I just want to love to ride again.

[Selkie]

Hermit -- I ride alone, too, for many reasons. I can go at my own pace, wherever I want, for as long/short as I want, etc. That's true freedom. In addition, it's the one part of my day when I'm truly by myself and I have time to meditate/think.
By nature, I'm an introvert and enjoy my own company. I like people, but I also need that private time.

[sundial]

I'm a soloist as well and like MickChick I prefer to enjoy nature and go at my pace.

I bought a bike this year that has a very distinct personality. It doesn't want to go fast. It just wants to enjoy a nice, slow, leisurely pace that allows me to enjoy the small pleasures of life. I wanted to get back to cycling where I enjoy the ride moreso than tracking performance.

Perhaps your older bike serves as a reminder of what you would rather forget. Maybe it's time to start a new chapter with a different bike.

[Yen]

Yep, burn-out. Burn-out can require a long recovery. When you've recovered, you'll know it.

One danger that leads to burn-out is not staying true to our own ways. If you prefer solo riding, or recreational riding, but you pushed yourself beyond your true desires, it's natural you lost your taste for something you otherwise loved.

You might try easing back into it a little at a time. Focus on the parts that you LOVE about it -- the wind in your face, feeling like a kid again -- and do it only when you want to, not forcing yourself to go out or feeling guilty when you don't. You may need to take some small bites that you really enjoy to develop your taste for riding again.

[shootingstar]

I've never had any goal for cycling in upcoming seasons after each winter when I start cycling lots again. When I "re-improve', only because I am cycling alot again, it's like falling in love all over again.

And that's the way I hope it will always be. It's worked for me for past 17 yrs. since rediscovering cycling and part of why it works, is that a large chunk of my cycling is solo, at least 40%.

But it also helps when I cycle with another person, it usually is for each other's company, though we don't necessarily say much at all. My partner and I, unlike some cycling couples ,don't say much to one another when we cycle together. Often it's like a journey meditation together, even though we usually aren't cycling side by side most of the time. Yes, we can go for 50 kms. and probably have said less than 10 sentences to one another, but it's pure zen to us.

And oh, since we live car-free for many years now, bike is just part of us. So it's not always something I think about as I "have to" bike. It just IS for us.

[solobiker]

This has been great to read. I struggled for a while when I couldn't be as fast I used to when I was alpine climbing with a heavy pack. In my early 30s I could easily blow past men and women while I was carrying a 30-40 pound pack with climbing gear. well, I have gotten older and have nerve issues in my feet that don't allow me to do that anymore. I now take my time both on my hikes and bike rides to look at anything that may catch my eye.

There is so much beauty out there it is amazing.

[indigoiis]

Another thing has occurred to me : I met my DH when I was race-fit, and 50 pounds smaller and buffer, and well, I think I let my whole self image shape itself around his impression of me (or my perception of his impression of me) , and so, talk about unrealistic expectations to be upheld. Many married women know how emotionally constricting it is to have a false halo or bunch of old worn-out expectations as baggage to carry in a relationship. I realized just as I was getting choked by my own guilt, that I am getting choked by a degree of percieved expecation from my DH, and that does *nothing* good for a marriage, believe me. A real lose-lose situation, but one I must own up to, and take full responsibility in turning around. Oy. Hard work on all fronts !

This may not seem like your primary concern - but it is a huge deal. I totally know what you mean. My husband met me when I was a mess - 28 and a heavy drinker and smoker and 110 lbs and a size 2. I look at pics of me from then and often feel very remiss that I gained all the weight when I quit smoking and drinking. But the truth of the matter is, you were probably too skinny before and now you're just right. It's just hard to put it in perspective, ya know? I can relate.

I like the idea of slow riding. I'm competitive too. Slowing down is not a bad thing (easier said than done.)

I am competing in a 1/2 marathon in October and asked my husband if he would join me. He said, "nah, I'm just gonna take my bike out to the drive and tuck a book in my jersey and wait for you guys to run by..." it almost made me want to cancel my registration so I can join him instead! LOL.

+1 "just go ride and have fun."