The 'B' word.

[SpokeyDokey]

I've now been cycling 6 months and I am about to do my first Thirty next week - this is in lieu of my abortive attempt last week when I fell off!

Whilst not overly driven to do longer and longer distances I would like to do a Fifty at some stage - I think!

But...for those of you who do these distances and more regularly; do you get bored?

I am loving my cycling but tbh the thought of riding a bike for say 4 hours or so (for the Fifty) is not exactly riveting. Not sure why as I do 10-12 hour days in the mountains (walking) quite a lot and do not get bored.

Maybe it's all in my mind but this seems like more of a barrier to me than the thought of the physical exertion.

So; do you get bored? If so...coping strategies?

 

[biggs682]

enjoy the views and have a chat with yourself time will soon fly by

 

[adamwatkins]

Used to think 3 hrs was a long ride, now I've just done a 300k 15hr jobbie and loved it! Usually get a catchy tune in my head

 

[mark st1]

Used to think 3 hrs was a long ride, now I've just done a 300k 15hr jobbie and loved it! Usually get a catchy tune in my head

A catchy tune for 300 km wtf is that 1,000,000,000 green bottles hanging on the wall !

 

[themosquitoking]

Take someone along to talk to. I normally only do 30 miles max when i'm on my own but when i'm out with someone 50ish isn't too much of a problem. It helps when you can cycle behind someone, i assume two or more is even better.

 

[jazzkat]

I actually have the opposite problem. I've been riding along enjoying myself and all of a sudden three hours has gone!
The only time I get bored is usually the last ten miles or so when I'm a bit tired and on my local roads.

 

[themosquitoking]

A catchy tune for 300 km wtf is that 1,000,000,000 green bottles hanging on the wall !

I think even my favourite song ever would grate after 300k.

 

[Sittingduck]

Join a cycling club or try to find a cycling buddy. Time will pass really quickly in good company!

 

[morrisman]

Not everyone's answer but I listen to audio books (on low volume so I can hear whats going on around me)

 

[Haitch]

Pick a destination you want to visit 25miles away and go via some points of interest on the way there and back. Then 50 miles isn't a distance but a means to enjoy a ride.

Here endeth the homespun philosophy.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I kind of zone-out, enjoy the view, the birds, think deep thoughts, think shallow thoughts, don't think at all and just pedal. Never bored though.

 

[DaveyM]

Don't do it for the distance...I mean if you set out to do 50 then that is what you are thinking about. Instead just go somewhere to see what there.
I don't get bored on longer rides, its usually the short rides that I have done a hundred times that bore me.

 

[LarryDuff]

I talk to myself. Tell myself stories and stuff from history. I like to have a debate.

 

[Ern1e]

I talk to myself. Tell myself stories and stuff from history. I like to have a debate.

+1 from me only problem I have in the debating section is I never seem to bl**dy win lol.

 

[doog]

There is a saying in cycle touring .

Some people 'cycle to tour' and others 'tour to cycle'. Im sure the same could be said about most cyclists. Do you cycle to look at the surroundings, the countryside, stop every 30 minutes etc or do you cycle for the sheer physical effort and enjoyment you get out of covering vast distances under your own steam. Its possible under the latter to enjoy your surroundings as well.