Not Enjoying Riding Anymore
Discussion
I'm not one for posting as a rule, more of a lurker around these parts, but sometimes it is therapeutic to share issues with likeminded people.
I have had back issues for the last four months, which meant I couldn't walk without a stick, never mind even think about swinging a leg over the bike. However, after treatment, things are a lot better, I can walk unaided, drive and get back on the bike.
Yesterday I had the day to myself, I had planned a ride from Lincoln to the Peak District and was really looking forward to it. However after setting off and only covering a few miles I felt like I wasn't enjoying it as much as I anticipated. I pressed on for a bit, thinking I'll get into it, but I actually found myself disliking riding, so I turned round and headed for home. By the time I put the bike back in the garage I felt like I had fallen out with biking.
I have had periods before over the years, where I couldn't be bothered with the bike, but I have never felt like this before.
I'm not going to rush into selling it, it can stay in the garage for a while, but I just wondered if anyone else has experienced such an extreme reaction to something that they used to enjoy.
I have had back issues for the last four months, which meant I couldn't walk without a stick, never mind even think about swinging a leg over the bike. However, after treatment, things are a lot better, I can walk unaided, drive and get back on the bike.
Yesterday I had the day to myself, I had planned a ride from Lincoln to the Peak District and was really looking forward to it. However after setting off and only covering a few miles I felt like I wasn't enjoying it as much as I anticipated. I pressed on for a bit, thinking I'll get into it, but I actually found myself disliking riding, so I turned round and headed for home. By the time I put the bike back in the garage I felt like I had fallen out with biking.
I have had periods before over the years, where I couldn't be bothered with the bike, but I have never felt like this before.
I'm not going to rush into selling it, it can stay in the garage for a while, but I just wondered if anyone else has experienced such an extreme reaction to something that they used to enjoy.
I’ve been obsessed with motorcycles since I was a child and still love racing (especially BSB and Pure Road Racing).
I did the usual thing at 16 (back in 1989) of getting a Kawasaki AR50 and progressing from there, whilst having a break from motorcycling until the youngest was 10.
In 2022, I rode a lot and then in the autumn put the bike away as usual. A few weeks later, I felt that I didn’t want to ride anymore. To the OP, my decision wasn’t because of the enjoyment factor but was down to safety considerations.
I did the usual thing at 16 (back in 1989) of getting a Kawasaki AR50 and progressing from there, whilst having a break from motorcycling until the youngest was 10.
In 2022, I rode a lot and then in the autumn put the bike away as usual. A few weeks later, I felt that I didn’t want to ride anymore. To the OP, my decision wasn’t because of the enjoyment factor but was down to safety considerations.
I have had this. You ll feel it again, just don t force it. I find having a purpose to ride is half the battle, I don t often ride just for the sake of it, early Sunday morning runs for a coffee/breakfast with one or two friends does it for me and the ensuing conversations when you get there is a great outlet. Riding alone for the sake of riding sometimes feels a bit empty.
I too had back troubles with a ruptured disc in my back and couldn t ride for 3 years and struggled to drive even. Thankfully it resolved but it was a horrible time. I ended up turning to RC cars, an old hobby which I got back into in a big way for those 3 years including learning to airbrush which is almost a hobby in itself. It kept me sane at a very low time. As they say, a change is as good as a rest.
I too had back troubles with a ruptured disc in my back and couldn t ride for 3 years and struggled to drive even. Thankfully it resolved but it was a horrible time. I ended up turning to RC cars, an old hobby which I got back into in a big way for those 3 years including learning to airbrush which is almost a hobby in itself. It kept me sane at a very low time. As they say, a change is as good as a rest.
Edited by NITO on Wednesday 25th February 06:02
I sold mine a couple of years ago. A combination of factors. Not much time to ride for pleasure, the faff of suiting and booting for the commute and the penalty for failure with the kids to consider.
I haven't had the desire to get another bike and I if I was betting I'd say that's me done.
The only time I get pangs for riding now is when a mate posts an update on his RTW trip, he's currently in Baja California and
a Triumph in the Mexican sun looks preferable to work in the UK.
I haven't had the desire to get another bike and I if I was betting I'd say that's me done.
The only time I get pangs for riding now is when a mate posts an update on his RTW trip, he's currently in Baja California and
a Triumph in the Mexican sun looks preferable to work in the UK.
My tracer 9 GT went to Superbike on monday, 3145 miles on a 22 plate bike. Loved the bike, took a while to get the right one and it was but not used it since a tour of Ireland last year (which accounts for prob 1500 of those miles!), I even missed the first MOT being required in June and got it done last week!
I enjoyed the social aspect of group riding but was always at the back trying to keep up, also wasn't as happy with some of the overtakes/risks. Also found I just wasn't going out on my own anymore so its just an expensive lump of metal sat in garage. Not much of a twinge when it left which makes me feel like it was right decision.
I enjoyed the social aspect of group riding but was always at the back trying to keep up, also wasn't as happy with some of the overtakes/risks. Also found I just wasn't going out on my own anymore so its just an expensive lump of metal sat in garage. Not much of a twinge when it left which makes me feel like it was right decision.
I go in and out of it . Had bikes for more than 40 years, I have learnt that no bike is not good for me .
Always keep a bike , not new mine is now 9 years old.
It's available if I get the urge .
I don't plan a journey, but will go out and see where I get to , it may be 20 mins or 2 hours.
I don't do group rides, I think it's too risky now .
I have not done a European tour for a few years .
I ride about. 2000 miles a year going nowhere.
It is important for me mentally to have a bike to use , even when I don't use it .
I think for me no bike , that will come someday will be a marker of old age and I am trying to avoid that for as long as I can.
Edited to add . Sometimes it doesn't work for me , ear plugs pop out , trousers feel wrong, sun low in sky etc . It's little things that makes all the difference or makes it wrong. So go home and try another day.
Always keep a bike , not new mine is now 9 years old.
It's available if I get the urge .
I don't plan a journey, but will go out and see where I get to , it may be 20 mins or 2 hours.
I don't do group rides, I think it's too risky now .
I have not done a European tour for a few years .
I ride about. 2000 miles a year going nowhere.
It is important for me mentally to have a bike to use , even when I don't use it .
I think for me no bike , that will come someday will be a marker of old age and I am trying to avoid that for as long as I can.
Edited to add . Sometimes it doesn't work for me , ear plugs pop out , trousers feel wrong, sun low in sky etc . It's little things that makes all the difference or makes it wrong. So go home and try another day.
Edited by cliffords on Wednesday 25th February 08:16
Edited by cliffords on Wednesday 25th February 16:20
TrippleX said:
I'm not going to rush into selling it, it can stay in the garage for a while, but I just wondered if anyone else has experienced such an extreme reaction to something that they used to enjoy.
Yes, I had the extreme reaction back in 1998 when I nearly lost it on my 1200cc Bandit.Rode it straight home, on Autotrader same day, sold.
But I kept going with scooters as daily transport, to this day. ADV350 currently.
I've had it before where a ride is just unenjoyable, for hours. I'm uncomfortable because it's too hot or wet, there's too much traffic and can't even get around people, you spent hours for only 2 or 3 good sections of road that were only half a mile of goodness.
If you have a few of these in a row it makes you think why bother. It's the long trips where I go up north and have nice roads all myself that make up for it.
If you have a few of these in a row it makes you think why bother. It's the long trips where I go up north and have nice roads all myself that make up for it.
Could it just be your state of mind, not particularly the bike or riding it?
I was excited last night thinking about riding to work, got my gear out ready, thinking its going to be a nice dry day, first real ride in months, but got up this morning and just wasn't feeling it, like it was just too rushed.
So drove to work in my camper, currently looking out of the window of my workshop at brilliant sunshine and dry tarmac.
A little bit of regret that I didn't bring the bike, but maybe there was a reason I didn't?
Just having it in my garage can be enough some days, I can go in and just sit and look at it, make plans for what I might change etc.
I figure that selling it and putting a couple of grand in the bank would be far worse that not physically having it.
The excited feeling will come back, and the following ride will be everything I wish it to be, and when I get home and park it in the garage, I'll stand there for a minute and listen to the metallic ticks as it cools down and feel happy.
Hope that makes sense OP.
I was excited last night thinking about riding to work, got my gear out ready, thinking its going to be a nice dry day, first real ride in months, but got up this morning and just wasn't feeling it, like it was just too rushed.
So drove to work in my camper, currently looking out of the window of my workshop at brilliant sunshine and dry tarmac.
A little bit of regret that I didn't bring the bike, but maybe there was a reason I didn't?
Just having it in my garage can be enough some days, I can go in and just sit and look at it, make plans for what I might change etc.
I figure that selling it and putting a couple of grand in the bank would be far worse that not physically having it.
The excited feeling will come back, and the following ride will be everything I wish it to be, and when I get home and park it in the garage, I'll stand there for a minute and listen to the metallic ticks as it cools down and feel happy.
Hope that makes sense OP.
For someone who’s had a bike consistently for 50 years it’s freeing to admit it don’t like riding.
There is however a caveat to that…it don’t like riding alone, never have.
Out with my wife pillion, a couple of mates or a group ride I can’t think of anything better. But like OP I’ve gone out myself and turned back after a few miles.
I think possibly the fact I’ve mostly had sports bikes has contributed to that. Ironically I think I could enjoy solo on my GS where I can just sit up and plod along enjoying the scenery.
I've had confirmed Crohn's since the end of the year 2000, I had a operation, a nearly not here operation.
They fitted a stoma (gone now)
At the time I had a st1100, when I was well enough (I went from 14 stone to less than 10) I found it very therapeutic, but I started slowly, it was a big lump and because of the stoma the risk of a hernia was quite real.
Short trips to somewhere you want to go, take a friend on another bike?
If it's not fun wait a bit until you're more healed, give your self time
They fitted a stoma (gone now)
At the time I had a st1100, when I was well enough (I went from 14 stone to less than 10) I found it very therapeutic, but I started slowly, it was a big lump and because of the stoma the risk of a hernia was quite real.
Short trips to somewhere you want to go, take a friend on another bike?
If it's not fun wait a bit until you're more healed, give your self time
Sometimes it comes and goes for me, I'm riding around quite stiff for a reason or another, wondering if I'm really having fun or just going out because that's what bikers are supposed to be doing.
Other times I just get the feeling that I'm really happy to be on the bike and not in the car, which can happen at anytime (last time was on the motorway in the rain somehow!).
Don't force it, give it some time and a few rides to see if you just keep feeling that way...
Other times I just get the feeling that I'm really happy to be on the bike and not in the car, which can happen at anytime (last time was on the motorway in the rain somehow!).
Don't force it, give it some time and a few rides to see if you just keep feeling that way...
I've certainly had these spells before, been obsessed with bikes since I was a kid rode every day for years in all weather, but now riding on the road just doesn't seem worth the hassle at times.
Like a lot of people just going out feels pointless and frustrating these days, sometimes the clothing doesn't fit or it feels like there's a lot of traffic and your just in a queue. Commuting to work and a ride home the long way is mainly my road miles but only decent weather for me now.
Last year I had a close call at a crossroads and came home and decided I was done. The thought of my family dealing with the aftermath shook me, I'll probably ride again but not in a rush it'll only be when it feels 'right'.
Sometimes when you get that feeling your not enjoying it I think it's a sign to turn around and go home a bit like the burnt toast theory.
I still enjoy the odd trackday and I've promised myself I'll do more than one or two this year, I think a change is always good too and I often find myself looking at trials, Mx, enduro and think about giving one of them ago and focusing more on that than the roads.
Like a lot of people just going out feels pointless and frustrating these days, sometimes the clothing doesn't fit or it feels like there's a lot of traffic and your just in a queue. Commuting to work and a ride home the long way is mainly my road miles but only decent weather for me now.
Last year I had a close call at a crossroads and came home and decided I was done. The thought of my family dealing with the aftermath shook me, I'll probably ride again but not in a rush it'll only be when it feels 'right'.
Sometimes when you get that feeling your not enjoying it I think it's a sign to turn around and go home a bit like the burnt toast theory.
I still enjoy the odd trackday and I've promised myself I'll do more than one or two this year, I think a change is always good too and I often find myself looking at trials, Mx, enduro and think about giving one of them ago and focusing more on that than the roads.
I started off riding with friends back when we all had 50s. I was then the only one to get a 125 and shortly after a full licence.
For about the next 10 years I only really used bikes for commuting locally - not more than a few thousand and sometimes just a few hundred per year.
Then I came into some money, got a different bike and started on the social side - rallys, bike nights etc.
Last few years I got sick of the aforementioned social side. I don't really ride with anyone anymore and can't abide group rides due to the ego involved or the utterly soul destroyingly boring "briefs" and incessant fuel/cigarette stops.
I don't REALLY commute anymore (office is 3 miles away and I have to go in once a week) so it's all just me on my own - yet I now do about 12k a year.
Kurviger was an excellent choice for this. You don't need a destination as such, just put in a rough mileage/direction and it'll create a route for you. I just simply enjoy going out on the bike and exploring and generally now actively avoid any usual biking place or at least socialising when there!
For about the next 10 years I only really used bikes for commuting locally - not more than a few thousand and sometimes just a few hundred per year.
Then I came into some money, got a different bike and started on the social side - rallys, bike nights etc.
Last few years I got sick of the aforementioned social side. I don't really ride with anyone anymore and can't abide group rides due to the ego involved or the utterly soul destroyingly boring "briefs" and incessant fuel/cigarette stops.
I don't REALLY commute anymore (office is 3 miles away and I have to go in once a week) so it's all just me on my own - yet I now do about 12k a year.
Kurviger was an excellent choice for this. You don't need a destination as such, just put in a rough mileage/direction and it'll create a route for you. I just simply enjoy going out on the bike and exploring and generally now actively avoid any usual biking place or at least socialising when there!
If I was just restricted to riding a modern bike on our roads, I think I would have given up a long time ago.
Like another poster on here, I've ridden bikes since 1989, also on an AR50 at first. I've had bikes for most of my adult life, but in the last ten years or so, found little pleasure riding on our congested and restricted roads.
Off road is still really enjoyable and has become more of a passion. Also restoring / maintaining bikes of my youth, like LCs, RGVs, has added to the fun factor and satisfaction.
Yes putting on all the clobber is more of a drag now, but the sound of a two stroke twin warming up still does it for me. Bonus, you can still thrash them and not do stupid speeds either. The owners / forum scene for these also helps.
Like another poster on here, I've ridden bikes since 1989, also on an AR50 at first. I've had bikes for most of my adult life, but in the last ten years or so, found little pleasure riding on our congested and restricted roads.
Off road is still really enjoyable and has become more of a passion. Also restoring / maintaining bikes of my youth, like LCs, RGVs, has added to the fun factor and satisfaction.
Yes putting on all the clobber is more of a drag now, but the sound of a two stroke twin warming up still does it for me. Bonus, you can still thrash them and not do stupid speeds either. The owners / forum scene for these also helps.
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