Ms Hermit,

I totally relate. I have been there... with alpine skiing. Oh man, I just LOVED to ski when I was a kid. I didn't know about form; I didn't care. I loved feeling the snow slide beneath me and I even loved falling down and seeing how much stuff I could lose each time I fell. I was the kid with the tree cops chasing me. Then, I went to college and I couldn't afford to ski. I joined ski patrol so I could ski for free. These were good skiers. They were technically accurate and fast and competitive. I got better - quite good in fact. Then the magic went away, then I burned out. My answer, quit ski patrol. Take up telemarking and snow boarding and skate skiing and x country skiing and ... well you get the picture. I think it's analogous to the advice you have received here. Ride when you feel like it. Recapture that joy - I love silly things on my townie bike - it helps me not take myself too seriously. Falling off is also quite good for my ego, but maybe that's just me. I like the picnic / knitting idea - how fun! Don't push it, and your sport will recapture yor imagination. Enjoy the journey!