I need motivation

[JLZimrmn]

I just started cycling back in July and I decided I LOVE it!!! I really want to get fast but I know my weight is holding me back. I think if I have an event to look forward to, That will give me motivation to train and get better.

My question is: how do I find an event, such as a century, to look forward to? I am looking for sometime in the summer or fall of next year of course. Is there a webiste that keeps up with that?

Jennifer

[rivergrl]

I need motivation too! Since the time changed I've not wanted to go ride since it's dark. So I really only ride on Saturday. I'm having a hard time motivating myself to do anything excerise wise lately and I feel the difference mentally and physically. I work all the time and it's starting to take its toll.

[rivergrl]

I just noticed you're in Little Rock. Me too. The new River Trail is great, I need to get out and enjoy it more.

[rivergrl]

I know that www.chainwheel.com has some links on their site for orgainized rides and state events. If group rides are your thing then maybe look on there for some info about what ride may be coming up in the summer.

[JLZimrmn]

Thanks for the quick replys! I just did the rivertrail ride today since it is so nice out. I will check out chainwheels website.

Jennifer

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

HI gals, welcome!
Sounds like you are as hooked as the rest of us!

Keep it fun, keep your goals do-able. Just keep riding and it will all begin to fall into place little by little.

[fatbottomedgurl]

So you two girls ought to meet and ride together: nothing like a commitmment to meet to get you out and ride! Maybe buy some lights and go evening riding...

[Kedwards]

Local cycling clubs are great sources for finding big events, as well as regular group rides. More generally, you can also try:

www.bikereg.com which has races, as well as a few "rides."

www.active.com has a searchable list of events, and lists a good number of bike rides/charity events/centuries

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome to you both. Look into your local bike clubs. They will have scheduled rides and will list upcoming events. Maybe you too could meet up and ride together.

[suzieqtwa]

I feel the same way since the time change. I was riding about 3 times a week ,and long rides on the weekend ,but we have had so much rain here in Portland ,and its getting cold . I've been riding my husbands bike, since my got stolen ,and its just not the same. I'm not at all excited about my new road bike ,which did come in today ,but I put it on lay away cause I cant quite afford it with Christmas coming up. (I just have the blas)

[uforgot]

I got tired of the same old routes around here, so I went on the internet and Amazon and found road and mountain rides around the state and surrounding states. Amazon has all kinds of books on cycling rides, both road and mountain, and you can find all kinds of links to cycling in every state. You'd be amazed at the amount of rides in the US. I'm in Missouri and we have tons and tons of trails and bike paths. I'm keeping a notebook divided by state/town of trail maps/road rides and I have a whole bunch to which I'm going to travel. I put a Thule hitch rack on the back of my car, got a new small digital camera that slips into my pocket, and am keeping a picture log of the different trails/areas. I stay in KOAs, but I also travel up to 200 miles for day trips. My next trip? THE BIG DAM BRIDGE! Down by you guys in Arkansas! I can't wait. I'm heading down the NEXT free weekend. I figure that if I head south, I can ride all winter. The traveling and different areas absolutely keep me motivated to keep riding during the week and stay in shape.

[JLZimrmn]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions!

You should definitely come to see the bridge. Just watch out for the people and the dog pooh. Yuck!

Jennifer

[Geonz]

We have www.mikebentley.com - he keeps a list of Illinois rides and midwest rides. Cruise around and see if you can find somebody with a list in your area! I love being able to see everything that's going on (though I tend to forget to look into Indiana sometimes).

[rivergrl]

You'll love the bridge! It's really pretty by the river with all the trees turning right now. My biggest thing about the bridge is the kids that people just turn loose and don't watch over. They assume no one else is around apparently. I've had a few close calls with the runaway kiddies and the people who have the headphones up so loud that the can't hear the "on the left" shout from behind.

I'm just hoping the weather is good for riding this weekend and for whenever you visitor's come to take it in.

I've noticed quite a few Jennifer's on this thread. Better ad one more, I'm one too. Am I wrong to assume that most of us Jennifer's are babies from the early 70's?

[PscyclePath]

I just started cycling back in July and I decided I LOVE it!!! I really want to get fast but I know my weight is holding me back. I think if I have an event to look forward to, That will give me motivation to train and get better.

My question is: how do I find an event, such as a century, to look forward to? I am looking for sometime in the summer or fall of next year of course. Is there a webiste that keeps up with that?

Jennifer:

There are a couple of cycling groups that are active here in LR... The Arkansas Bicycling Club (ABC) is typically road and recreational riders of just about all skill levels, and then there's CARP (Central Arkansas Recreational Pedalers), a mountain biking group. The ABC keeps a pretty active ride schedule with something going on in the area just about every weekend, as well as a couple of standard rides each week. For example at 1:00 p.m. every Sunday afternoon, we meet down past the I-430 bridge at the foot of River Mountain Road for a "leaderless" ride over to Cook's Landing and back, often with a detour over to Community Bakery for a mid-ride snack. If you're a night owl, a small group of us meet over by the Submarine in NLR for a night ride up the NLR side of the trail to Cook's Landing or the BDB, and back. We have some rides that are hammerfests, with no quarter given or expected, and we also have more social, "no drop" rides for newer or slower riders. Come on out and ride, since going out with a group not only gives you a little motivation and maybe a little peer pressure, but it helps you learn to ride stronger and faster at the same time. Check the ride schedule at http://www.arkansasbicyclingclub.com, (it's currently a month behind, but Judy is still working on the new schedule), or simply come on out to the trail head down on River Mountain Road this Sunday afternoon, 1:00 p.m., and give it a try. New riders are always welcome!

Tom Ezell
Arkansas Bicycling Club