How to get out of the rut

Find a wood and train the dog to run while you ride. It worked well with out springer

i have nothing beneficial to add i just wish you well in overcoming your rut (i have similar issues with no motivation and not riding for long periods) so i can def relate. good luck to you overcoming it 🙂

I’ve been in a rut of not riding for a couple of years (bereavement, stress, other things) but I’ve found other things I enjoy. I no longer have the need , or the feeling of obligation to ride every weekend, and it’s not all bad. However the main theory me was sorting out the rut causes not just getting back on the bike.

Have you been offered or advised to do anything with regard to your low B12?  That will make you feel rubbish.

really low B12

I would look into this ^^

https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/b12-and-depression#connection

They found substantial evidence that a decrease in the vitamin B-12 serum correlates with an increase in depression. 

I broke a rib so riding is off for a bit.

I shouldn't be for very long, I can't remember exactly but I don't think I was off my bike for much more than a few days with a broken rib.

First get any physical stuff sorted.  Low b12 may need further investigation and I would suggest taking vit d.  It literally changed my life.

On the mental side I have been following 2 principles.   Say yes to everything.   You can still change you mind and say no but you must have a reason.   Just make your first response to any idea yes.   Also eff it just do it.

Following those two things has got me out of the house and doing stuff I never thought I would do. 

Finally maybe counselling?   I found it very valuable.   Sounds like you wouldn't need a lot but it might help you reset your thinking

Good luck

Found out I was very low vit D after breaking my pelvis. Paid for a private test as our local NHS doesn't test. Ordered some Nutrition Geeks Vit D 4000 iu dose - £10 for a years supply. Feeling much less tired although the pelvic recovery has taken it out of me, I'm back riding after 4 months.

Despite the hospital asking my GP to do tests, the GP has done nothing. They have had a complaint but the practice manager doesn't give a hoot (other issues too around not allowing me to see a GP when I suspected I had a broken pelvis which was originally missed by A&E).

Vit D is quite a key vitamin and most of us are low in it due to low sun exposure. I was 17nmol, when recommended is 50 to 200, so ideally need to be 100 plus somewhere in the middle.

Broken ribs. Was off bike a couple of weeks tops, but was road riding and couldn't get out of the saddle. So don't let it stop you, take it easy.

Broken ribs kept me off the bike and poor sleep for 6 weeks so just ride when you're ready. Riding really isn't very important and it can drag you down just as quickly as lifting your spirits.

I would look into training the dog, it will be fine with others with correct training

Being a mtb'er, maybe this will make some sense for your situation... Flat trails can be okay, but generally we all like the ups and downs of a good trail, that nasty rut in the wrong place can have you off or spoil the flow but it also keeps you on your toes, keeps the trail interesting, challenging your skills,, they can become part of your favourite section slowly evolving into a little kicker/drop/techy turn

It's the Ying and Yang of being a rider, Life really isn't any different🚴🚴

When off the bike for a bit, for whatever reason, i find that the idea of riding again becomes tied in with excess effort and thus is off putting. So my tip would be to start very very slowly and just go out for a light peddle about. Zero pressure or expectations. I suspect you'll start to feel different and more positive after 10 mins. 

If being "not fit" is putting you off riding then try running/power walking to see if that helps build fitness. As it's less faff than biking (prepping, cleaning and so on) you might find it easier to just get out for a bit. Doggo can come with you too.

Another idea would be to hook up with some riding buddies - this might involve a club. I find that agreeing to go ride with someone means I'm less likely to let the opportunity pass by. 

At a slightly more committed/extreme level, after my daughter was born I lost my mojo a bit and then volunteered to be a park ranger locally. That commitment was enough to stir up my interest again.

Posted by: shortyj15

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I'm tired all the time and I don't feel like doing anything productive or enjoying anything. I had some blood results back with really low B12. My diet is ok but could be better, something I need to look at.

I'd sort the B12 out and see where you end up as a baseline. Bear in mind that UK standards for adequate B12 are actually considerably lower than in many other countries and B12 doesn't absorb well in tablet form. Ideally you want to use injectable B12 or, if you can't access that, an oral spray is better absorbed than tablet. B12 deficiency symptoms include a shedload of stuff including anxiety and tiredness, so sorting that may put you in a much better position. 

And yeah, maybe take the pup biking 🙂 

He's full on and takes a lot of time but I love him and wouldn't have it any other way. The only problem is he's a one man dog so leaving him with family causes a anxiety and stress as he can misbehave for them. 

Get this fixed too. Everyone will feel better (including the dog) if it knows its place in the family. Perhaps another member of the family taking him to behaviour classes?

When you're physically able to ride again, put it in your diary to just get out for an hour locally or whatever.

Treat it like work in your brain, something you HAVE to do.

Do that for a while, and you'll probably be back in the habit.

I'd also support the comments about dog training and getting advice about the B12 issue.

What Kilo said +1. Also I would say set a realistic target , my target is to enjoy the time I spend riding  so  not everything is technically difficult or physically very demanding . I get the buzz of going downhill fast on easy trails or spending time in really beautiful areas that I wouldn't get too without an mtb or e mtb. If  I'm smiling and doing minimal  damage then I'm doing it right

So today was a better day.

Blood results come back on the NHS app and I've got an appointment with the doctor 22nd. It's looking like low Vitamin D,really low folic and then some liver function issues.

Managed to get an hour on the MTB tonight and it felt really good.

I just need the routine get back into shape a bit more.