Cycling Doldrums?

[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.

[Miranda]

Ride with slower people. Really. That will put it all in perspective. And all of the other things everyone said.

+1 on this...

I think what I hear you saying most to ME is: this sux because I have everything I need to ride... but no buddy to enjoy the ride WITH.

RP... that was me last year before I *finally* found my current ride partner. I knew her as an aquiant from years ago. Ran into her at weird place, and started chatting about starting cycling, and ride partner whoas etc. In the end, we are a great match to ride for fun & fitness. I'm just missing a training buddy for some events to find yet, but the company is far more important to me.

All you need is to just find *one* soul out there that fits with you.

I don't know if you could network through the lbs, or bike clubs?

I was to the point I even considered taking out an ad to seek out someone. Seriously. Meaning, like at the lbs... or our club has announcements, ads you can post. And I might even try that for my search in a training buddy.

Once you find that person, the world of riding changes from night to day.

Right now it's not working for you what you got going on... so what have you got to lose? Nothing. Go for it!

(((hugs)))
Miranda

[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.

[Selkie]

Rollie - In November, I decided that riding in the cold weather was too much to bear, so I took it inside until mid-March. Spent lots of time doing Spinervals and I was more than ready to get back out on the pavement when spring arrived.

I like riding alone. Never ride with others because I want to go at my own pace, on my route, etc. I can understand why people enjoy riding together, though.

Last summer, I rediscovered my love of swimming, and having another activity that I enjoy has kept me from focusing too much on cycling (specifically, logging lots of miles). I believe that knowing I could swim every morning, even if it were too cold/snowy/icy to ride outside, kept my SAD at bay this year, despite having a very cold, snowy winter. And swimming is my Zen time---I love the water. There's no pressure on me to go fast or have a perfect technique...

Anyway, go for smiles, not miles. Don't put pressure on yourself. If you decide you need to take a break, why not? You might discover something else you enjoy as well, if not more.

You sound like a nice person and you are healthy, both of which are more important than anything. Don't be so hard on yourself.

[NoNo]

Last year I decided I wanted to try my first century. I thought I was ready and I was so excited to tackle the challenge. My friends and coworkers were cheering me on, people were very generous with their donations (it was for the MS Society), and I felt like I had to live up to my goal. Well, I "only" made it 70 miles and discovered my bike hadn't been fitted properly. It crushed my motivation, I felt like I'd let everyone down and I was a failure. From early June on, aside from a few rides when we were in Italy, I didn't touch my bike. I realized that the century made riding a chore more than the fun activity it once was for me. If I wasn't going to do at least 30 miles, what was the point of riding at all? Must go faster! Must climb more hills! Nah, that's not why I enjoyed cycling.

A few weeks back I got on the bike and just did a few miles. I took breaks, I enjoyed the scenery, I went whatever speed I felt like, and I changed my computer so I couldn't see my speed or distance. It clicked again. And while I'm signed up for another century, my approach to it will be much different. Much like you, my average speed hasn't improved that much over the years, nor has my ability to climb hills. I'm not going to worry about it anymore, I just need to enjoy the ride. Hold onto the bikes. At some point, you may want to mosey around for 2 or 5 or 10 miles. And then maybe that passion will come back. Hang in there!

[maillotpois]

What others have said - don't sell the bikes. Just put them aside for a bit and ride when you want to.

If you extrapolated out Veronica's mileage history for a 10 year period, you'd get something that looks a lot like my riding history, but with another period of increased riding after the low spot. I had 2 years when I rode great guns, 5000+ miles per year, did Death Ride and a bunch of centuries and even some racing. Then in 03 - 04, I was burned out and didn't ride as much, only doing the bare minimum to coach centuries for TNT. By mid-04 I knew I wanted to start up again more seriously and contacted my former coach, who was coaching for TNT Death Ride in 05. His advice I really took to heart. He encouraged me to sign up and do Death Ride with him in 05, but for the 5 months before training started he said "Ride for fun."

That might be where you are - you need to ride for fun. Ride when you WANT to not when you feel you SHOULD. Ride when it's beautiful out and you want to smell things blooming and grass growing. Have FUN with it.

You'll get it back. There's an ebb and flow to everything. After the 05 DR I have been riding pretty consistently (other then the random health event), but now this year just feels like a bit more of an off year for me. I have a lot going on personally and am having trouble finding time to ride and getting my motivation up. I'm not going to let that bug me, because I know it'll come back eventually.

You mention your riding skills and bike handling need work. Do you have a coach or experienced rider friend nearby who you might ask to take you on a ride and give you suggestions to improve those areas? Improving your bike handling needn't involve long training rides, but shorter fun rides where you work on one skill at a time for a half hour or so. Then when you do come back to more regular riding you can bring improved skills along with you.

Good luck - don't worry about it and for heavens sake don't sell your bikes!!!

[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.