Cycling Doldrums?

[Jolt]

Why don't you try riding your bike to do some errands?

I was going to say exactly the same thing! Then you're getting some exercise, getting things done that you have to do anyway, and keeping some pollution out of the air to boot. Very satisfying, and no competition (except maybe with yourself).

[Veronica]

Ride your own ride. You have to keep it fun and stop fretting about what anyone else thinks.

Yeah, I've experienced the loss of motivation:

2006 - 5,000+ miles
2007 - 4,000+ miles
2008 - 3,000+ miles
2009 - 750 miles

Riding became a chore at the end of 2008. I wasn't doing it for me anymore. I was doing it to get an R-12 and it wasn't fun.

As far as the extra weight goes, unless you have other health issues, it's really calories in versus calories out. Some calorie types are more satisfying. Personally, I eat a lot of protein (nuts and peanut butter) and almost no fruit. Fruit is just simple sugar and does nothing to satisfy me. Think about your eating habits. Do you eat out of stress? Do you eat 'cause you're bored? Cut out the junk. It takes time. I lost 30 pounds back in 2001 in about 6 months and have kept it off. It's taken about a year to lose 5 more. That required cutting back on my sugar intake. I love sweets.

Do you have an unrealistic expectation of what your weight should be? I'm just about 5'5" and weigh 145 pounds. If I just look at the numbers, I think, "Wow, that's kinda tubby. Women that height should weigh 120 pounds." But you know what, that's for the models, not triathletes. I'm not made to be a stick. Maybe you're not either.

Whatever you do, do it for you. Not because it's what someone else thinks is right.

Veronica

[daisylubob]

Maybe there is an element of overtraining going on. Riding too much and focusing on just getting faster or stronger can create fatiuge. Or a lack of even wanting to ride. Try cutting back a bit and see what happens.
That being said, don't give up! You never know when you will be FORCED to stay off your bike. I am in that situation currently and it is hell.....

[Pedal Wench]

Do you have an unrealistic expectation of what your weight should be? I'm just about 5'5" and weigh 145 pounds. If I just look at the numbers, I think, "Wow, that's kinda tubby. Women that height should weigh 120 pounds." But you know what, that's for the models, not triathletes. I'm not made to be a stick. Maybe you're not either.

I needed that. 120 was the number that I always want to be, but I would rather look like an athlete than a model. You just made my day!

[Becky]

I needed that. 120 was the number that I always want to be, but I would rather look like an athlete than a model. You just made my day!

Agreed! At 5'4" and 130, I think I look like an athlete. But my doctor's office is always shocked by how much I weigh for my height.... I think they expect me to be 115 or something....it boggles my mind....

I'm glad to hear that this isn't just me...thanks ladies!

[RolliePollie]

This is such a great forum...thank you all for your really nice replies.

The errands and backing off training ideas sound good. I do think that part of my issue is that I wanted to be at a certain place in my training by the end of April and I know I'm not even close. So maybe if I stop taking it so seriously and try to ride more for fun, it will help.

The self esteem thing definitely plays in as well. I guess comparing myself to more athletic cyclists who have been riding for 15 years is pretty silly. I wish my self esteem wasn't so tied up in what others think or how I compare to others, but unfortunately that's something I need to work on.

I will try to make myself ride this weekend (weather permitting) and I'll focus on having fun. Or...I might take the weekend off and do something else!

[ny biker]

FWIW, I bought my first adult bike (first since I was in high school) in 1998. That was a mountain bike but I rode it mostly on paved trails. In late 2002 I got my road bike. Since then I've done 3 full centuries and countless other long rides (metrics, etc.) But I'm still pretty much the same speed as I was before and I don't expect to get any faster ever. I was built for endurance, not speed, and that's just the way it is. As for bike handling, I don't think I've advanced very far on that either. I still can't bunny hop a curb and I always have to unclip for u-turns and turns in tight spaces. I think my balance has improved but that's probably due as much to working out in the gym as to bike riding.

As for this:

The errands and backing off training ideas sound good. I do think that part of my issue is that I wanted to be at a certain place in my training by the end of April and I know I'm not even close. So maybe if I stop taking it so seriously and try to ride more for fun, it will help.

The self esteem thing definitely plays in as well. I guess comparing myself to more athletic cyclists who have been riding for 15 years is pretty silly. I wish my self esteem wasn't so tied up in what others think or how I compare to others, but unfortunately that's something I need to work on.

Sometimes it can be good to compete or compare yourself against others. But unless you're racing, I think it's best to only compare yourself to yourself. I know what my average speed tends to be for a certain type of ride, so I focus on matching that or maybe trying to beat it a little. If anyone else is faster than I am, so be it.

And it can help to set goals, but if you don't reach them it's not the end of the world. There are too many things you can't control -- injuries, illness, work- or family-related conflicts -- that can keep you from training. All you can do is try to learn from it and then move on.

[Crankin]

Ride with slower people. Really. That will put it all in perspective. And all of the other things everyone said.
Using the bike for errands and as transportation really changed my perspective. It makes me feel like a kid again. I am much more relaxed on the road bike after a spin on my Jamis.

[WindingRoad]

RP,

There's always just going out for a hike, brisk walk, swimming at the gym or local pool, roller skating. There's lot of things beside cycling is what I'm getting at. I find that commuting does help me enjoy cycling more. I can go my own pace, I don't obsess about how fast I'm going, just getting from point A to point B is nice. Heck sometimes I just stop and sit on a bench and eat an apple or orange just because I can (usually on my way home).

Don't give up.

WR

[Grasshoppergirl]

I see you are somewhere in our area of the foothills. Sometimes these hills can be discouraging, especially if you don't ride them 3-4 times a week. Sign up for the Stockton Bike Club's Delta Century on May 2nd. It's flat. You'll have a change of scenery out in the Delta and vineyards. I like the 100k.
Whatever you do, don't sell your bikes, just take a break.

[malkin]

Your OP said you wanted help figuring out how to love your bike again...I think you need to figure out how to love your SELF again.

Sounds like you're on the right track. Have some fun.
You're lovable and you're capable...even if you're in a funk.
Just don't take it out on your bikes!


I used to beat myself up all the time for all sorts of stupid stuff--like spilling coffee or stumbling on an uneven surface--I realized that I would never berate any friend or even acquaintance for stuff like that--I'd just help wipe up the coffee or lend a hand or whatever. So if you wouldn't beat up a friend in that situation, and would in fact just love a friend in that situation, couldn't you extend the same love for yourself?

[moderncyclista]

Maybe you're putting too much focus on what it is to be "a cyclist" and not enough emphasis on just loving cycling. I don't really focus on what people think I should be. If I have fun on my bike, use it for utility, or just ride around on a trail, I'm a cyclist. I ride with people who are faster/slower/and at the same level as me. Sometimes we even go the same pace just for the joy of each others company. Keep riding. Who cares how fast others can go? I don't. I ride the pace that suits me, if I improve great. If I don't I still love to ride. How can I go wrong? Best wishes.