When you're tired of cycling

[Ming the Merciless]

You don’t stop cycling because you have grown old, you grow old because you stop cycling.

 

[esoxlucius]

You don’t stop cycling because you have grown old, you grow old because you stop cycling.

I find riding the bike, and the wife, in equal measure, though definitely not at the same time, keeps old age at bay, lol.

 

[Ianonabike]

Thank you for all the replies. I don't see myself stopping altogether, especially as when I do go out, I'm usually glad I did. It's just that that's not translating into continued enthusiasm. Guess I'll just take it day by day and not worry about it too much. Not that I am, I was just curious about other people's experiences.

 

[Ian H]

Remember, it's a hobby, not a religion.

Ye gods! Burn the heretic!

 

[Milzy]

I'm currently just not feeling it; I don't know why. I haven't had an accident, and the roads around me haven't become any worse. I've been cycling all my life without really thinking about it much. I used to go out practically every day; now I'm down to maybe twice a week.

Have you gone through a phase where you just weren't feeling it? If so, did you power through it, or give in and take a sabbatical?

You must be burnt out. When you’re ready you’ll swing your leg over. If you never want to then your hormones aren’t right.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Samuel Johnson enjoyed a ride I hear.

He was actually a 2nd Cat racer, Samuel Pepys was a 3rd but Shakespeare could not get out of the 4th's, just didn't have the sprint....

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

If you've lost your mojo that would absolutely destroy it.

Sometimes you just need a break, the bike will still be there when you feel like riding again. Remember, it's a hobby, not a religion.

+1 for a break. An overuse back injury has forced me to take 3 or 4 short breaks off the bike in the last 12 months. I kind of knew I had an unhealthy relationship in terms of not having had a proper break from riding in the last 10 years, but actually forcing myself to stop has been a good thing. It has also allowed me to accept I can do other things, if I don't feel like cycling on a given day then I won't. Previously I would have forced myself to no matter what.

 

[wafter]

It's been lumpy for me. Had a bike as a kid but didn't do much of consequence other than rolling around the village.

Got into it a lot more at uni for utilty and leisure, then fell out of it once back home afterwards as the surrounding roads were much less inviting.

Pretty much repeated this trend when I moved back to the city with my now-ex, although it took me a while to really get into it, then fell off the wagon again when that relationship went pear-shaped and I ended up back at home... although at least by this time I'd recognised the mental / physical benefits of being in the saddle so made more of an effort to stay on it.

Now I'm back in the city and riding more than I ever have - even if I lose my mojo I expect I'll always ride to some extent as it's by far the least-worst way to get about around here.

If you've lost interest you could try something new (different routes / terrain), maybe try to factor in some utility stuff (shops, commuting) as this gets you out regardless of how you feel about it.. or maybe just give it a break, try something totally different and leave its future in the lap of the gods..?

 

[Mike Ayling]

The only thing that would probably prevent me getting out eventually would be age. I'm 57 now. Will I still be out and about when I'm 65, 70, even older?

Thankfully the signs I see on my journeys are promising as I see older riders all the time. Most are understandably slow, but crikey you get the odd veteran who can't half travel.

Health permitting I hope that's me one day.

I belong to a facebook group called The Royal Academy of Octogenarian Cyclists run by a bloke in Canada. There are a lot of pootlers but there are some that can fly.

 

[steveindenmark]

Getting an allotment a couple of months ago has side tracked me from cycling. But I got a bike out and gave it a good clean this week and took an e bike out for a couple of hour rides.

Allotment season is finishing and so I will soon be back on my bike. I like winter riding.

 

[sevenfourate]

I'm this way with most of my hobbies. And i have so many things i enjoy doing. And dont have time for them all.

So its inevitable that 'hobbies' go in waves. A month or 6 weeks ago i was cycling regularly. At this point i'm struggling to get motivated at all to do a ride of any sort.

Aiming to get my arse into gear (sic) this weekend....

 

[Person]

If you begin cycling from a young age you will more than likely spend 50+ years riding a bike. To spend that amount of years cycling, be consistent and remain focused and positive is not possible for me.
I have burnt out many times in my life because of familiar roads and surroundings, and also the weather being bad.
When I can't face cycling I have my weight lifting to keep my fitness levels up.
When I entered my 50s the best thing I did for my cycling health was to put bikepacking bags on my bike, become more of a touring cyclist and in the summer stay out for 8+ hours on some rides.
Good luck.

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm retiring next year and I'm fully aware that the void will be huge, a real shock to the system. The last thing I need is boredom spiralling into depression etc etc.

So, over the years, knowing full well that one day I won't be working, I've taken on interests and hobbies which will hopefully keep me busy, and sane!

Cycling has always been there, as an outdoor option, and my annual mileage will certainly increase once I hang up my work boots. Angling too is another outdoor love of mine, and walking over the local moors is another one. And over the past four or five years I've started gardening too.

Indoor hobbies are also important for when the weather is really bad. I keep fish, make my own wine (not for me, I rarely drink) and one of my biggest loves is art. I have a mini studio set up in the corner of our converted garage.

Yes, between the lot of them I think I can keep myself occupied, but cycling, I suspect, will be the mainstay of my activities.

 

[raleighnut]

If you begin cycling from a young age you will more than likely spend 50+ years riding a bike.

I started cycling aged about 4...............................Still riding at 63.

 

[fossyant]

Thank you for all the replies. I don't see myself stopping altogether, especially as when I do go out, I'm usually glad I did. It's just that that's not translating into continued enthusiasm. Guess I'll just take it day by day and not worry about it too much. Not that I am, I was just curious about other people's experiences.

Have you got 'other bikes' ? i.e. road, mountain bike, gravel.CX. I find mixing it up can be quite refreshing - I commute three days, so weekend rides are mainly CX or road (on the CX with slicks). My old vintage road bikes are locked up and not easy to get to, so out comes the CX. It can do most of the off road round here except the proper stuff, and it's nice to have that option, part way through the ride, to hop onto a gravel track, or not, or indeed do the whole ride on gravel. My commute to work is mainly off roads, although mostly on road on the way home (unfortunately due to the local human wildlife having woken up by 5pm).

Don't feel you need to ride if the weather is poor. As said above, look for a weather window.

Take a break and mix it up with other activity. I like doing a bit of kayak sailing - nothing technical, total beginners stuff, but it's really relaxing.