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At the moment I am struggling to find the motivation to get back out on the bike. Its really annoying, its akin to writers block, knowing that you want to be out there, but just cant seem to just get off my ar$e and get on with it! Well overworked at the moment, which could be playing a part in it all...no idea. Any tips? Anybody in the same place at the moment? Its been about 3 months now and I am noticing the difference in myself, feel sluggish and generally out of shape. Also I have been trying to quit smoking to no avail which is also bringing me down. Need Motivation!!!
I'm looking out the window and seeing a wonderful early spring day. Just clean up the bike and take a short spin somewhere scenic, nothing too taxing.
Make a plan. Say you are going out at a particular time/day, easier to stick to than just thinking to yourself that you'll go out at some point. Better yet organise a ride with a mate or two, much harder to get out of.
Give me your bike and remove a n ever present source of guilt from your life 🙂
Go for a ride and really hammer it up a couple of hills. You'll then see your motivation for giving up the smoking, and every ride will get easier from there on.
Ride down to the shop for some fags, simple.
haha cheers for the replies guys...will check that video out when I get back from work. No excuse is there really?
Just get everything ready.
Bring the bike into the house.
Have the tyres pumped and everything ship shape.
get you riding kit out.
Drape it over the frame.
Shoes and helmet next to it.
Fill your bottles or Camelbak in advance.
Get home go out.
From the 'Science of Rockets' 😉
And don't use this forum or reading bike mags as a substitute for actual riding.
Don't make a plan. Screw everyone else, just go ride your bike immediately. This is you mental well-being we're talking about. It matters!
Things are turning a lot greener out there, the dryish days have meant terrain's been ok and the temperature is spot on for not getting sweaty (in the woods anyway, not sure about more exposed stuff).
Some people have an issue about achieving or breaking targets all the time, make sure the only thing to achieve is having fun. If that is 30 minutes or 30 miles it doesn't matter!
I've been the same recently due to work commitments and moving into a new house with the other half.
Now I decided that while she went to do a couple of Hairdresser duties I'd go exploring the local area for new Trails to ride and found a lovely little hidden gem (to me anyway) locally and had a great little blast.
Went out Early evening and you could smell the spring in the Air and it didn't start to get dark till 1820 and it was great. I try to get out for at least an hour when I'm off work and not doing my man jobs for the missus.
Have a look on Google, find something near you that you want to suss out or try a new Trail centre or Moorland you quite like the look of.
I'm lucky in that I'm allowed to ride on Loweys land and other local delights.
OP. Know what you mean. However don't put too much pressure on yerself. Take 15mins to get kit and bike ready and then just head out. Just go for a pootle - you know you'll come back smiling.
Went out for a couple hours on my my bike at the weekend - first time in about 2 months. Came home in a much better frame of mind - esp useful if feeling pressure from work.
make a commitment, then you don't need to be motivated
HTH
Just go out for a couple of hours - I went out earlier with my dog, nothing hard and less than 15 miles. Almost felt like spring.
I tend to force myself out when I'm feeling like I can't be bothered. When I'm out, I'm as happy as larry (assuming he's happy of course) but sometimes it's a drag. Like others say, I often plan a ride then do it come rain or shine. I rode Saturday on the road bike despite drizzle when I left home (turned into sun before I got back tho) and despite the sun forecast for Sunday.
Once you're back on the saddle, you'll notice the motivation increase.
Got anyone you could ride with? If you set up a date and time with them, you're more likely to go out, as then it becomes a social engagement as well as a ride.
Once out, praps you'll get the bug again.
Sounds like you need to have a word with your inner chimp.
Been in the same situation myself. I know if I go for a ride it will do me the world of good but just getting on the bike can be a massive hurdle that needs to be overcome.
Lately I've adopted the approach of telling myself I'll just go out for 15 mins, if I'm not enjoying it I'll turn round and go back and at least I'll have been out for 30 mins - better then not going out at all. That 15 mins is usually okay so you tell yourself you'll see how you feel after 30. 30 mins then turns into 45, which turns into an hour before you know you've been out for a couple of hours and feel loads better for it.