Kim,

Your protein shake sounds great! I use whey protein powder mixed in with my morning cereal and also mix it with juice after a ride - or else I use Endurox, which has a 4:1 carbs to protein ratio that is recommended by a lot of knowledgable cycling types.

Motivation....here are the top 10 that spring to mind:

1. Belonging to a bike club and doing group rides on weekends. I find this a lot more fun that just riding around our area over and over. It's fun to talk to different riders and go different places, plus it pushes me to try to keep up with some of the faster riders and continuously improve. The friendships I have made through the club keep me motivated. I also enjoy riding with women for a change, since I usually ride with my husband. I have had some great conversations on the bike that make the miles fly by!

2. Setting a mileage goal for the year and keeping a log on the computer so I can see how I am doing vis-a-vis that goal. My goal for this year is 4000 miles, which is way more than I have ever done before. I will hit 2500 miles this week, so barring injury, I think I can do it!

3. Setting average speed goals so I push myself to go faster over time. For this one, I like using the same route a couple times a week (but not every time I ride - see #4 and 5 below!) so I can compare apples to apples as much as possible and really see improvement over time.

4. Riding to interesting places so the ride has a goal. Often this is a restaurant, ice cream parlor, or the like (bike to eat!), but could also be a nice park or historic site, or whatever charms you!

5. Varying your routes to prevent boredom, even if that means sometimes driving to start somewhere other than home.

6. Events! Single day or multi-day events with a large group - organized metrics, centuries, bike tours (we did Bike Virginia this year and had a blast!), and bike vacations of all sorts. You'll really find yourself energized by being around so many others who share your interest in cycling.

7. Reading about cycling, through these forums, roadbikerider.com (great free weekly newsletter!!), usenet newsgroups (rec.bicycles.misc), and books - whether about bicycle training or tour narratives. Amazon has zillions!

8. Mental tricks: "If I ride tonight I get ice cream for dessert! " Stuff like that always tends to get me off my butt....

9. Having a schedule for riding so I feel more compelled to ride and not slack off. It really helps if you have a regular riding partner too. Some days you'll be the motivated one and some days he or she will be, but usually one of you will be, so you'll ride.

10. With all that said....taking time off when you need it to do other things, rest and recoup, do something different. I find that I come back from these sorts of breaks raring to ride again!

I hope your bike come soon. I know what you are going through (sorta) as my husband and I are currently waiting for a tandem! It seems like the day will never come. You're doing the right thing by running and staying active, and volunteering at the ride is a fabulous idea. That will totally motivate you!

Hang in there!!
Emily