Grr...

[Livin the Dream]

My motivation comes and goes. There are evenings when my day has just been hectic, I'm tired and I'd rather plop my butt on the couch and read a book. DH rarely rides with me during the week -- he's a weekend rider only. So, when I'm fighting a mental "should I do it or should I not" battle with myself, I agree with myself that I'll just ride to my daughter's house and back (She lives a mile away). Once I'm on the bike and going, I'm fine. I don't think I've ever just ridden to her house and back. I'm no marathon rider by any stretch of the imagination -- I ride because it is the form of exercise I enjoy most. I usually end up riding at least 6 - 7 miles and feeling much better when I'm back home!

[mimitabby]

Cella, i am not sure what will work for you; but mortality is what did it for me.
When my mother fell 2x last year and broke bones both times, I had my wakeup call. Osteoporosis and being out of shape are a bad combo. You need to be in shape to keep from stumbling. You need to be in shape to be able to open jar lids and climb stairs. Bicycling has been a great gateway drug for me. From there i have progressed to walking, stairclimbing, weighlifting and pushups.
I am not someone who exercises 3 hours a day; but for sure, I am trying to do SOMETHING 6 days a week.
I hope you get off your azz soon

[rapid cycler]

Hey, Cella—

I had a similar spell in the early part of this year. Over the course of a few months I went from riding outdoors every chance I got…to riding mostly on a trainer in front of the TV…to riding occasionally on a trainer in front of the TV—and being afraid to ride outside again—to hanging the bike in the garage and putting the trainer away. I sort of got into this weird place where I even contemplated selling my bike and getting something less fancy because I wasn't worthy of carbon and Ultegra. Yup, it was a spiral.

The good news is, spirals work both ways, because once I finally forced myself back out on the bike for an outdoor ride—with no pressure to do anything epic or exhausting—I rediscovered the exhilaration that lured me into cycling in the first place. I think the key is to reestablish the joy in your relationship with cycling—that pleasure that doesn't understand the language of "training ride" or "hill repeats" and instead recalls the freedom you felt as a kid when you got your first bike. I'll come back to you in time, but you might have to cajole yourself into that first ride. Keep the faith, and enjoy the trip back.

[Torrilin]

I stay motivated by competing with myself. How fast can I get to my partner's office to meet him for lunch? (around 8 minutes for 2.1 miles) Can I ride 10 miles? (not yet) Can I break my weekly mileage record? (yes!) How many miles can I get in in gear combo X?

Since I just moved and I use my bike as my primary transportation, I'm always going new places. That helps keep the interest level up. Finding raspberries in the Arboretum on Wednesday was awesome! If I'd been in a car I'd never have seen them. Now I have a reason to ride that route more... they should be ripe soon and I want to beat the birds to them.

The exercise high doesn't hurt either, but by itself it wouldn't be enough.

[Cyclo Kitty]

I think it's a familiar cycle, to get burned out. Three months ago was March, and March was nasty up here in the NE--I rode home in ice storms, just about lost my desire to ride. I took a day off, and rode different routes. I rode for fun instead of to work because riding in there actually wasn't fun...so I added a couple loops to the commute and that helps.

Get back on the bike and ride in circles around the yard, the driveway, whatever you've got. It's FUN. It feels GREAT. Just get back on. I think the rest will come to you if you just start again.

My personal motivations are to drive as little as possible and to bike instead, to get fit enough to race, and to race 'cross, and to prove to the lunky guys at work that a chick can do it...even when they won't/can't. It's my own foolish pride and a point of principle, but if I won't ride, I have to walk instead of driving. And I hate the walk to work. So I ride.

[maryellen]

Thank you for this thread!

Since my crash last August, I've had a hard time getting back on the bike. I went out for a few miles one day, then out for 26 miles the following week, then skipped a week. Surely not the way to get back to consistent riding!

I was compiling reasons why I couldn't ride today when I read this thread. It was clearly talking to me--especially Jiffer's "Just Do It" post so off I went for a 37 mile ride in the park. I'm getting there.

[Cella66]

Thank you all for your help. I think there are many reasons for my lack of motivation (a lot listed in this thread) Your suggestions are great ones and in some perverse way it helps to know I am not alone in my struggles.

I think the big thing is the "Groundhog Day" effect. Same ride day in and day out. Unless I put my bike in the back of my car and take it somewhere I am limited to the road that I live on.(rural living bites!) That coupled with no one to share the bikelove seem to be my biggest issues. None of my friends ride and they get this funny half glazed look when I talk about it. One of them will inevitably say "here she goes again!"

I still haven't got on my bike, but I hope to. I am setting a goal to at least ride once next week. It was supposed to be this morning, but the weather dampens more than my spirit.

Thanks for letting me whine and I will try some of the suggestions given.



marcie