Trying to get back on the bike...

[milkbone]

I've had to take, oh, almost the past year off...mostly medical reasons. Gained about 10 lbs or so in the process.

Any hints to get motivated and get back. I'm frustrated - I know where I once was, and I am so far away from that now lol.

Thanks!

[Owlie]

I wish I could help. Has your motivation run off with mine?

Take a short, no-pressure ride. Don't try to accomplish anything. Just ride.

[smilingcat]

It's okay to think of where you were last year. If anything just make a mental image of where you want to be. Just remember that you will get there and it isn't going to happen overnight. Go ride a shorter distance and work your way back up like the first time you started to ride. Unlike the first time, you will "improve" much faster. Each week lengthen your ride and or your speed.

Try not to think in terms of dread but rather think in terms of I'm getting closer to where I used to be. And enjoy your ride instead of I have to work out to get there.

keep a positive outlook to your ride

[Pedal Wench]

leave the bike computer at home

[MomOnBike]

Take the bike out for a no-pressure ride to, say, lunch with friends. A non-bike goal and companionship is a great way to ease back into things.

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi milkbone

What a lot of sensible and thoughtful answers.

Fully empathise with you, am in a similar situation and because I cannot ride until the end of next month, I have just bought a cheapy exercise bike, maybe you could start of with one of those?

When you do go out, just enjoy and let us know how you get on.

Clock

[milkbone]

Yes I love that suggestion! Thank you! I am so addicted to my computer when I ride..thank you for all the suggestions, going to head out on my next day off (Wed) and let you know how it goes.

Going to try to get my mojo back by remembering why I love cycling in the first place. No computers, no distance, no set speed.

Thank you again for the encouragement.

[DarcyInOregon]

Milkbone, I don't get why you would want to leave your bike computer off the bike if you are recovering from an illness. You need to track your improvement, and your first day back on will show you how much fitness you lost, and then you can watch the improvement over the weeks. It doesn't matter that you lost fitness because it is to be expected.

Last November I was knocked sideways off my bike by a side gust, was unconscious for 90 minutes, and spent the weekend in the trauma center with a fractured rib cage, a punctured deflated lung, and a severe concussion. On January 1 I was back on my bike. Sure the computer numbers were quirky, but then I was laboring with a right lung that wasn't totally healed and hurt with the mending bones. It was pure delight to watch my progress via the bike data and in only two months I was able to go up a 13% grade with my lung inflating and oxygenating my blood normally. It is FUN to regain fitness, not some big nasty chore.

This forum has a lot of negativity regarding bike computers, but it doesn't mean the advice has to make any sense for you. It makes sense for others for whatever reasons, but gosh, if you are recovering from a medical condition, the bike computer is a plus, not a negative. If you want to watch your physical improvement, and to know exactly how bad it is on the first day, then use the bike computer. Using a bike computer doesn't mean you don't ride. It merely provides the data to show how you are doing on any given ride, and you can track the data over time if you desire, or not if you don't desire.

[sundial]

I've had to take, oh, almost the past year off...mostly medical reasons.

Hi Milkbone, it's good to hear you are wanting to get back in the saddle.

A few tricks that helped me get motivated to ride was to find a bike that makes me want to enjoy a slower pace.....putting my Garmin in my back pocket.....discovering the joys of back country roads....planning a route that includes a little diner....calling a friend who likes slow rides. Hope you are feeling better by the day and that you'll soon enjoy those long leisurely rides.