Finding/making time to ride
Discussion
I guess this is more aimed at those on here with families and younger kids.
Now that the sun has decided to finally make an appearance and we are probably due a handful of sunny weekend until October, I find myself at odds with being rather time poor with the opportunities to go out and actually ride. With work Mon-Fri and familial responsibilities during most the remaining time and the weather only being decent for half of the summer weekends (if I am being optimistic) I found myself going out and riding probably a dozen times last year.
Even with those summer weekends I both want to and feel obliged to be spending those fleeting good days doing stuff outdoors with my young daughter. I would also get it in the neck if I disappeared most Sundays.
Is it just me or do any of you experience this? I thought I found a hack where I could get out by 6am on Sunday morning and be back home by mid morning. I don't commute by bike but would love to do more recreational riding. Do other posters here go about it any other way? ie book up a few certain events on the Calendar ahead of time (ie trackdays, short tours etc) to get their biking fix or is it something to just suck up for the meanwhile, or do you just go off and do things without the guilt.
Apologies for the slightly navel gazing post!
Now that the sun has decided to finally make an appearance and we are probably due a handful of sunny weekend until October, I find myself at odds with being rather time poor with the opportunities to go out and actually ride. With work Mon-Fri and familial responsibilities during most the remaining time and the weather only being decent for half of the summer weekends (if I am being optimistic) I found myself going out and riding probably a dozen times last year.
Even with those summer weekends I both want to and feel obliged to be spending those fleeting good days doing stuff outdoors with my young daughter. I would also get it in the neck if I disappeared most Sundays.
Is it just me or do any of you experience this? I thought I found a hack where I could get out by 6am on Sunday morning and be back home by mid morning. I don't commute by bike but would love to do more recreational riding. Do other posters here go about it any other way? ie book up a few certain events on the Calendar ahead of time (ie trackdays, short tours etc) to get their biking fix or is it something to just suck up for the meanwhile, or do you just go off and do things without the guilt.
Apologies for the slightly navel gazing post!
I get out on weeknights in the summer. Kids in bed by 19:00, I grab the bike and plot a 50 mile route in through some good roads around the local towns. Maybe stop in a pub for a drink or anywhere I see bikes, they usually say hi. Adjust route as necessary depending on how long I want to be out.
Riding alone felt silly to me at first, since I got in to riding bikes with others who no longer do, but I quite enjoy it and always feel like it was worthwhile afterwards.
Also, any trips where you wouldn't otherwise take the kids, use the bike. If your bike isn't too shiny, ride in the rain also.
Riding alone felt silly to me at first, since I got in to riding bikes with others who no longer do, but I quite enjoy it and always feel like it was worthwhile afterwards.
Also, any trips where you wouldn't otherwise take the kids, use the bike. If your bike isn't too shiny, ride in the rain also.
I’m finding the same really. My son is 4 now and I struggle to find time for myself without feeling guilty. It doesn’t help when there is work to do in the house and garden as well as paying work.
I suppose there are priorities and my biking time just isn’t one of them right now.
This will change as he gets older and wants to spend more time with his friends so I’m willing to take the hit for a few years that I know are irreplaceable.
Or just sacrifice sleep for time in the garage.
I suppose there are priorities and my biking time just isn’t one of them right now.
This will change as he gets older and wants to spend more time with his friends so I’m willing to take the hit for a few years that I know are irreplaceable.
Or just sacrifice sleep for time in the garage.
I always find that if you go for a ride simply because haven't for a while it's hard to get into it. It feels artificial, a bit 'am I having fun yet?'
One idea is to find somewhere you want to go anyway and go on the bike, even if it doesn't involve classic biking roads or conditions.
Also, don't just head out on a 200 mile round trip for your first trip for weeks. You'll feel a lot more at home on the bike if you've ridden the day before even if it's just a few minutes to ensure it's working and get the tank filled.
One idea is to find somewhere you want to go anyway and go on the bike, even if it doesn't involve classic biking roads or conditions.
Also, don't just head out on a 200 mile round trip for your first trip for weeks. You'll feel a lot more at home on the bike if you've ridden the day before even if it's just a few minutes to ensure it's working and get the tank filled.
Pebbles167 said:
I get out on weeknights in the summer. Kids in bed by 19:00, I grab the bike and plot a 50 mile route in through some good roads around the local towns. Maybe stop in a pub for a drink or anywhere I see bikes, they usually say hi. Adjust route as necessary depending on how long I want to be out.
Riding alone felt silly to me at first, since I got in to riding bikes with others who no longer do, but I quite enjoy it and always feel like it was worthwhile afterwards.
Also, any trips where you wouldn't otherwise take the kids, use the bike. If your bike isn't too shiny, ride in the rain also.
I like the idea of weekday evening rides when I WFH and the days get longer, now I don't live in central London but in Surrey! Always good to have a place to ride to as opposed to just aimlessly riding on the usual roads.Riding alone felt silly to me at first, since I got in to riding bikes with others who no longer do, but I quite enjoy it and always feel like it was worthwhile afterwards.
Also, any trips where you wouldn't otherwise take the kids, use the bike. If your bike isn't too shiny, ride in the rain also.
Also funnily enough, we had a family holiday to Center Parcs and I elected to take the bike and meet them there. Would have been great if it didn't pish it down the entire way ! Sod's Law.
Speed addicted said:
I’m finding the same really. My son is 4 now and I struggle to find time for myself without feeling guilty. It doesn’t help when there is work to do in the house and garden as well as paying work.
I suppose there are priorities and my biking time just isn’t one of them right now.
This will change as he gets older and wants to spend more time with his friends so I’m willing to take the hit for a few years that I know are irreplaceable.
Or just sacrifice sleep for time in the garage.
Yep, I would definitely regret the moments not spent with my daughter when she's young but she will probably not want to know me in a few years so I should get that time back to ride whenever! Also, house and Garden work is never ending... I concur.I suppose there are priorities and my biking time just isn’t one of them right now.
This will change as he gets older and wants to spend more time with his friends so I’m willing to take the hit for a few years that I know are irreplaceable.
Or just sacrifice sleep for time in the garage.
In life we must choose our regrets
Austin Prefect said:
I always find that if you go for a ride simply because haven't for a while it's hard to get into it. It feels artificial, a bit 'am I having fun yet?'
One idea is to find somewhere you want to go anyway and go on the bike, even if it doesn't involve classic biking roads or conditions.
Also, don't just head out on a 200 mile round trip for your first trip for weeks. You'll feel a lot more at home on the bike if you've ridden the day before even if it's just a few minutes to ensure it's working and get the tank filled.
Solid point. Sometimes I go out just for the sake of it for those stolen moments and I have those exact thoughts ... good to have a destination in mind.One idea is to find somewhere you want to go anyway and go on the bike, even if it doesn't involve classic biking roads or conditions.
Also, don't just head out on a 200 mile round trip for your first trip for weeks. You'll feel a lot more at home on the bike if you've ridden the day before even if it's just a few minutes to ensure it's working and get the tank filled.
I bought my bike pre-kids are now I’ve got the pleasure of a 3 and 5 year old. I did ride it to work in the good weather but school and nursery runs put pay to that! I now do just a few hundred miles a year. Every time I toy with the idea of getting rid of it, I take it out for a spin and quickly change your mind. You just need to find an hour to go for a (safe) blast and hopefully that works for you. Otherwise, if you can afford it, SORN the bike for a while and see whether you miss it. I’m sure you will but it’s a good test without selling up.
RizzoTheRat said:
Can you use it on the commute? Not every day but if the weathers nice taking the bike to work on a Friday and then leaving a bit early and taking the long way home is a nice start to the weekend.
Tried that. Hated it. Just felt like I was 'operating' the bike and not 'riding' it with the commute being from just outside M25 through Croydon to central London, so not much opportunity to take the long way home unless I go through Mitcham ! haha. This is coming from someone who use to commute on a Fireblade 20 odd years back.Maybe I'm just getting old but sitting on one train and reading a book (taking no longer time than riding incl kitting up and parking etc). Always jealous of people with more scenic commutes!
ujio said:
Tried that. Hated it. Just felt like I was 'operating' the bike and not 'riding' it with the commute being from just outside M25 through Croydon to central London, so not much opportunity to take the long way home unless I go through Mitcham ! haha. This is coming from someone who use to commute on a Fireblade 20 odd years back.
Maybe I'm just getting old but sitting on one train and reading a book (taking no longer time than riding incl kitting up and parking etc). Always jealous of people with more scenic commutes!
Yeah, not much opportunity to make that commute fun. I was working in Warminster at the time so a nice run home across Salisbury plain and the Hampshire countryside. Maybe I'm just getting old but sitting on one train and reading a book (taking no longer time than riding incl kitting up and parking etc). Always jealous of people with more scenic commutes!
I've since moved house, job and country and have a 3km cycle to work, but haven't used the motorbike at all for he past couple of years, partly due to a back injury but partly due to similar lack of inspiration so need to get it back on the road this year and find some good excuses to use it.
Common problem I think, so you are not alone. I just accept that it is one of many hobbies/obligations and I will fit it in when I can. My kids are slightly older now so they aren't demanding of my attention (in fact they would rather not have it), but I like cycling and golf etc all of which work better in the sunshine. You shouldn't beat yourself up about it. Motorbikes to many of us are just toys really so relax. No one is keeping count except you.
I used to commute on the bike as often as I could, as it just made the working day so much better. Now I don't really commute anymore.
Luckily my kids are now well into their teens and don't want to hang out with me anymore, as I'm not cool enough.
More riding time. But yes, I understand the guilt. Spend time with them, you'll miss it when they're older.
Another vote for off-road though from the other thread. I can get out for a few hours of trails in the morning and back before lunch. For me it's the same as MTBing, it's my exercise time, same as going to the gym. It's just way more fun.
I also plan one trip away every year, and my wife does the same with her friends. That's a great chance to get a lot of good, hopefully sunny, miles in.
Luckily my kids are now well into their teens and don't want to hang out with me anymore, as I'm not cool enough.
More riding time. But yes, I understand the guilt. Spend time with them, you'll miss it when they're older.Another vote for off-road though from the other thread. I can get out for a few hours of trails in the morning and back before lunch. For me it's the same as MTBing, it's my exercise time, same as going to the gym. It's just way more fun.
I also plan one trip away every year, and my wife does the same with her friends. That's a great chance to get a lot of good, hopefully sunny, miles in.
Part of the reason for the Old Gits was to allow 1 week a year when family men could be completely involved in there passion for biking on great roads. I can definitely recommend trading with the Mrs where you manage home life for a week on your own while she does something she wants to, in return for you getting a week biking.
I've just bought a bike for the roads, having previously gone track only as I didn;t have the time to ride. Classic cars was a more family friendly activity! took a days holiday to ride on track, so its no different to being at work from a family perspective.
Then as the kids got older, they rode MX. So I joined in with them. Now its riding around Kart tracks a few times a month, and my oldest came to Portimao with me last time. I'm lucky they share my passion, and now theyre older, it gets easier to do something more selfish.
Then as the kids got older, they rode MX. So I joined in with them. Now its riding around Kart tracks a few times a month, and my oldest came to Portimao with me last time. I'm lucky they share my passion, and now theyre older, it gets easier to do something more selfish.
I make sure everything I need, bike/riding gear/helmet/earplugs etc are all ready so I can be ready to go in 10 mins flat should the opportunity arise.
1-2 hours is enough to get my fix, sometimes after work I'll go out for just 30-40 mins. Which goes back to having everything ready so it's not too much faff to go out.
I'll do longer rides every 3 weeks or so. Tomorrow I'll be playing golf, with the wife meeting us afterwards for drinks. So I know that on Sunday I'll be out for an hour or 2 max.
Point is, you need to make it as easy as possible to get out when you have a small window. Not every ride has to be hours on end ! Sometimes a quick hour will sort your head out and help you justify keeping the bike.
1-2 hours is enough to get my fix, sometimes after work I'll go out for just 30-40 mins. Which goes back to having everything ready so it's not too much faff to go out.
I'll do longer rides every 3 weeks or so. Tomorrow I'll be playing golf, with the wife meeting us afterwards for drinks. So I know that on Sunday I'll be out for an hour or 2 max.
Point is, you need to make it as easy as possible to get out when you have a small window. Not every ride has to be hours on end ! Sometimes a quick hour will sort your head out and help you justify keeping the bike.
Edited by WarnieV6GT on Friday 14th March 14:59
My bike will be 20 years old this year, kids are 11 and 15......I got the bike when it was new. It currently has a shade over 10k miles on the clock, I suspect 6k of those were pre kids!! I should sell it but can't bring myself to do it. If you can afford to keep it and have somewhere dry to store it just take the opportunity when you can - think I got out twice last year and one of those was for the MOT 
(but I did come home the long way once it had a new ticket 
)
(but I did come home the long way once it had a new ticket )I started biking again in 2015 when my eldest was 2. It was quite a lot harder to get out then but I always managed at least once a week even if it was just for an hour. I'm quite lucky in that I have good roads within 15 minutes of my house.
Now the dynamic has changed quite a lot with the eldest being 11 and youngest 8. My 11 y/o comes on the back quite a lot so the frustrating part is if I really fancy a spirited ride and he wants to come along I feel like I've not quite had my fix as obvously the pace is much slower with him on. However, it's a fantastic hobby we can share together so swings and roudabouts.
My wife is doing her CBT next month so if she gets into it in the next few years with a bit of experience under her belt she can take one of them and me the other. Travelling as a family to the coast for the day on 2 bikes is a bit of a dream of mine and as they grow older they will hopefully get their own and we can all go out.
Now the dynamic has changed quite a lot with the eldest being 11 and youngest 8. My 11 y/o comes on the back quite a lot so the frustrating part is if I really fancy a spirited ride and he wants to come along I feel like I've not quite had my fix as obvously the pace is much slower with him on. However, it's a fantastic hobby we can share together so swings and roudabouts.
My wife is doing her CBT next month so if she gets into it in the next few years with a bit of experience under her belt she can take one of them and me the other. Travelling as a family to the coast for the day on 2 bikes is a bit of a dream of mine and as they grow older they will hopefully get their own and we can all go out.
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