesn't work out, but I reckon it will get you going again.
The best thing about racing is that it gives you motivation and focus. It make the suffering easier to endure. I train around 4 times a week and I really try to suffer to make the racing easier to the extent I now longer enjoy going out for a bimble on the bike; everything has to be 'training'. I start the training season in Feb and continue until Xmas (road season into Cyclocross). If I stopped racing I think I'd just stop all riding because it would be too dull. I like racing and training but I no longer enjoy just cycling.
It might be useful to work out what kind of cycling you can do for the love of it. Commuting is done for a reason, and you don't want the pressure of racing. Maybe a complete break for a couple of months would help re-engage you? Either that or blow £4000 on a new bike - that usually increases enthusiasm for a while.
It might be useful to work out what kind of cycling you can do for the love of it. Commuting is done for a reason, and you don't want the pressure of racing. Maybe a complete break for a couple of months would help re-engage you? Either that or blow £4000 on a new bike - that usually increases enthusiasm for a while.
In short, I don't think there is a way to make yourself feel desire to do something, you either do or don't.
At the minute I've a massive appetite for cycling and am on the bike for nearly 20 hours a week sometimes.
I had a little taste of racing (and from that it would appear I will be pretty good at it) and it was a whole new level of excitement, I literally cannot wait to get back on the track and do a few winter series races.
I've got some goals for next year, and some goals for the winter series (get out of cat 4). Maybe you should try some goals?
At the minute I've a massive appetite for cycling and am on the bike for nearly 20 hours a week sometimes.
I had a little taste of racing (and from that it would appear I will be pretty good at it) and it was a whole new level of excitement, I literally cannot wait to get back on the track and do a few winter series races.
I've got some goals for next year, and some goals for the winter series (get out of cat 4). Maybe you should try some goals?
I found whenever I become good at anything (or even competent), I lose interest whenever my involvement steps down. For example, I learned to play drums, enjoyed bashing them at home, played in bands for years then when I stopped gigging, I lost interest in playing them at all. They have sat in the cupboard for a decade (I won't sell them).
I had a fun car, did loads of trackdays and European tours in it. Stopped touring when I got married and had kids, and sold the car. No regrets by the way.
After a period away - I find my interest picks up again. I'm playing drums again, and can see my looking for a band in the medium future. The downside is that my talent, energy and stamina will need building back up again... which will no doubt be worse for a racing cyclist. But as long as you enjoy it, go for it. If you don't enjoy it, try a different dscipline (MTB?).
I had a fun car, did loads of trackdays and European tours in it. Stopped touring when I got married and had kids, and sold the car. No regrets by the way.
After a period away - I find my interest picks up again. I'm playing drums again, and can see my looking for a band in the medium future. The downside is that my talent, energy and stamina will need building back up again... which will no doubt be worse for a racing cyclist. But as long as you enjoy it, go for it. If you don't enjoy it, try a different dscipline (MTB?).
Youve obviously ridden to a pretty high level
I think you just need to find a new challenge
Against all expectation I entered the Etape this year and to my amazement did pretty well
Afterwards getting on a bike to ride through a couple of hours of autumnal misery in the UK just didnt hack it so I didnt
Consequently Im out of shape and lacking in motivation
Doing 5km is an effort and I just couldnt be arsed
Until the weekend just gone when I decided to do the Marmotte in 2012
Mouse fingers at the ready tomorrow for entry and Ive been tweaking my bike all evening in anticipation
Now Im itching for the weekend - bring it on.......
Cheers
Thanks for your replies.
I'm not convinced another form of cycling is possible, more of a financial issue really, I can't get another bike. I also have to cycle to work to save money on fuel.
The "challenge" theory sounds about about right. I was never good at racing, but I had a goal, I had to be fit enough to keep up. I feel I lack that now. I have no cycling plans as such. No targets.
I think that might be the issue.
I'm not convinced another form of cycling is possible, more of a financial issue really, I can't get another bike. I also have to cycle to work to save money on fuel.
The "challenge" theory sounds about about right. I was never good at racing, but I had a goal, I had to be fit enough to keep up. I feel I lack that now. I have no cycling plans as such. No targets.
I think that might be the issue.
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