Lost: Riding mojo. If found, please call...

[Owlie]

I've had no motivation to ride for the better part of a month. I persuaded myself a few weeks ago to go out for a 3-mile ride, and then the ride with my friend. Doesn't help, I know, that it's been so hot lately. Now that the weather's better, I still don't have any real motivation to ride.

I think it's a combination of burnout, my total lack of heat tolerance, and boredom. I rode a whole lot that week of July 4th in very hot weather--I put about 100 miles (a lot for me) on the bike that week and haven't really brought myself to touch it (much) since. I'm also bored with my normal loop, apart from that one hill. I feel like trying to get myself up that hill was the only reason I rode.

Anyone got tips for getting yourself back on the bike?

[emily_in_nc]

Anyone got tips for getting yourself back on the bike?

Go somewhere different to ride. It's nice to ride right out your door, and always my preference, but sometimes ya just gotta pile the bike into the car and get yourself into a different place. A rail-trail, a nearby town, just somewhere where you don't know every crack and dip in the road. Always helps me when my motivation is flagging.

Ride with a partner, if you usually ride solo. Just having someone to chat with on rides makes the miles fly by and the hills seem easier. And if someone else is counting on you to ride on a specific day, you're less likely to bail. If there's a bike club in your area, try a club ride.

Ride with a purpose. Instead of just going out and riding a loop to get in a certain amount of miles or minutes, ride to the store. To the ice-cream shop. To a park. To the farmer's market. Rides with a purpose force you to actually get to a certain point, so you'd feel bad turning around without reaching your destination.

Or...just give yourself permission to take a break from riding. Go for a walk, hike or run. Rent a kayak and go for a paddle. Take a yoga or Pilates class. Go to the gym and lift weights. Sometimes you just need time away from the bike to come back to it with new-found motivation and enthusiasm.

Good luck!

[WindingRoad]

Owlie,

Werd.

No suggestions, but I can feel your pain right now, my block is with my running though. It's frustrating.

Winding

[Zen]

It has been unusually hot this year.
Loss of mo has happened to a lot of us.
Don't worry about it.
It will be back.

[colorisnt]

You'll get it back. I haven't ridden in about three weeks thanks to an old friend being in town and the fact that I have had paralyzing (yes, literally on the left side of my body) migraines. I did ride while on vacation once (15 miles a day), but eh... I had no desire to push myself for fear I would hurt myself. Then, I rode today and had a BLAST. I just got my mo back. Even put new tires on my commuter haha!

[shootingstar]

Emily's suggestion to ride for a purpose..to do something/get something other than just cycling is a good way to ease back without much pressure on yourself. After all, the primary focus to get the food from the store, not to do the cycling.

Be fair to yourself. Even the best of us, go through times during the year, where one lost some mojo for awhile. Nice to do other hobby/interest/sport that has nothing to do with cycling during that time.

[malkin]

I'm there.

Just waiting for the weather to cool down and for the pollen to go away, and trying not to be too stupid and self-destructive in the mean time.

Seasons change.

[roadie gal]

I believe your mojo may have run off with mine. I got a funny postcard from Hawaii yesterday with mine sitting and drinking a mai tai at the beach. Was that yours sitting next to her?

[yellowrose93]

I thought I was the only one! It's been sooooo hot and humid. Add to that the fact I am working on my MA in teaching . . . well I've just had a lot of homework and housework and hate the thought of getting up early to ride. And it's too hot later. Sigh. My dh keeps asking when I am going to ride again. I better get out there before the kids go back to school. Then my mornings will be full getting them ready. I can't wait for cooler weather!

[NbyNW]

Me too! I've been getting acclimated to a new city and haven't found a route that I like yet. And it doesn't feel very bike-friendly here.

Lately I feel safest doing organized rides and club rides. I have to work up to feeling safe riding by myself in traffic, so haven't been on the bike for over a month now.

[Aggie_Ama]

This summer has been very humid which has been miserable, I am used to heat but when it brings humidity it is unbearable. The good news is I have been riding since 2004 and every summer (except 2006 it was very cool here) I lose my love of riding. It is hard to have to get riding by 7:00 if you want to do a long ride. Just try short rides, easier pace, do you have bike paths that you can ride at a mellow pace? And if you can't handle the heat don't feel guilty. It is hard especially if you are from a climate having a worse summer than usual. In Texas it gets hot by April so we get to eventually acclimate.

[chicagogal]

I think it is the time of year. We have all been getting in A LOT of miles, and have been for many months. And while fun, most of the time, it hasn't always been easy. Especially with the road racing schedule on top of training, group rides, etc. Every weekend for months I have been driving to a race here or there, staying in hotels, etc. If I'm not racing, I am on the shop ride, a clinic, training - you name it. Now the road season is winding down and it is bitter sweet. It has been a lot of fun, but it has also been exhausting physically and mentally. I know that I really need a change of pace - but at the same time, I am NOT looking forward to the deep freeze of winter, logging grueling training hours on a trainer.

Instead, after crit season ends, I am looking forward to some time trials, and then once that is all said and done, I will be free of the racing calendar altogether and thereby free to get in some good endurance miles! Otherwise the repetition of the same routine would drive me bats.

[Owlie]

I believe your mojo may have run off with mine. I got a funny postcard from Hawaii yesterday with mine sitting and drinking a mai tai at the beach. Was that yours sitting next to her?

Maybe. I'll let you know if I get mail from Hawaii.

I managed to get myself to cook something today (Indian-style meatballs, yum!), so I'm taking this as a good sign. I also went on a long walk this morning and discovered a route to my favorite pizza place...as well as a possible ride route. More good signs...

[sundial]

I think it's a combination of burnout, my total lack of heat tolerance, and boredom.

That certainly sounds like something many of us can relate to this summer. With the high heat/humidity combination it just saps your energy and thought of riding on the trainer is repulsive. Perhaps it is worth listening to what your body is telling you. If it's not ready to get back into the game, forcing it won't help matters. You'll know when you are ready to ride.

[buffybike]

When I get bored with riding mucho miles on my road bike, I hit the trails instead. It's also cooler in the woods than it is on the road. And it's so much fun that I'm reminded why I love cycling to begin with! Just yesterday, I hit some sand and went flying off the bike landing on my shoulder. And then I just started laughing! (Thank God no one was around.) Mountain iking just helps me take my riding less seriously.

I also joined up with a group last Sunday to try a new (road) route, even though it took me 35 minutes to drive to the location. The new scenery (and camraderie) made the ride much more enjoyable. Mix it up!!