help me get back into the saddle!

[GLC1968]

When 'harvest' time rolled around, I had to cut back on commuting because I needed every spare moment of daylight to get things done (and my commute is 1.5 hours each way). Since then, it's gotten colder and darker and rainier.

And I'm out of shape. DH and I did a 15 mile ride over Thankgiving and I was TIRED. My commute is 20 miles each way.

How do I get motivated to get back in the saddle when it's dark, and either cold or rainy for every commute (it's dark on the way in and on the way home right now)? I can drive to a parking lot 8 miles into the commute to help with my lack of fitness...but this doesn't help with my lack of motivation.

Any one have any brilliant ideas for me? I wanna be a commuter again!! (easy to say now, not so easy to do at 5 am)

[sbctwin]

My commuting days for the year may finally be coming to an end. I don't ride at 25F. We have been lucky that our low has only been around 30F. My commuter bike is now in the shop because a shifter was close to breaking, so no commute for me tomorrow when the low is forecasted for 24F.

I am surprised I have been able to make it this far into the year, and hope to continue, but I realize I am a wuss when it gets below 30F. I hope to be better disciplined at riding my trainer this winter. I leave for work at 4am, so I intend to climb on the trainer at that hour and ride.

Maybe, with the time and weather changing, it is time to ride the trainer and get strong for the 2009 riding season.

[tulip]

GLC, it's just right difficult to find time to ride when there's not much daylight in which to do it. On top of that, you have a long commute by any standards. I don't ride in the dark because I don't see in the dark very well, so I simply ride less in the winter. Back when I commuted to work by bike, in the winter I would ride to work when it would only get lighter on my way in, and then take transit home at night. Could you do that--partial commute one way only a few times a week?

Have you thought of getting a trainer for the winter? I know it's boring, but a few times a week would really help you get in shape for restarting your commute in the spring when it gets lighter. Say twice a week on the trainer plus one or two good weekend rides. The weekend rides might cut into your long list of weekend activities, but maybe you could make your weekend rides part of your weekend chores, like riding to town to get some goat treats, or something?

[sundial]

I agree with Tulip. If you can get on the trainer and do an Evil Coach Troy DVD (I like the Clydesdale one), that will ramp up your fitness and you'll want to ride again.

I had a lousy 2 months of little to no riding. I finally got in 2 20+ mile rides and it got me motivated all over again--especially when I was huffing and puffing for being off the bike so long. Ack!

[CyclChyk]

GLC - I may have been away for a bit, but if I remember right, you are a damned good rider and dedicated when you put your mind to it.

You don't need to be told what to do - you KNOW what to do! You just need to be reminded how good you are. So get out there girl! Inspire me! you have it in you; you just gotta remember where it is. You can do it - just DO it!

[Tri Girl]

GLC - ...if I remember right, you are a damned good rider and dedicated when you put your mind to it.
You can do it - just DO it!

Yeah, what she said.


I won't commute anymore because of the darkness and cold, but this winter I'm vowing to do something different. I put my bike on the trainer and it's going to stay there and get used all winter (unlike the last 2 winters where I rode my bike about 2 times a month).
So far I've ridden my trainer every night for a week. Only 30 min. each time, but 30 min. a day is more than I've ever done in the winter. I watch tv and throw in intervals during the commercials. 30 min. is about all I can handle on the trainer before parts start really complaining, but it's a start. Maybe if you did that then when the days get longer you'll be raring to go outside for your commute.

Don't worry- winter blahs are normal. And you've got one heck of a commute there- even with the 8 mile drive to knock some of it off. When it lightens up I know you'll be out there again like you were. Don't be hard on yourself.

[Biciclista]

Motivation really has to come from inside of you.
What motivates me to ride is when I get to work and see how nice a day it's going to be... and I drove. So the next day it's nice i get on my bike.
Other motivators: ice on my windshield, waistline, other people on THEIR bikes.
Why don't you list what DOES motivate you and let that get you going?

[GLC1968]

Thanks you guys. Your comments truly help!

Admittedly, I'd rather ride in the cold and dark (and rain) then get on a trainer. I've tried - and I really hate it. I will do step aerobics videos or run on the treadmill for cardio before I'll suffer on the trainer.

I made a commitment to a few other women I know in terms of fitness, and knowing that I have to report to them helped me get out on the bike in the rain today. Let's hope it works for the commute, too!

I do like the idea of listing out all the good reasons to ride. Thanks, Mimi!

[tjf9]

Can you try a hybrid commute on the days that aren't too bad? Is there a halfway point you can stash your car and ride the rest of the way? Are you flexible enough to be able to make a game time decision? If so, maybe decide to ride if the temp is above a certain threshold. Then there's no "do I or don't I?

I am lucky to only have a 4 mile commute. My rule in the winter is that I ride if it is at least 35 and I don't ride if it is less than 30 (because that generally means ice in these parts). Between 30 and 35 depends on how wet and/or icy it is. But at least if it is 35, I'm on the bike.

Good luck!