Sunny but not biking

[MightyMitre]

Does anyone else get mid season drop in enthusiasm?

I know we're not exactly mid season yet, but the initial 'Yey, it's summer' excitement has worn off I don't really feel like riding.

It's been very hot and sunny here for the last few days - perfect riding weather, but where have I been? On the beach relaxing, instead of heading off on the bike.

I love the summer weather, don't get me wrong, but does anyone else find its sometimes a hinderance? In a way I almost find it easier to go out in the spring or autumn when it's not so nice and warm.

I seem to spend all year waiting and training for the few good summer months, then blow it by not even bothering to ride. What's going on?

[Veronica]

I have felt the same way since my vacation started. No enthusiasm for riding. I want to read, cross stitch, or work in my yard. I spent yesterday throughly cleaning the house - ugh. But now I won't have to do any houswork for a while. Today I made myself go. I'd planned on doing about 20 more miles, than going to the pool for a water workout. I ditched that plan. But hey I did something. I did swim a few more laps than usual though.

V.

[emily_in_nc]

Once it gets hot (like above 82-84 with higher humidity - i.e., just about every day in the summer in NC), I start to lose a bit of enthusiasm too., especially when it's also sunny. Once I get out there and start riding, I'm fine, but it's just getting motivated in the hot weather that's hard for me. It just makes me lazy! It is especially hard for me to get motivated to ride alone when it's hot out. I just want to vegetate at home!

Emily

[fultzie]

meee toooo! (the vegetate at home bit)
during the fall and spring, it seems so much easier to get out and ride... it helps me focus on classes, and it's a nice escape from the dorms. but this summer... i'm just wiped out after work (i blame the heat, mostly) and can't do much more than ride to commute.
i think it helps to find a couple of other people to ride with... i'm testing this theory tonight and tomorrow morning i'm hoping that, with the knowledge that someone is waiting for me, i'll be able to drag myself out of the house a bit quicker.

[pedalfaster]

Perfect timing on this post. I bagged my ride this evening and went to see "Home on the Range" and ate a bucket o'movie popcorn. Bliss.

I also took the opportunity make a very-much-needed trip to the grocery store. You know when you open a jar of sauerkraut for dinner (with a handful of walnuts for protein) that you are riding waaaaay too much and grocery shopping wayyyyy too little.

I have coffee and bananas again and the cat was very happy to see a fresh bag of cat food.

I'll make up for it with a 4-5 hour ride tomorrow as I have the day off.

[MightyMitre]

That makes me feel a lot better. I was beginning to think I must be very strange for putting off riding when the weather is good!

It's actually cooled down a bit today and is meant to stay the same for the next few days so going to the beach is off the ageda so hopefully I'll get out there soon.

Thanks for the reassurance

[trekchic]

I feel guilty every time I pass my bike hooked up to the trainer! She wants to get out and go fast! But, the kids come 1st. I have 3 kids in sports.......high school volleyball, softball and basketball and city league baseball, football and basketball. I have been trying to talk my 9 yr old..........9yrs old today!.......into taking football season off this year. We need a break!

I am going to rework my schedule after next week to be able to ride at least 2 days during the week and 1 day on the weekend, and it's going to be all about fun. No more pushing myself to complete "this" many miles at this level or speed.........just ride! I think I've lost the fun of riding in the mechanics of "training" to ride with groups and racing........who am I kidding? I'm not a professional at this sport........it's supposed to be fun!

Kim in TN

[annie]

Wow, ladies. This has been an interesting thread to read to far. I can't say that I have lost any motivation now that it's gotten warm. We've had 80's and high humidity and it just makes me want to ride more. I love the warm weather. I like the sweat dripping off me as I climb. Is that weird? But that's not the only reason I'm loving riding. I still have my main riding event coming up later in the summer. So there's that for motivation. I think having a goal is extrememly helpful in keeping up the desire to ride. Not that it hurts to take a break sometimes, if that's what you feel like doing! If you let yourself relax for a bit, you just might find your enthusiasm right back up there.

Try some different routes. Do a ride you've never done. Or just do your usual route backwards. If you mtb, go road riding. If you're a roadie, go off-road. Sometimes just a little change is all it takes. What Kim said >>it's supposed to be fun!<< is the key, I think.

annie

[Bike2Work4Me]

I'm glad to see it's not just me. I've experienced a slump these past few weeks and really need to get back on the bike. I'm riding Cycle Oregon in September and can't afford the time out of the saddle - but can't seem to get motivated to get back on. It's been raining here for the last few weeks and I'm tired of riding in the rain. I promise to get back on the bike this weekend.

[ragbrai40]

Funny that this thread came along today. I have not had any lag in enthusiasm this year until last night. I just plain didn't want to ride. There was not one part of me that wanted to get on the bike. Period. But I did. It was ok. Not great. But ok.

Usually if I'm struggling with riding, it's because I'm feeling guilty about starting dinner, doing laundry, you know stuff that has to be done to keep the house running and it wears off about the time I get warmed up and the ride turns out to be awesome. But not last night - I couldn't get into the groove.

Normally I'm right where Annie is with riding - love the sweat dripping while climbing - and I feel soooo much better afterwards . My family even comments - "Don't you need to go on a bike ride?" they can guage my moods based on whether I've been riding or not!

It's raining today so I don't have to make the decision "to ride or not to ride". So I'm going shopping - need a couple of new jerseys and I'll be anxious to try them out, which means I have to ride! See how that resolved itself?

[annie]

My family has often told me the same thing. "Don't you need to go for a ride? You're awfully grumpy." So I willingly oblige.

There are certainly days when I don't feel like riding. So then I don't. It's okay to give yourself permission to take it easy. Then there's these blasted rainy days! As if we haven't had enough of those!!!

Gotta go shopping, I guess.

annie

[ChainsOflove]

I found I was making it a chore, all kinds of guilt about not going fast enough, hard enough long enough, and not getting strong soon enough.

I just finally dropped it and decided to do the best I can. Seems to have taken the pressure off and I'm having more fun now!

[Bike2Work4Me]

Well, I did it. I got home from work and set out on my bike for my LBS. It's about 7 miles from home - downhill. I made it all the way back up the hill (7% grade) to my house and had to let out a big whoop! It felt good to get back on after 3 weeks. I rode to work in the rain today. If only it would dry out soon.....

[Dogmama]

I tell myself that I'll go out for 15 - 30 minutes & if I hate it, I can come home. Once out on the bike, I love it. I think putting on the helmet & shoes is the most difficult part.

In Tucson, I have to ride at 5AM because it's too hot after 9AM. So I have to be up at 4AM. Which means bed at 8AM. Makes it hard to watch the NBA finals!

But, I'm with you ladies - some days I just need a break! So I'll go several days staying off the bike & maybe lifting at the gym & reading on the step mill. After my mind is thoroughly numbed by aerobic equipment at the gym, the bike is wonderful!

[pedalfaster]

I agree with the new-gear-as-motivational tool thing!

I just got new shorts, riding glasses and tires and couldn't wait to ride! Got new running shoes too...but I had too much fun on the ride and so the poor shoes sit...all shiney and white on the kitchen table. Perhaps I'll find time for a brick this weekend