Can't seem to get motivated

[samsbike]

I just cannot get myself excited about commuting again. I did commute (for the first time ever) last summer and managed to keep it going till Decemeber. I have not touched the bike since before christmas and while I do sometimes get excited about riding again, physically its just not happening.

I can't be bothered to do any short rides, due to the hassle in just getting ready. I guess it also has not helped having had to deal with a family illness and the on-going issues that is causing. Actually I would have thought some exercise would help, but again, its easier hitting the cookie jar!

Does anyone else feel this way and if so, how did you get over it?

 

[Moodyman]

Occasionally I get tired of commuting ie gotta cold or just fatigue. I just lay off for a few days and then the mojo comes back.

If you not commuted for a whole go for short weekend runs. It'll help with fitness recovery but also help clear the mind with other stuff.

 

[BSRU]

I always find once on the bike all I think about is cycling and what I am doing, everything else is temporarily forgotten about.
Even better to go out into the countryside on some back lanes with no real worries about traffic.

 

[Dayvo]

I haven't been on a bike since the end of September (end of work, winter and long holiday) but I am straining at the leash to get back on the bike.

I start work after Easter and won't have a warm commute/weekend riding until mid-late May, but can't wait for the exercise, freedom and mental relaxation from riding again.

Hope you find your motivation again soon.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I keep myself motivated by setting myself lots of little challenges. For example X miles to do Y miles for the day/week/month/YTD. This week I am aiming at commuting for a 15 hours as part of the Strava Giro Challenge.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I got a bit peeved with the bad weather, but my main problem is always getting out of bed in the morning but once on the bike I love it.
Last journey by car to work for me was March 2011. Never again ! its a waste of time, money, fitness, too much agro and stress, fear of being late for work, makes me fat, does not de stress me before and after work, in fact I still think that there are no advantages to going to work other than by bike. That is my motivation trying to find a reason why the car is better !

 

[Lee_M]

commuting is sometimes fun, sometimes hell
riding for fun is great,

of course that depends on where you commute (London), and if there are any parking spaces at your clients (nope)

I agree with BSRU though, once I'm on the bike I dont think of anything except cycling

 

[BrumJim]

You can't find it unless you go out looking for it.

Get out commuting again, accept that it will be a battle of wills, and you won't want to. Wait for a couple of weeks, and if you don't find your MoJo, start looking for it properly.

 

[samsbike]

I agree with all of the above and even know this. However, I cannot seem to translate that knowing into getting off my ass. I seem to have all the gear and no idea at the moment. Last year I was really mentally prepared I just don't seem to have that. I guess my commute is also relatively long (17 miles) and going up and down the Uxbridge road in London, unfit, wheezing is just not filling me with joy.

 

[MKat]

Buying a new bit of kit to try out, or finding a new route often works wonders for me!

 

[lejogger]

I was exactly the same at the start of this year. I'd allowed myself to put on a couple of pounds and lose some fitness during the end of 2012, so the first rides in Jan were a real struggle, and in the cold and wet it became the last thing I wanted to do. I went on a club run and despite having the dreaded man-flu it was the first time that I ever been dropped from the main group. Although I recovered it to make sure I wasn't the last back to the cafe, I vowed I wouldn't let myself get that out of shape again.

Last month however as well as the club run kick I became motivated in a few different ways. Firstly I gave my bike a bloody good strip down, clean, lube and polish. Seeing it gleaming and with a lovely smooth drivetrain gave me a a bit of gusto to get out. I also started varying my commute. Travelling on different roads, seeing different cars and a few different cyclists made a nice change. I also picked a flatter route so I didn't have that dread of the big climbs approaching that can seem so unpleasant at 7:30am in the cold. The main advantage of this route change was that it also gave me a whole new selection of strava segments to have a bash at. Got myself a number of PRs over the week that gave me real positive feedback that my fitness was improving day by day.

I also commuted home last week on one night without needing my wooly hat on! that was another bonus - the weather is getting better and soon we'll hopefully have some lovely spring mornings to enjoy.

The final motivator was looking back at how much I'd spent on fuel getting to work and back over the past couple of months. I put £260 worth into the car in one month alone. That's obscene.

9 times out of 10, it's the actual getting out of bed and out of the garage that's the biggest hurdle to climb. Once you're actually out on the road you remember exactly why you started riding to work in the first place. Maybe invest in something new for the bike to give you a nudge to get out on it... it doesn't have to cost a lot but can make a big difference i.e new bar tape. It doesn't take long for your legs to get back in the swing of things and you'll get yourself nice and fit before the good weather comes.

 

[Andrew_P]

. I guess my commute is also relatively long (17 miles) and going up and down the Uxbridge road in London, unfit, wheezing is just not filling me with joy.

The trick I found was not to stop it in the first place, my commute is 14.8 miles I started it the first time in August 2010 and one way only by the October it was ok not too painful and wheezy but it hurt getting to that point.

Due to bad prep and clothing I stopped in November 2010. Came back to it in March/April 2011 and it was so painful again just as bad as the first time, and I knew it would take a 6 -8 weeks until the it eased off, I told myself then there is no way I am going to stop doing it again.

That is what drives to keep at it never wanting to go through the mental and phyical pain barriers again, that and now it is just habit it barely ever crosses my mind to take the car. Getting through the winter is all about being prepared.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I still have that great feeling of getting to work knowing that I did it under my own effort. Nothing has ever replaced that feeling, I still get it after 2,000 miles

 

[BSRU]

From another thread you started.
Why are you considering spending over a grand on a Croix De Fer when you are not motivated to ride the bike you have now?

 

[jamin100]

Like others i find getting uo and getting out on the bike the worst.
Then, when I'm at work I don't want to cycle home, but have no choice so its tough then..

Ive got a little challenge going with a friend so that helps a bit too especially when he's fitter and goes further than me anyway