Motivation required...help please

[Sale Madrid]

Hi all. I'm quite new to cycling (bought a road bike almost 12 months ago) and I'm having difficulty getting into it (although I really want to). I'm used to more skill based sports like football, tennis, squash etc and now I've got a bit older and have a bike, I thought I might get into it. The problem is, when I've been out on my bike, it bores me to tears and as a result I'm hardly getting out. On the few occasions I've been out, I do get pleasure in the thought of having been out on my bike but the actual chore of doing it I'm thinking that I can't wait for it to be over.

What is it that inspires you lads and lasses to get on yer bike and can you offer me some advice to get me to actually want to get on mine.

 

[HovR]

Where are you riding? If you're just riding in an urban environment, then it won't be anything like as enjoyable as if you are riding out in the countryside down beautiful country roads.

 

[musa]

The places you can go. The mileage you can rack up. People who can meet. Especially on here. Bike porn

Just keep going mate.

 

[HovR]

Oh, and to the forums!

 

[Pauluk]

I cycle to work when I can. I love the scenery as I pass by the river, canal tow paths and city parks from one side of the city to the other, its much better than taking a shorter journey in the car.
Just under half my commute is on the roads, which is quite challenging, looking out for the dopy gits in cars that have no clue about road cycle techniques and cyclist's rights.

I also cycle for leisure with my wife, so it gives us great days out in the country side.

 

[Sale Madrid]

Where are you riding? If you're just riding in an urban environment, then it won't be anything like as enjoyable as if you are riding out in the countryside down beautiful country roads.

I've ridden down to the Peak district which is beautiful I suppose but fields/trees/hills/animals don't really float my boat so the scenery is neither here nor there to me. I'm really quite jealous of guys who can get on their bikes and ride for miles. I must admit that I'd dodge the cross-country runs at school in favour of footy. I think I must lack stamina and motivation for solo challenges. I'll have to work on it I think. I hope it will become a pleasure and not a chore or I've wasted a grand :-(

 

[stephen.rooke]

use something like strava and try to beat your time.

for me beating my longest distance and tackling new climbs keep me motivated

 

[DCLane]

If you like the company, why not try a local cycle group? CTC will have them, along with others. Near me there's a group that meets once a week for an informal 20-30 mile ride with a stop.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Welcome
It's funny, I'm much the same with jogging, it would be great exercise fr me especially as I'm reguarly away fro work, but it mores me stupid. On the flip side, I can sit on the Turbo trainer pedalling nowhere in the garage for an hour without problem!
My thoughts are these ...
Find a riding buddy
Join a club and ride a TT
Set some goals, short-term and long-term

Also agree about figuring-out where to ride. To be honest I prefer Urban cycling to country roads and also like night-cycling too, so I'll often ride into Oxford for a few loops of a late evening, it's another world.

 

[stephen.rooke]

Welcome
It's funny, I'm much the same with jogging, it would be great exercise fr me especially as I'm reguarly away fro work, but it mores me stupid. On the flip side, I can sit on the Turbo trainer pedalling nowhere in the garage for an hour without problem!
My thoughts are these ...
Find a riding buddy
Join a club and ride a TT
Set some goals, short-term and long-term

Also agree about figuring-out where to ride. To be honest I prefer Urban cycling to country roads and also like night-cycling too, so I'll often ride into Oxford for a few loops of a late evening, it's another world.

im thinking of joining a club, want to do some tt's aswell, will wait for my new bike before joining up though, sounds fun

 

[Sale Madrid]

If you like the company, why not try a local cycle group? CTC will have them, along with others. Near me there's a group that meets once a week for an informal 20-30 mile ride with a stop.

That's an idea DC, at least it wont be as boring if I've got someone to talk to. What's CTC ?

 

[Sale Madrid]

Welcome
It's funny, I'm much the same with jogging, it would be great exercise fr me especially as I'm reguarly away fro work, but it mores me stupid. On the flip side, I can sit on the Turbo trainer pedalling nowhere in the garage for an hour without problem!
My thoughts are these ...
Find a riding buddy
Join a club and ride a TT
Set some goals, short-term and long-term

Also agree about figuring-out where to ride. To be honest I prefer Urban cycling to country roads and also like night-cycling too, so I'll often ride into Oxford for a few loops of a late evening, it's another world.

Night cycling ? what about the Police ?

 

[ColinJ]

That's an idea DC, at least it wont be as boring if I've got someone to talk to. What's CTC ?

CTC = Cyclists' Touring Club

 

[DCLane]

That's an idea DC, at least it wont be as boring if I've got someone to talk to. What's CTC ?

Cyclists Touring Club (or something like it - and I'm a member!) http://beta.ctc.org.uk/

If you click on the 'Local' tab you can see if there's a group near you and what they do. Usually it's a mixture of short/long/fun rides.

There's forum rides on here too. It just depends where you are.

 

[stephen.rooke]

Night cycling ? what about the Police ?

lol cycling at night isnt illegal