I think that goes for 90% of us, maybe more : ) But are you any good at having fun while riding? I don't see any other motivating factor that's sustainable (or even geniunely healthy??) for the 90% of us who aren't naturally talended in some way.
In the last couple of years I've been though a lengthy period of self-examination. this was brought on by the work-induced deferral of so much of the usual thinking we all do about our lives - I worked incredibly long hours, and put too much of me on hold.
One of the things I realised about me was that I am both competitive and lazy. Not a good mix for sports where self motivation is required. And, frankly, I didn't have the time to train because I was always at work.
But I'd still be naffed off that my mates were getting faster, doing some racing, and generally being better than me.
Then I became a parent (last year) and my only riding was commuting (170 miles p/w). I started to get fitter and conceived that I could have attained some goals. That was until I spent 4 months at the start of this year with various illnesses (full on flu twice) and six months off the bike.
Most of all, I just enjoyed riding a bike. Every time i swung a leg across one, even though it was only riding to and from work.
There's nothing wrong with having a crack at racing or training towards a goal, doing something you once thought was beyond you has to be one of the best opportunities in riding.
I've raced as much of the cross season as I've been able to this year. I habitually finish in the bottom 20%. So what. I enjoy it.
I now have ambitions for next season - to finish around half way in each race. I also want to race my MTB - sure, I won't be much good, but I've got myself to where I need to be to enjoy something competitive, without having to become obsessed.
