The end of the road?

[yello]

My suggestion is to give yourself an official 3 month break...no guilt, no questioning and definitely no riding

I've more-or-less had that through illness.

I think maybe my answer is to not think about it, just head out with no expectations and see what happens. If I get 1km down the road and just turn and head home then so be it. That said, it usually takes me a good half hour before I'm feeling it - so it'll be a slow 1km then!

There's a ride I do, around 60 to 80km all told depending, that's absolutely brilliant this time of year. I suspect, in the back of my mind, I'm aware that I'm not up to it and that's possibly saddening me - making me think it's all over. Yes, I am a catastrophy thinker!

 

[CentralCommuter]

I struggle with the motivation, but to echo SpokeyDokey it is the desire to exercise that drives me to get back on the bike. I never cycle with others, so much like the gym it has only ever been a solitary, occasionally lonely, pastime. Although once out I really do enjoy it.

Golf on the other hand …. I have played that consistently, obsessively for the last 16 years. If only it caused me to lose weight!!!!

 

[yello]

My conclusion is to leave it until next Spring and if it happens it happens

Thank you. I think you've unintentionally hit on something there. That along with other comments about autumn riding. It might be season related. I think the fact that it is autumn is triggering me, if I can put it like that. I'm translating that I'm not riding in my favourite time of year as somehow being the end of the world... well, cycling anyway...when maybe I'm just fatigued.

Edit: added, when maybe I'm just fatigued.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I have considered the possibility that I'm still ill. Energy levels have been low for a few months now but no other real symptoms. As I had covid earlier this year I did wonder if there was a long covid-like residual.

It's certainly a possibility, different people can suffer different long covid symptoms.

My power numbers and Lactate Threshold Heart Rate fell off a cliff; along with exercise stamina; while fatigue and brain fog went off the scale. My breathing while doing exercise, including simply carrying individiual trays of food shopping delivery upstairs went wonky for months. I went from bike training ~10 hours per week on top of being a postie to struggling to do ~2.5 hours of gentle exercise a week and taking ill health retirement.

But there could be other explanations for your low energy, for example low iron and/or low Vitamin B levels.

Maybe chat to your doctor, if you haven't already.

 

[rydabent]

Has anyone made the decision to stop cycling? That is, if it is/was something you do/did for pleasure rather than necessity, i.e. commuting. Because I think I'm maybe close to making that decision. If I wasn't so invested in it, in terms of equipment, I think it'd possibly be a 'no-brainer' and I'd pack it in, but I have a garage and a wardrobe full of cycling stuff.

Now admittedly I've had health issues these last 3 months, and I've had periods in the past where I've taken a break, but it feels different today. Like it's 'not there' anymore. I find myself looking at my cycling gear, not feeling motivation but simply thinking it's time to sell up.

Curious, as it's been such a part of my life.

I intent to keep riding my trike right up to the end. I tell people that at 102 years old, they will find me pulled off the bike path cooling out.

 

[Pblakeney]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I don't commute. I ride only for pleasure.

Ah, my mistake for mis-reading. Take a break for sure.
If you do head out one day then go out with no goals in mind. Just go as far as you feel it and as fast/slow as you can enjoy. I blame Strava.