Trouble Getting Back on My Bike ...

[chicagogal]

ditto on just going out for a pleasant short ride to see how you feel. Like you, I started riding last year and trained for a century as a way to keep myself motivated. Then winter came, my routine came to a halt, and, well, I got totally out of shape. But as soon as the weather got better, I convinced my friends to join me on a ride (these are friends who stayed in shape all winter and didn't believe me when I said I was out of shape) and needless to say, they dropped me on that first ride out this past spring. But that didn't stop me from loving cycling, it just motivated me to get back into shape so I could keep up with them! Now, I am a stronger rider than they are (partly because they have so many other sports, and I just cycle) but we love hitting the road together. I imagine that if you get out there, you will remember what you loved about cycling and it won't matter that you are in the kind of shape you were last year (but I imagine you will get there).

[cylegoddess]

I trained for a year and half, all the time - weekends, commuting, spin classes, leg weights. Then, I hurt my neck, got at big chronic fatigue attack and ALSO got shoulder tendinitis. So six weeks off bike. Ate cookies and did computer, so major sloth. Ive been easing back into it ( as its cold out,REALLY cold!) by doing little jaunts to shops and such. I lost all cardio,obviously but do most months by getting CF attacks and staying of bike for two weeks.
Maybe your bored by where you have to ride. I know I am, somewhat. I dont feel at all motivated, but I get up anyhow, over and over. Like brushing your teeth - good for you and youll feel those endorphins and bond to your bike again.

[Crankin]

This is the first time since I've been riding (9 years) that I haven't felt burned out at this time in the season. The reason is that I made a conscious effort to make cycling less stressful by not always making goals of faster, longer, harder and instead, using cycling as part of a total lifestyle. It has really worked; once I forgot about my average, it went up. I ride with 2 friends who are much slower than me. While I often go ahead of them, it keeps me from overdoing it, which I am prone to. Then, when I ride alone or with my DH, I am fresh and can push myself. At this time of year, I ride to farm markets a couple of times a week and I ride to appointments. When I was working, I commuted twice a week, with no expectation of speed.
I've always done other sports/gym things which keep me in reasonable shape for cycling. That doesn't mean I don't have to work at building up my endurance in March, when the season starts, but it helps.
So, go with the idea of having fun and no expectations except that you go out and ride.

[indigoiis]

I can relate, and also can say from experience that you just need to get back on, even if just for a short ride.

My thing is maps - I LOVE maps. I love exploring Rhode Island. So when I don't feel like riding, I map a new ride, and then I have to go and check it out.

[gabriellesca]

Okay ........ its working ......... I'm really thinking of getting back on my bike this weekend!

Thanks guys for all the kind words of encouragement. It helps to hear your stories of what motivates you and gets you back on there.

After the ride last August, I got really super sick in October and then in November found out I had mono and a bunch of other health issues. I was so tired and unmotivated I just ate and ate and I actually gained 15 pounds last fall within a month. It was crazy. It took some time to get over the depression that the ride was over - I was sick - I was heavier (I'm a big girl to begin with but 15 pounds was hard to gain so quickly). And I wavered and struggled until up to a few weeks ago. When I got angry at a friend's attitude (long story) and angry with myself ..... and since then I've just been in the zone. Loving my workouts - eating well - lost the 15 I gained (though that was since April). So I need to get back into my bike now. I think it might be time.

What's weird is the guilt I feel about NOT riding. Its funny - but I do feel super guilty about it.

So time to get over it and get back on. Hopefully this weekend (I'm busy until then)!

THANK YOU THANK YOU!