Lost my love of cycling, how to get it back?

[JohnClimber]

'If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse'.

Like........ for everything in life not just cycling

 

[Irishrich]

Many thanks for all your comments, I have read and digested them all.
Today I got up not knowing whether I would go out on the bike or not. I said to myself just go out even for 10 minutes and if you don't fancy it come home. The weather was lovely this morning, very little wind and sunny so no excuse not to give it a try. The first few miles didn't feel great as my fitness has suffered recently but I said to myself don't set your mileage, just get to the next village and see where you want to go next. I took things at my own pace, passed and waved to many other cyclists this morning, even crossed paths with my cycle club and waved to them as they looked puzzled to see me on my own(This had been one of the few times in 2 years I hadn't been out with the club ride). As the time went on I could actually feel myself starting to smile because I was out for a leisurely cycle with no goals. I stayed out for 1 hour 20 minutes and covered about 22 miles. The distance and time was irrelevant for the first time in years to me but it still felt good to stay out for an hour after the first few miles felt so bad.

I think the reason for losing my enjoyment of cycling was the goal driven, competitive situation I had set myself and also that the cycle club had reinforced. One time I was out on my own and was having a terrible time in headwinds and rain and wanted to go home but I endured 50 miles on my own just to tell myself I had a worthwhile cycle. In future I will go home when it stops being enjoyable. I might even give the club a miss for a while to do my own thing at my own pace.

Lastly, we already have one child, a 5 year old girl who is so eager to learn and play that she exhausts me with her enthusiasm. I feel guilty leaving to go out on the bike for hours each weekend, even more so when the wife is expecting child number 2. I now realise that I can't be selfish in wanting to cycle as much and need to treat it as an enjoyable hobby when the opportunity arises.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Many thanks for all your comments, I have read and digested them all.
Today I got up not knowing whether I would go out on the bike or not. I said to myself just go out even for 10 minutes and if you don't fancy it come home. The weather was lovely this morning, very little wind and sunny so no excuse not to give it a try. The first few miles didn't feel great as my fitness has suffered recently but I said to myself don't set your mileage, just get to the next village and see where you want to go next. I took things at my own pace, passed and waved to many other cyclists this morning, even crossed paths with my cycle club and waved to them as they looked puzzled to see me on my own(This had been one of the few times in 2 years I hadn't been out with the club ride). As the time went on I could actually feel myself starting to smile because I was out for a leisurely cycle with no goals. I stayed out for 1 hour 20 minutes and covered about 22 miles. The distance and time was irrelevant for the first time in years to me but it still felt good to stay out for an hour after the first few miles felt so bad.

I think the reason for losing my enjoyment of cycling was the goal driven, competitive situation I had set myself and also that the cycle club had reinforced. One time I was out on my own and was having a terrible time in headwinds and rain and wanted to go home but I endured 50 miles on my own just to tell myself I had a worthwhile cycle. In future I will go home when it stops being enjoyable. I might even give the club a miss for a while to do my own thing at my own pace.

Lastly, we already have one child, a 5 year old girl who is so eager to learn and play that she exhausts me with her enthusiasm. I feel guilty leaving to go out on the bike for hours each weekend, even more so when the wife is expecting child number 2. I now realise that I can't be selfish in wanting to cycle as much and need to treat it as an enjoyable hobby when the opportunity arises.

Well done, just fit rides in where you can and enjoy.

 

[ColinJ]

Many thanks for all your comments, I have read and digested them all.
Today I got up not knowing whether I would go out on the bike or not. I said to myself just go out even for 10 minutes and if you don't fancy it come home. The weather was lovely this morning, very little wind and sunny so no excuse not to give it a try. The first few miles didn't feel great as my fitness has suffered recently but I said to myself don't set your mileage, just get to the next village and see where you want to go next. I took things at my own pace, passed and waved to many other cyclists this morning, even crossed paths with my cycle club and waved to them as they looked puzzled to see me on my own(This had been one of the few times in 2 years I hadn't been out with the club ride). As the time went on I could actually feel myself starting to smile because I was out for a leisurely cycle with no goals. I stayed out for 1 hour 20 minutes and covered about 22 miles. The distance and time was irrelevant for the first time in years to me but it still felt good to stay out for an hour after the first few miles felt so bad.

I think the reason for losing my enjoyment of cycling was the goal driven, competitive situation I had set myself and also that the cycle club had reinforced. One time I was out on my own and was having a terrible time in headwinds and rain and wanted to go home but I endured 50 miles on my own just to tell myself I had a worthwhile cycle. In future I will go home when it stops being enjoyable. I might even give the club a miss for a while to do my own thing at my own pace.

Lastly, we already have one child, a 5 year old girl who is so eager to learn and play that she exhausts me with her enthusiasm. I feel guilty leaving to go out on the bike for hours each weekend, even more so when the wife is expecting child number 2. I now realise that I can't be selfish in wanting to cycle as much and need to treat it as an enjoyable hobby when the opportunity arises.

That's the way to do it!

As for your daughter ... get a tag-along and take her out with you - I bet she would love it!

 

[boydj]

Taking the pressure off is a great idea. Go out when you feel like it - just as far and as fast as your fancy takes you. Maybe using the bike for short utility trips as well. No point in giving up something that keeps you fit and healthy. The enjoyment will return.

 

[sanddancer]

Many thanks for all your comments, I have read and digested them all.
Today I got up not knowing whether I would go out on the bike or not. I said to myself just go out even for 10 minutes and if you don't fancy it come home. The weather was lovely this morning, very little wind and sunny so no excuse not to give it a try. The first few miles didn't feel great as my fitness has suffered recently but I said to myself don't set your mileage, just get to the next village and see where you want to go next. I took things at my own pace, passed and waved to many other cyclists this morning, even crossed paths with my cycle club and waved to them as they looked puzzled to see me on my own(This had been one of the few times in 2 years I hadn't been out with the club ride). As the time went on I could actually feel myself starting to smile because I was out for a leisurely cycle with no goals. I stayed out for 1 hour 20 minutes and covered about 22 miles. The distance and time was irrelevant for the first time in years to me but it still felt good to stay out for an hour after the first few miles felt so bad.

I think the reason for losing my enjoyment of cycling was the goal driven, competitive situation I had set myself and also that the cycle club had reinforced. One time I was out on my own and was having a terrible time in headwinds and rain and wanted to go home but I endured 50 miles on my own just to tell myself I had a worthwhile cycle. In future I will go home when it stops being enjoyable. I might even give the club a miss for a while to do my own thing at my own pace.

Lastly, we already have one child, a 5 year old girl who is so eager to learn and play that she exhausts me with her enthusiasm. I feel guilty leaving to go out on the bike for hours each weekend, even more so when the wife is expecting child number 2. I now realise that I can't be selfish in wanting to cycle as much and need to treat it as an enjoyable hobby when the opportunity arises.

Good post.
Dont stress yourself and go for a jolly ride when you feel like it, round the block, down to the shop, do what you feel comfortable with. And enjoy your kids cos they grow up quick

 

[sanddancer]

Forgot to say.
why not get a mtb or hybrid with flat pedals secondhand to just jump on in your jeans to pop out to the shops etc