molgrips

It’s just that we constantly get this message that it’s not about the bike….

I agree. When you look at the comparison between a rigid hardtail and a modern full susser, and it’s clearly definitely about the bike.

Whatever you’re using, the trails you ride most the time eventually become a bit ho-hum. If you can’t change your trail, then to make it more interesting, your options come down to go even faster or make it more difficult.

You can do that with your choice of bike.

I have always regarded the sensation of speed as a relative thing – hammering downhill, vision blurred, on a rigid hardtail feels fast, even though it isn’t when compared to the full sussers cruising by. But that’s why I prefer to ride the wrong bike – for me it makes the track more fun. It’s amazing how a good suspension bike just eats what previously looked like a much more technical section.

I’d better shut up now, I’ll end up convincing myself that suspension is a good thing, and that’s a slippery slope to derailleurs, dropper posts, etc… 🙂

Buying a new fangled gravel bike has seen me ride lots more locally. Good for mix of road, parks, easy trails go much further faster. Tried bikepacking trip, now planning bit of cycle touring another bikepacking trip. Bit of variety keeps my interest going.

Finding the time is biggest issue at the moment. By the time the days chores are done I’m too cream crackered to dig the bike out. Weekends are gone in a flash. I’ve charged my lights though, in readiness for an evening bimble.

Lost my mojo for riding this year and haven’t swung a leg over any of my bikes since Feb.

Many and varied reasons why, but ultimately other priorities have taken over.

The main thing that I’ve come to realise is don’t force it, if i haven’t fancied going out then no amount of shiny shiny (new frame in the garage since Jan this year not built up) or planning or socialising has made any difference and I’ve almost resented it (time wasted doing something else etc).

I can feel the itch coming, searching for bargain components to build the new bike up, cleaned and serviced the other bikes, scoping out new local trails when walking the dog – it all adds up.

If you’ve lost the bug, find something else to occupy your time, if the itch comes back then scratch it!

I’ve come to think of the choices a bit like this:

Road/Gravel <<< MTB >>> Trials/BMX

Where MTB is the starting point where interest is waining.

hammering downhill, vision blurred, on a rigid hardtail feels fast, even though it isn’t

Not so much for me. I look ahead and notice the lines that I could be taking on a bigger bike, and I see what I am missing.

There are some descents where the line choice is so different and you have to zig zag between more stuff on a rigid bike, which does give you a speed related challenge. I mean I like the rigid bike, it’s probably my favourite, but riding the big bike is not simply the same but quicker. It’s a completely different activity. And fortunately not exclusive. In the same way that XC skiing is not just DH skiing slower.

I don’t want to ride my bike at the moment (last 6 weeks or so), which annoys me more than not riding my bike, if that makes sense! I really want to want to ride, but can’t motivate myself, there’ve been a few beautiful days where mrs njee20 has said “why not go for a ride”, and I just don’t want to. It’s happened the last few years about this time, driven by the fact I’m nowhere near as fit as I once was, and it seems unlikely I’ll get back there for years, if at all. I don’t race any more, partly because it took up too much time, partly because I was rubbish, partly because I didn’t enjoy it any more.

I don’t visit here as much now, I find I don’t know as much about what’s current in bikes, certainly can’t reel off Shimano part numbers and compatibility like I used to!

I’m kind of ok with it. It’s a bit shit. I’d love to still be really fit, but I’m not, but I’ve got other hobbies and a family and a job that pays me more money (with a shit commute). Meh, the bikes aren’t going anywhere, the enthusiasm will come back!

Popped Komoot on my phone and have found out that some folk have kindly built some trails and features in a local wood near me – never knew they were there – less than a mile from my home – looks a good little practice area. Also going out with others locally, I’ve found tracks I never knew were there – so much on my doorstep.

I don’t want to ride my bike at the moment (last 6 weeks or so), which annoys me more than not riding my bike, if that makes sense! I really want to want to ride, but can’t motivate myself,

Makes complete sense to me njee. I’m in exactly the same place just now and have tons of time to ride and every bike under the sun available to me.

It’s happened the last few years about this time, driven by the fact I’m nowhere near as fit as I once was, and it seems unlikely I’ll get back there for years, if at all. I don’t race any more, partly because it took up too much time, partly because I was rubbish, partly because I didn’t enjoy it any more.

I suggested to you years back you slam your saddle and just go for a play on your bike more. We argued all the time on here about meaningless shit but in reality we’re not all that different. I still ride a bike at some point pretty much every day. Lack of motivation means I just CBA going anywhere at the moment but I’d still rather take a bike to the local shop/pub/school to collect my youngest etc. than drive. The second I get on any bike I can’t resist pissing about. Fitness doesn’t really matter. And it definitely lifts my mood. Occasionally I’ll find myself taking a detour through the woods and pinning it in jeans and no lid. bikes are awesome. Your enthusiasm for riding will hopefully return. Don’t stress it. Let your hair down a bit now you’re not a slave to trainng.

I think that’s sound advice, geex – I’ll try and put some of that into practice, having pretty much lost my mojo in spite of having some great technical stuff right on my doorstep.

Messing about on bikes is fun. I put flats on the Patriot and sticky tyres, it’s slow as hell. So I trundle around the local woods up to the top of the hill where all the cheeky homemade descents are then hurtle down them nice and quickly. Great fun and close to how I started riding all those years ago. Just messing about.

The second I get on any bike I can’t resist pissing about…. Let your hair down a bit now you’re not a slave to trainng.

In the spirit of not taking things seriously, Sam Pilgrim & Tom Cardy on kids mountain bikes:

Mrs g-d told me to make sure I went for a ride tonight as not ridden much this year and I was um-ing and ah-ing about whether I should go after a late night last night.

Right move mrs gd I love mountain biking and the brilliant people I get to ride with.

Now feeling motivated again…

sirromj

In the spirit of not taking things seriously…

Brilliant. 🙂

I found that I was starting to feel like every ride had to be a ‘big ride’ to make it worth doing, either lots of miles or heading off to Surrey Hills to hit ‘proper’ trails. It was starting to de-motivate me, I think it was a bit of a comedown from a week in the Alps this summer followed by illness which kept me off the bike for about 8 weeks.

I started just going out the odd evening/weekend for an hour in the local woods instead and it got me really enthusiastic again, and I had a really enjoyable ride at QECP two weeks ago with my brother which involved a single lap of the Blue/Red diversion combo of 6 miles and then off to a local pop-up cafe to eat cake and homemade Scotch Eggs. I’m starting to embrace just getting out and about, which is what got me into riding in the first place.

I agree, multiple bikes help to keep one motivated. Got nothing to do with the N+1 marketing or any other daft shite that people on soapboxes shouting “I only need one bike” ,like to spout on about either…

Also have more than one holiday a year as well,for no other reason than I just like holidays !  😉

I only think you really need 2 bikes: a longish travel enduro bike for the good stuff and a cross/gravel bike for the easy stuff/road. With those two I never really feel that I’ve got the wrong bike, although I would quite like a DJ bike for jumps/pump tracks, but it’s not really necessary.

JP

The fix the fun factor gives me keeps me keen and at it.I’m ‘hoping’ to get myself out this afternoon/eve for my first night ride of the season although todays work and the weather may thwart me.

You live in such a rich riding area Molgrips,that must indeed help keep you going,especially with so many of the locals into it too.