Really struggling for motivation this year. Done the grand total of 50 miles since the start of the year. Flu from 26th December till 7th January completely floored me. Got out for a few local rides round along the canal. February busy with work and then straight into Edinburgh trip for a week for Mums wedding followed swiftly by catching covid Mk3 (we still have to isolate for 5 days in the NHS) so managed one ride.
This week I’ve been off since Monday and catching up with a boat load of washing from Edinburgh trip and general washing and household chores. So today I thought I’ll get out. Got maybe five miles and thought stuff this I’m freezing.
Base layer, long sleeve jersey, winter fleece, plus waterproof coat, thermal bib tights plus bike trousers plus water proof pants, three pairs of socks a hate and balaclava and still felt freezing, bitter easterly wind, and started snowing.
No enjoyment in the slightest.
I’m not a massive milage maybe 40-50 miles a month max. But I’m way off target for this year.
I mainly stick to local rides as I don’t own a car but hoping to get one this year after 19 years of commuting by motorbike.
So that should open up opportunities.
Should I be worried or just chill and start getting out more when Spring finally arrives. Rain doesn’t bother me, but can’t stand the cold or wind. 15-40 Celsius happy temperatures.
Well this week isn't a great one for getting out if you're not a fan of the cold. I'm girding myself to go out for a gentle run.
If you're not feeling it, there's no point flogging yourself, it's not like it's your job or anything. It's supposed to be fun, and it probably will be again when it warms up a bit. Last summer was epic, here at least.
I know how you feel the last time i was properly out on my bike was the 31st of August. Since then two rounds of covid one of which i was off work for 3 months and a sprinkling of other shite means I have a new Aeris9 that I did a grand total of 4k around the town with to make sure the brakes stopped me and the bouncy bits bounced. I'm hoping to get out when I get back from work in a weeks time but who knows. Like @thecaptain says though its a hobby not a job but it is starting to get to me a bit, even going out for a long walk to the shop doesn't quite cut it but it's better than nothing.
Last summer was Epic, factor 2 oil, plenty of water and 39 Celsius absolutely loved it. The thing with the cold is my ears hurt after an hour even with a hat on. Anything above 10 Celsius they are ok with the hat. I do walk at least 2.5 miles a day that’s just walking around the ward for 12 hours at work. Sometimes it’s 4 miles a shift 3/4 nights a week.
I just feel a bit lazy when im not getting out. But as said, it’s supposed to be fun not a chore.
There’s one sure fire way of demotivating yourself and that is riding when you don’t have to. It should be fun, not a chore.
I commuted by bike for years, towards the end of that I hated riding. Especially in the cold and wet.
It’s snowing here a I’m itching to go out in the crisp white snow. Unfortunately it’s the wet, slushy, soggy kind of snow that’s just horrible to ride in.
Do something else when you feel like this. The motivation will return when it’s ready.
Been the same motivation-wise this year, carries on the tailing off that happened after the summer last year. Normally I love the autumn and spring, getting out whenever I can on the bike but life changes have completely destroyed my drive to get out there. I used to ride to work every day (4 day week) and would get out on the trails at least once in my days off but usually twice. Never got bored, loved pedalling away in all weathers and my life basically revolved around where I was riding next. If I didn't ride a bike for more than 3 days I would get angsty and irritable!
Post-pandemic has brought in a change of job so no 4 day week and no cycling to work, that's put a lot of pressure on my free time on weekends meaning I'm now lucky to get the time or motivation for 3 rides a month! The main worry is that riding has always been my "Happy Place" where I think things through, clear negative thoughts and generally relieve the stresses of life. Without my regular riding I'm definitely more uptight which means I struggle with the motivation to get out the door (just about manage to do a Zwift ride once or twice a week). Add in the extra hobbies I picked up over the lockdowns and I've gone from being freetime rich and focussed on one hobby to time poor and multiple hobbies vying for my attention. This just leads to me procrastinating about what to do when I do have some time free and I end up doing nothing.
If anyone has any solutions I'll be all ears.
I was going to write a long response but couldn't be arsed.
Watch a repeat of a Eurovision song contest. That should be enough to inspire anyone to get out the house for a few hours
Focus on getting a car while the weather is rubbish.
Get one in the next week or so, then plan to go somewhere exciting in it with your bike.
No point riding at the moment, its cold wet and horrible.
Got a turbo?
Got a Zwift sub that you've not used much recently?
Check emails for an extended 30 day free trial and if nothing else, join the Tour Of Watopia massive field group rides that started a few days ago, they run every hour on the hour, very popular at ~1700 GMT. Can even late join up to 30mins past offical pen start. Bound to be plenty of others doing the sort of pace you fancy doing, some smash it, some treat them as z1 pootles and plenty inbetween.
https://zwiftpower.com/events.php?zid=3552535
In autumn/winter '17 I often went out and did small focussed hill reps loops, various approx 150-200 foot routes up Midanbury hill, including Dell Rd that hits ~20%. Often diverted on way home from work to climb at least two options. Then got a turbo and besides commutes, I'll rarely go out in cold/wet weather, I'll turbo instead.
I'm always more likely to go out if I've arranged to go out with someone else.
I wouldnt be fussed.
I dont tend to get outside much during the winter. If its wet and cold and the trails are just a mudfest it takes all the fun out of it. If it gets properly cold and freezes I will head out or alternatively if its warmish but still crap ground conditions will use the roadbike.
Otherwise though its indoors (spin for me rather than zwift etc) to try and keep the fitness up enough so I can enjoy myself once the conditions improve.
I did go out today but for rather less than originally planned and it was pretty nasty. Think still less than double figures outside this year.
There's always a thread about this at this time of year. It's natural, it'll pass as soon as you get a nice spring day and feel the warmth of the sun competing with your peak to hit your face.
Not sure you are lacking motivation, you've been busy and ill! I've struggled to get out much as I hate riding in wind but as others have said, no point in going out when you know you won't enjoy it.
Have you tried some other exercise to keep you ticking over? I've been hitting the (indoor) gym classes and doing a 5K run at least once a week as that keeps me in reasonable condition and don't take up too much time. Save the fun stuff until you can properly enjoy it!
There’s always a thread about this at this time of year. It’s natural, it’ll pass as soon as you get a nice spring day and feel the warmth of the sun competing with your peak to hit your face.
This and riding with others helps immeasurably when it's cold, dark and wet.
Oknly other exercise ive been doing is hitting the heated driving range and blasting some balls and i walk to the shop daily 1.5 mile instead of jumping in the car.
Seem to suffer after christmas with lack of energy and feeling down with the usual winter SAD then as soon as clocks go forward, its like my body switches on.
Do ride with mates but thats usually once a month in summer.
Will probably be more when i get a car. Cant keep asking him pick me up all the time even though he's loaded.
If you're on your own and don't fancy it cos of the weather then don't worry about it. As others have said, it's supposed to be fun.
Once the weather improves, just head out for easy spins until your mojo kicks back in.
Aim to do fun stuff rather than just miles.
If you can find a friend or club to ride with, thats a huge motivational factor.
