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!!!![]()




Reply With Quote