When to give it up..? « Singletrack Forum

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When to give it up..?

41 posts & 33 voices | Started 1 year ago by miaowing_kat | Latest reply from Elfinsafety

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miaowing_kat - Member

So, I don't seem to want to use my bike any more. My riding has petered out over course of the last year or so and at the moment I have no desire whatsoever to ride it

I've been on two coaching days this year and enjoyed them a lot, but because I haven't ridden often enough, I'm not really seeing that much in the way of benefit. When I have gone riding I have enjoyed it, but it's very limited and almost always by myself. This gets boring and takes away a lot of the fun.

There is a freeride/jumps event going on at Glentress on the 18th and it looks like it'd be great fun to try, but I can't help but think two things - one: is this just another coaching day because I can't be bothered to go out on my bike any other days, and two: I'm going to be on my own, again.

I'm wondering how long it is I keep not biking and feeling guilty before I need to reconsider over whether I'm just pretending and if I should be keeping the bike in the garage at all..
Do you just let it pass and completely ignore the bike until you feel like it again? What if it never comes back?

-
btw, I'm not looking for sympathy here. I hoped that other people have experienced similar situations and have either gone back to riding or given it up - or if anyone can give constructive advice on how to get the 'spark' back that would be welcome also

Posted 1 year ago #
simonfbarnes - Member

if I had to ride alone more than once every 3 or 4 years I'd give it up too! Find some buddies, or move to Lancaster

Posted 1 year ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

A bike in the garage, unused but ready, is better than no bike at all.

If you move to Lancaster, an elderly man will probably take copious amounts of photographs of your bottom.

This does not however seem to have a detrimental effect on the 'victims' of such attention, though.

Posted 1 year ago #
jedi - Member

it's your leisure time, if it doesn't make you smile then find something that does.

Posted 1 year ago #
simonfbarnes - Member

If you move to Lancaster, an elderly man will probably take copious amounts of photographs of your bottom.

doubtless, but in fact most women don't seem to mind

Posted 1 year ago #
nickc - Member

A bike in the garage, unused but ready, is better than no bike at all.

sage advice

Posted 1 year ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

I think it can also depend on your personal situation, ie what's going on in your life, is it just an added pressure to fit into a busy schedule?

Don't know if this will help but currently due to health issues, I can only ride short distances on gentle terrain. It's extremely frustrating but I rode today and got soaking wet. Still glad I went out though.

Do what feels right for you. If you don't want to ride then don't. It's not compulsory. Try walking. Fresh air is good.

Posted 1 year ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

Kat; seems like you're putting too much pressure on yourself to 'go biking'. TBH I don't do an awful lot of biking apart from just commuting, but I don't force myself to go for a ride. Sometimes I think I should get out more often, but unless I'm properly motivated, I won't really enjoy it. It just becomes a chore.

Where are you? I'm sure there are likeminded folk up near you, who'd be happy to meet up for rides. Riding solo can be enjoyable too; peace, solitude, go at your own pace.

What if it never comes back?

It'll come back. Just don't force it.

Posted 1 year ago #
Kuco - Member

it's your leisure time, if it doesn't make you smile then find something that does.

Couldn't agree more it's called leisure time for a reason and if you're not happy why do it. Keep the bike in the garage for when the urge to ride comes back.

Posted 1 year ago #
druidh - Member

Lots of good advice already given. I've been going through a no-riding (other than commuting) phase too and had a couple of miserable MTB rides when my head really wasn't with it.

Arranging to go riding with other folk will give you some incentive to get out and the chat will make the whole thing more pleasurable.

If you can, how about Wednesday evenings, Edinburgh.

Posted 1 year ago #
Marin_Maketh_The_Man - Member

+1 Just join a club, any club (but maybe not Leisure Lakes Grumpy Tribe)

Posted 1 year ago #
spw3 - Member

Stop biking now. You don't like it. Do something else instead. Leave your bike in the garage and forget all about it. In about 5 years events will conspire to start you riding again. And it will be like you have never been away.

Trust me, I know whereof I speak.

Posted 1 year ago #
miaowing_kat - Member

I put pressure on myself to go out biking because the most enjoyment I get out of biking is feeling myself progress. Yes, I enjoy the actual experience and the company, but I have a history of placing high value on time spent doing an activity - therefore I must progress, learn, not waste it, etc.
If it take on a task or activity I want to meet a certain self-set standard, and at the moment i'm not there.

I have tried meeting up with different people. It has always been very pleasant but there has never been a proper connection, hence they tend to be one-offs. I used to have a boy who would drag me out, which is half the battle for me.

I think perhaps at this moment in time it is more important for me to be socially healthy and try let go of all this guilt I have (I hate seeing time and money spent for what seems to have been no real outcome). I intend on joining the uni hillwalking club this year, which I'm sure I'll enjoy - one of my close friends is signing up too, and I'l be finally taking advantage my close proximity to Scotland's wonderful hills

druidh - thanks for the offer, but I've been warned off by Kit (Another problem I have is that everyone is much better than I am!)

Posted 1 year ago #
samuri - Member

Find something else to do, but keep the bike. You'll most likely fall back into wanting to ride again. I'm the same with mountain biking, my desire to do it comes and goes, quite high at the moment but I suspect in a month or so I'll lose interest and start riding just road again for a while.

Jedi sings sage advice, if what you do in your spare time isn't making you smile, change it for something that does.

Posted 1 year ago #
Elfinsafety - Member

I have a history of placing high value on time spent doing an activity - therefore I must progress, learn, not waste it, etc.

See I think the problem is right there. Why not just go for a ride and not worry about 'progressing'? You don't have to progress on every single ride. Sometimes it's ok to just bimble along and be ordinary.

As for "everyone is much better than I am!", so what? Maybe they've just been doing it for longer. To me, the social aspect of group rides is the most important thing. I'm quite happy just to pootle along and have a laugh. If I want to push myself, I'll go in a smaller group or on my own. And the best way to improve is to ride with more experienced and technically skilled riders. I'm sure most folk will be only too happy to accommodate you and show you stuff. Pity you don't live down here, 'cos you could come out with us Soft Southern Shandy Drinkers. It's a right laugh.

Go out with Druidh, TJ, them lot. I'm sure they'll be happy to have you along. Give it a go. You've got nothing to lose, have you?

Don't be hard on yourself. It's about fun, remember!

Posted 1 year ago #
MrNutt - Member

Don't be so hard on yourself, technique, study, equipment and time are all great things to have but I'd suggest you focus on learning the most important thing of all, how to play! It's what makes all of the above not only worthwhile but fun, steve peat sums it up perfectly on seasons "....to me it's just playing in the woods, and that's how we train for world cups".

Now go and ride around in the street with a coke can sat on your back wheel, what ever your age. Embrace your inner idiot, work on that grin.

Posted 1 year ago #
NorthCountryBoy - Member

hi kat seems a shame to give up on biking as it sounds like you have had a fair go at it. That said perhaps your putting to high an expectation on what your going to get from it. You say you have a history of placing high value on time spent doing an activity - therefore I must progress, learn, not waste it, etc.
Does that mean after a bike ride you analize it to see if you gained enough from it?
For me I like to ride my bike. Thats it that simple. Sometimes I like to ride with freinds, sometimes alone. Sometimes I feel i ride well, sometimes like a fanny. Theres people I ride with who are better, faster, fitter than me. I still go out because I enjoy it. Makes me feel good before, during and after.
Perhaps you could go somewhere you know and enjoy to ride and not set your targets to high and just ride.
If you dont enjoy it now, keep the bike theres a good chance you will go back to it.

Posted 1 year ago #
miaowing_kat - Member

I've been out with people on social rides before - and guess what, I STILL held them back!

I've spent the last year bimbling along by myself. I have enjoyed it and I consciously try not to put pressure on myself to 'perform' to anything in particular. I do not analyse each ride and think about what I could have done better! But if at the end of the year I don't feel like I've progressed that makes me very downhearted.

I do like the idea of tagging along with some of the Edinburgh crowd (not wednesdays unfortunately because I live in Dundee), but it might have to be later on, out of the blue. Maybe, like people say, I will just suddenly fancy it.

Funnily enough MrNutt I did have a quick street spin on my msisle t'other day and I loved it - just practising balancing makes me smile. It does get to me that if I obviously enjoy something so simple about the bike why can't I get motivated to do anything bigger

Posted 1 year ago #
takisawa2 - Member

Roam or Seasons usually drags me out of my steaming pit.

Posted 1 year ago #
Northwind - Member

You can't force fun. I quit biking myself, in about 1996, other than for transport and never once missed it for the next 13 years, but one day I picked up the old bike and went for a quick ride round the block and it was like "Oh. That's what it was like!" and the next thing I knew I was deeper into it than ever before. It can come and go so just do what feels right.

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Just give it a break for a while but don't get rid of anything apart from maybe a bike you don't really need (if you have a few to spare). I was feeling guilty about not playing all my guitar stuff much (biking took over as my no.1 hobby) but it's just about evened out again now the weather's not as good - rainy days can be spent making music

Posted 1 year ago #
johni - Member

There are a number of factors to improving your riding. You've said you've been to coaching sessions, but I find there are two other important things that help me

1. Practice aka riding time
2. Riding with other people who are better than you

I've ridden on my own, but I much prefer a social ride with others no matter what their ability. In any group there is always someone who is better and someone with less ability. If you feel people don't want to ride with you because of your ability, find someone who does.

Don't pressure yourself to improve. Perhaps you need to just go and enjoy a ride rather than trying to "learn something" from it?

Posted 1 year ago #
still s8tannorm - Member

I've seen you ride so find it difficult to understand how you'd hold people back. Your Orange might not be the best 'all day epic bike' out there but when there's across and down to ride I can't see why you would have much trouble.

Remember there's lots of stuff within mountain biking that isn't as obvious / mainstream as the usual trail centres that we get fed ... sometimes a change is as good as a rest. Having a goal works for some people, an event, race, etc - something to aim for and work towards might help with motivation.

Most importantly, I think you're underestimating yourself ... you're much more capable than you think.

Stuart

Posted 1 year ago #
bassspine - Member

Fully agree that riding should be FUN.

Now go and ride around in the street with a coke can sat on your back wheel

how does that work? Doesn't it fall off when you move?

Posted 1 year ago #
Diane - Member

Sounds like you feel guilty when not riding and beat yourself up when you are! Take a chill pill don't ride unless you want to and take even the smallest improvement home with you. If you have a crap day on the bike mark it off as exactly that - we all have those.
If you ever want to hook up for a pootle i'm not a million miles away - e mail in profile

Posted 1 year ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

I do like the idea of tagging along with some of the Edinburgh crowd

Do so then. There has been a considerable variation of speed and skill levels but its a social ride - fast kids just have to wait for the slow ones and a few of us are distinctly slow.

Posted 1 year ago #
Matbike - Member

i think that it is so normal. i had moments that i didint want to ride, and it took me 5 months to cycling again. I started cycling with some friends, till i went alone again.

Posted 1 year ago #
Divagirl - Member

You've had some great advice here - I hope you don't give up but maybe just take a break for as long as it takes to get the urge back again. I've only just started biking and I'm crap - it's a bit disheartening and I feel like giving up - I had a bad fall 3 weeks ago which hasn't helped my confidence either. I have to ride alone most of the time but I've joined a couple of clubs and hope to get going on the some social rides - although that's bringing a whole new set of worries about being able to keep up etc. I'd go riding with you - I'm finding it very hard to find other females or anyone really, to ride with - it's a shame you're so far away.

Posted 1 year ago #
buzz-lightyear - Member

From what you've said, the social aspect seems an important part of your enjoyment. But you've been worrying about skills and ability. So would say turn this around by finding a nice regular social riding scene and just stop worrying about ability.

Or just clean and lube you bike, put it in the back of the shed. Then join that hillwalking club - it's a lot more sociable than riding, is very rewarding, and you're in the perfect location. It's not giving up biking, just a suspension of service.

Posted 1 year ago #
dirtygirlonabike - Member

Over the last couple of years, I've had phases where I don't want to mtb - the road bike or running have been much more appealing. It comes and goes for me. As said above, don't beat yourself up if you don't want to ride, and don't force yourself to ride if you don't want to - you will only end up hating it.

Perhaps taking a break and doing something else you enjoy might help? Lots of other outdoor sports to try.

I'm in edinburgh if you ever want some company...i've been out on the mtb about 5 times in a year so have zero skill, but am fit from running and riding.

Posted 1 year ago #
Midnighthour - Member

Main hobbies throughout my life, both as adult and child have been reading, cycling, photography.

Sometimes I don't do one or other of these for a few days. Sometimes its been 3 or 4 years of not engaging with some of them. I used to worry about loss of interest but I don't any more. I just keep the kit and when I am ready, start using it again. The 'worry' was more of an issue than the actual need to 'step away' for a bit. Sometimes, your brain just needs to use the time and space for a different or new interest.

At the moment, I have not biked with any real interest for over a year. Partly becasue a series of unhappy social events occurred which my brain relates to cycling, so attempts to recall if I go biking. I have also stopped biking to work due to the large number of bike thefts from our company and area and the disinterest our (pro cycling!) employer shows in this.

One of my bikes is 20+ years old, so it is used to my phases. I have a lot of happy memories with it and will have again. I would not dream of getting rid of it or any of the others.

Stop worrying. Do something new for a bit instead, until your brain is looking for its bikes again

Posted 1 year ago #
MrSalmon - Member

It's not like you have to register somewhere that you're an active biker though, or declare yourself SORN or whatever? So you've not been out for a while and don't feel like it. Just go and do something else for a while and go out again when you feel like it. I don't really see why you'd need to get rid of the bike (unless you really, really need the money!) or mark some sort of transition from 'mtn biker' to 'not a mtn biker'.

Posted 1 year ago #
epicyclo - Member

Perhaps if you stop thinking in terms of it being a challenge and simply ride it may help. Just regard the bike as a tool to get you out there.

One other thing, try riding a single speed. Reduces the ride to its simplest and it's not as hard as it's made out to be. You can give yourself challenges, or not. You also have the perfect excuse for walking the bike. It's more pleasant than grunting up a hill and you get to enjoy the scenery more.

Posted 1 year ago #
mogrim - Member

it's your leisure time, if it doesn't make you smile then find something that does.

+1 on that comment!

Personally I'd ignore the "take a chill pill" or "riding should be fun" comments, I get my smiles from the competitive part of riding - I want to get better, I want to beat my mates up and down the hills - and it sounds like you're similar. If you really want to keep bike riding try signing up for a race or two, they can really help you get motivated. But if you're not that worried, I'd forget riding for a while. Start running, swimming, something else.

Posted 1 year ago #
Iain Gillam - Member

miaowing_kat - Member
I put pressure on myself to go out biking because the most enjoyment I get out of biking is feeling myself progress. Yes, I enjoy the actual experience and the company, but I have a history of placing high value on time spent doing an activity - therefore I must progress, learn, not waste it, etc.
If it take on a task or activity I want to meet a certain self-set standard, and at the moment i'm not there.

Much like me, your hobby seams to be the feeling of achievemnent as oppose to the biking. Very similar to one of my "pastimes" I'm not as good as I want to be, my race results arn't as good as I think they should be. Done many coaching sessions and time would appear to be what I need to get better but being impatient means I find it hard to sit back and wait for it to happen. My solution was to try something else (xc racing, followed by road racing and multisport events.) My results are pleasing in these and I feel I am achieving what I want. So my advise would be keep on biking but try other stuff as well if nothing else you will enjoy the steep learning curve of a new sport, then by the time that is over you will want to be back biking again but you wont have lost any speed if you have kept it up all the time. Failing that I set goals and a done by date if you will after which I will stop the sport. It remains to be seen if I can stick to this though.

Iain

Posted 1 year ago #