Every have a bad day? (mountain biking)

[MightyMitre]

I'm a roadie but I totally know where you're coming from, in tears and generally feeling miserable. And as for the "committe" - not always very helpful. They've had me going round in mental loops before now. ( Any suggestions about how I can shut them up Irulan? )

In January I had one of those rides. The weather was fantastic - very clear and sunny but very cold, frosty,with a biting wind , but I've done a few chilly rides this winter so I just wrapped up and went out.

By about half way round the loop the gremlins set in - nothing had felt right from the minute I 'd left the front door. The headwind along the coast road was a b*****d and because I'd left later in the day than normal there was loads of traffic down my normally quiet route, with a couple of cars tooting horns and gererally being rude.

Finally I just pulled in at a layby, fumbled around trying to eat some energy bar and generally felt very sorry for myself. If there had been a magic button to get myself home I would have pressed it about 50 times! After that I just limped home and then gave myself a hard time about it for the next few days.

What I'd totally forgotten was that even though it wasn't the best training I've ever done I'd actually got myself out there - even though it was totally freezing and most 'normal' people would have thought twice even about going down the shops. It had also been such gorgeous weather - the sea was pan flat and glittering, but during the ride and the days that followed I'd totally managed to forget the good stuff and kept beating myself up instead.

I've had similar experiences since but that was the worst because I was just so cold. After the last one I decided they were 'Mental Bonks' - just the same as when you bonk /blow / hit the wall when you don't eat enough, except they affect my head/spirit instead .

Next time I feel out of sorts I think I might try a sugar/glucose hit the minute I start to feel bad, rather that just trying to ride it out like before- just to see what happens - as i've got a feeling it might just help lift my mood.

But on those good days .... ahhhh....

Tablerock, I'm sure you'll be feeling good again soon,don't be too hard on yourself. Just take a nice, easy ride, relax, look at the scenery and remember what it is you like about riding a bike. (Cool name by-the-way)