Trouble Getting Back on My Bike ...

[gabriellesca]

I trained hard core last summer for my first Century and loved it. The ride was hard for me and training was tough as a total newbie to the sport.

But I haven't been back on my bike more than twice since that ride and both were tiny little rides around my neighborhood. I miss the sport but for some reason getting back on the bike seems overwhelming, intimidating - anyone experience this before?

I live in a congested city so some of it is not wanting to battle traffic - but its odd - I've been working out like crazy - even spinning. But I can't make myself gear up and get on that bike. I think I'm a little afraid of how out of shape I am now (I got mono and put on weight after the ride). But its sitting in my living room and I feel sad I'm still not riding. Maybe its not the sport for me ... and I'm trying to force it because it was such an incredible experience. But then I did love riding.

My boyfriend (avid cyclist) said I burnt myself out. I just don't know. Curious what others think?

[sfa]

Just get on the bike and go, but only for a few miles.

I get the same way after I've been away from an activity for any length of time--the dread of taking it up again (even something I *love*) is overwhelming, and I've found the only cure is to just plain do it. But don't overdo it--you want to get on the bike for long enough to remember why you love it, but not so long that it becomes a chore. I went on a year-long bike tour at one point and when I got back I rode my bike for two days, then put the bike away and didn't get on it again for 7 years! Then I did practically the same thing all over again--I stopped exercising at all when I had kids, so the bike sat in my basement gathering dust for another 9 years. I just pulled it out again last year and have been riding regularly since then, but I very nearly didn't--I kept coming up with excuses for not riding (it's too hot, it might rain, it's too cold, I've got errands to run and laundry to fold). Mind you, at that point I had been working out regularly for a few years, so I didn't have any fitness related excuses.

The other approach is to sign up for something fun and do-able, but something that requires at least a little bit of regular time on a bike--something like a 25 mile charity ride. Deadlines are great motivators!

Sarah

[shootingstar]

IBut I haven't been back on my bike more than twice since that ride and both were tiny little rides around my neighborhood. I miss the sport but for some reason getting back on the bike seems overwhelming, intimidating - anyone experience this before?

I live in a congested city so some of it is not wanting to battle traffic - but its odd - I've been working out like crazy - even spinning. But I can't make myself gear up and get on that bike. I think I'm a little afraid of how out of shape I am now (I got mono and put on weight after the ride). But its sitting in my living room and I feel sad I'm still not riding. Maybe its not the sport for me ... and I'm trying to force it because it was such an incredible experience. But then I did love riding.

My boyfriend (avid cyclist) said I burnt myself out. I just don't know. Curious what others think?

Try doing it early in morning or when traffic is calmer. And go back into cycling as part of....a lifestyle choice by integrating into your errands ..go for a picnic after a bike ride. In other words, overfocusing on cycling itself, makes it seem more momentual instead of using the bike to allow you to do other things along the way, which includes enjoying fine weather days.

As for feeling out shape, just tell yourself you have a fully functioning body. That's all it counts right now: a person in a wheelchair would be envying you right now.

Get on the bike..please. A mobile body is a GIFT and use it.

[redrhodie]

I totally had to force myself to ride at first. I was not comfortable in traffic, and I was not a good bike rider for about the first year. I'd get really nervous before every ride. But, I kept doing it, and I got more confident, and got better at it pretty quickly.

So, get on the bike. Make yourself do it. If you're feeling guilty, you need to ride. It will make you feel better.

Ride really early in the morning, when traffic is slower, and before you have a chance to talk yourself out of it.

[Selkie]

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. It takes time to get that confidence again, and time in the saddle in the answer. Even short rides "count."

If you enjoy it, do it. I ride in the early morning, primarily because of my commute and work schedule. It's a great time of the day to ride. If you're in the city, you'll get the see the city waking up and you probably will encounter folks you'll see regularly. Invest in a headlight and taillight to be sure you're seen and can see.

[KathiCville]

+1 on just getting out and having some fun on your bike. It does sound like you burned out a bit.

Are you generally pretty goal-oriented?? And so, without a goal, you're having a hard time getting yourself psyched? If you do need a goal to get going, can you find a charity ride in the fall to shoot for? (As SFA suggests.) Something less than a century---maybe 25 to 50 miles---an event that will make you feel great about participating, because you're raising money, contributing to a good cause?

How about loading the bikes up and heading outside of the city for a day or weekend of very casual, low-key cycling? No pressure, just a chance to enjoy pedaling and watching scenery go by?

Whatever you do, don't beat up on yourself for being slow to warm up to cycling again! If you loved it enough to ride a century, you can find that spark again. I bet the moment you put foot to pedal someplace pretty or in the name of getting in shape for a fall ride, you'll find yourself smiling! It might take a bit of work to get back in shape, but you've got it in you, that's for sure. No one can ride a century who doesn't have built-in get-up-and-go and a true passion for cycling!

[gabriellesca]

Thanks so much guys! It helps to hear that you guys understand.

I was trying to figure out if I really love riding or if I just did it to prove to myself I could do it. But there were times on the bike that I did love it. I think I've gotten out of shape and I am worried that it will make me feel badly that I'm so out of shape in terms of riding. My old route will be so tough now.

BUT ... you all are so right. I need to just do it and see how it feels. Stop thinking and worrying so much.

Shootingstar - so funny you wrote that. I actually have a very slight disability which prohibits me from walking too long (I can do a few blocks but not more than that and cant' do stairs) - I have a handicap placard. And my Mom is very limited in her body (most of it self-inflicted) so this is SUCH a theme for me. Which is why I've been swimming, spinning, taking strength classes lately. Can't seem to make the connection back on the bike.

Thanks guys ... you've motivated. I watched every second of the Tour - I thought that would motivate me - but no luck. This might have done it for me. Thanks!!!

[Biciclista]

haha, the tour doesn't motivate ME either. They are going too fast, too close, their positions are too extreme, etc, etc.
Do you have anyone to ride with? that helps too.

[kenyonchris]

I trained hard core last summer for my first Century and loved it. The ride was hard for me and training was tough as a total newbie to the sport.

But I haven't been back on my bike more than twice since that ride and both were tiny little rides around my neighborhood. I miss the sport but for some reason getting back on the bike seems overwhelming, intimidating - anyone experience this before?

I live in a congested city so some of it is not wanting to battle traffic - but its odd - I've been working out like crazy - even spinning. But I can't make myself gear up and get on that bike. I think I'm a little afraid of how out of shape I am now (I got mono and put on weight after the ride). But its sitting in my living room and I feel sad I'm still not riding. Maybe its not the sport for me ... and I'm trying to force it because it was such an incredible experience. But then I did love riding.

My boyfriend (avid cyclist) said I burnt myself out. I just don't know. Curious what others think?

I HATE a hiatus away from anything for too long...it has been almost a week since I have ridden because of my road bike being out of commission and the rain keeping me off the trails... and here is why...
I am THE most COMPETITIVE person ever. Not with others, there are lots of people that are better, stronger, faster, whatever, than I am. But I like continuing in an upward, always better, always stronger, always faster...trend. So it is against myself. But enforced inactivity, for whatever reason...bugs the tar out of me because I feel in a constant backslide. Once I slide to whatever the bottom is, I get bummed because I know what I CAN do.
Amazingly enough, once I get going again, it is easy to start the climb against myself. But starting can be a pain. Just jump in there, the water is warm.

[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!