Cycling Mums

[Trekhawk]

My husband has been away for the last four weeks and at first I wondered how I would manage to get my rides in but I have managed pretty well. My youngest is at Preschool two days a week so I make sure I ride on these days no matter what and a friends daughter has been coming over on Saturdays for an hour so I can go for a ride and she can make a bit of play money. Things were cruising along quiet nicely and I had even started adding miles to my longest distance and then It struck me FALL BREAK. I love having my kids home for the holidays and we have heaps of fun but I realized just last night oh no I wont be able to ride on the week days and then aaahh found out my sitter is going away for the week so no Saturday rides either. Hopefully my husband will be back in a week or so but this will mean I wont have ridden my bike for nearly two weeks by the time he returns.

Do you start feeling a little grumpy if you dont get to ride?
I feel a little like this already and keep looking at my beautiful bike and the weather thinking I know I would feel much happier if I could only go for a little ride.

What do all you mums of little kids do when the holidays or sickness or work curtail your riding. How do you keep the grumps under control?

[sydney_b]

Trailer + picnic makes for fun. Even though you might not go as fast as usual, the extra weight makes it work and including the kiddies will make it more likely they'll join you in your hobby when they get older. Granted, that makes it NOT the pleasant alone time that it might normally be, but you get some exercise and the kids have some fun.

[Trekhawk]

Trailer + picnic makes for fun. Even though you might not go as fast as usual, the extra weight makes it work and including the kiddies will make it more likely they'll join you in your hobby when they get older. Granted, that makes it NOT the pleasant alone time that it might normally be, but you get some exercise and the kids have some fun.

Thanks for the tip but I can only fit one into my trailer and I wont let the others ride on the road yet. Trails would be good but unfortunately I only have a road bike at the moment and there are no bike paths around here.

The picnic sounds like fun though so maybe a hike and picnic might be the thing.

[go get em]

Do you start feeling a little grumpy if you dont get to ride?
I feel a little like this already and keep looking at my beautiful bike and the weather thinking I know I would feel much happier if I could only go for a little ride.

Yes! This has definitely happened to me on many occasions. Do you have a friend maybe you can trade babysitting with. I'll watch yours if you watch mine. Can you go to a gym? Or maybe get a trainer and ride at home? It's not the same as being able to get out but it keeps the legs working while off your schedule.

I take this time to TRY and get riding in, but welcome the break to. The body could always use the break.

Good luck

[Trekhawk]

Do you start feeling a little grumpy if you dont get to ride?
I feel a little like this already and keep looking at my beautiful bike and the weather thinking I know I would feel much happier if I could only go for a little ride.
Yes! This has definitely happened to me on many occasions. Do you have a friend maybe you can trade babysitting with. I'll watch yours if you watch mine. Can you go to a gym? Or maybe get a trainer and ride at home? It's not the same as being able to get out but it keeps the legs working while off your schedule.
I take this time to TRY and get riding in, but welcome the break to. The body could always use the break.
Good luck

go get em - Im thinking a trainer might be a good ide.Not as nice as riding outside but at least as you said I could keep my legs spinning.

[nuthatch]

Let's see, do I feel a little grumpy? How about total nuclear meltdown if I miss more than a day? I'm total addicted to the endorphins now. The trainer is like sex in raincoats but it really is better than not riding at all. Go get 'em Mum!

[Trekhawk]

Let's see, do I feel a little grumpy? How about total nuclear meltdown if I miss more than a day? I'm total addicted to the endorphins now. The trainer is like sex in raincoats but it really is better than not riding at all. Go get 'em Mum!

LOL - I will never be able to look at a trainer now without thinking about the sex in raincoats line. Glad to know others get grumpy when they cant ride. You know I think its actually taken me by surprise just how much I miss getting out on my bike. Yep I think Im addicted.

[littleblue]

Biking IS addictive!!! In the bad snow we get in Michigan I've learned to just get on the trainer. I've tried other exercises, but nothing gets the heart rate up and keeps it up for me as much as cycling. I've tried aerobics, which I hate, and karate, which nearly ruined my feet, but the only workout I really enjoy is cycling. If I don't get in at least one 3-4 hour weekend ride or a couple of hour-long weekday rides I get REALLY grumpy. The trainer isn't much fun, but at least it's cycling. It helps to put the trainer in front of the TV and watch a movie.

[nuthatch]

I like to watch my Tour de France tapes on the trainer and help Lance and George over the mountains!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Trek. I know how frustrating it can be to have crcumstances conspire and keep you away from your bike - for me its family and work... why do I have to work? Why not just get kids to school and bike all day...

As for doing worthy work... if we all mediated and focused our energy on good and positive outcomes round the world... WHILE WE CYCLED ... surely we would have an effect?

Do you have a trainer, Trek? It sucks, but its better than nothing... and like nuthatch, I put on cycle races and that helps keep me on longer than ten minutes

[go get em]

I like to watch my Tour de France tapes on the trainer and help Lance and George over the mountains!

Hee! That's cute.

[Trekhawk]

Hey there Trek. I know how frustrating it can be to have crcumstances conspire and keep you away from your bike - for me its family and work... why do I have to work? Why not just get kids to school and bike all day...
As for doing worthy work... if we all mediated and focused our energy on good and positive outcomes round the world... WHILE WE CYCLED ... surely we would have an effect?
Do you have a trainer, Trek? It sucks, but its better than nothing... and like nuthatch, I put on cycle races and that helps keep me on longer than ten minutes

My poor husband I keep telling him his job is interfering with my cycing.

I dont have a trainer but think I might look into getting one. Im hoping to stay out on the road for winter but when things get a little too scary out there or the kids are on holidays or sick it would be nice to have some way to keep those legs moving.

Thanks girls for all your great tips.