When you're tired of cycling

[esoxlucius]

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

Wow, 59 years continuous riding!!! I bet you're in the Guinness book of records for the gnarliest saddle sores, lol.

 

[the_mikey]

I think a lot of cyclists sometimes put unrealistic goals on themselves. Such as doing so many miles per week or religiously getting up at the crack of dawn everyday to do a ride before the day starts, or, if you commute, travelling to work in all sorts of weather. Those three instances would quickly become very tedious for me and I definitely would lose interest fast, so I don't do any of them.

I also love to feel that inner wellbeing from a health and fitness perspective that cycling gives me. I seem to constantly have a spring in my step when my similarly aged friends are mostly sedentary overweight couch potatoes. The health and fitness aspect motivates me to keep going beyond anything else.

I recently sold one of my road bikes and replaced it with a 'go slow' hybrid (Marin Kentfield) , the point being it made pootling along feel okay.

When I ride my road bike it feels somehow wrong to not turn the ride into a time-trial, but with my hybrid, it not only isn't light, it isn't aero, it has flat pedals and only has a 1x groupset, which makes it even harder to do any sporty riding. It has made local rides enjoyable. Still love my road bike though, just not every day.

 

[Rusty Nails]

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

If cycling is the only thing you do.

 

[raleighnut]

Wow, 59 years continuous riding!!! I bet you're in the Guinness book of records for the gnarliest saddle sores, lol.

Nah I have Brooks saddles on all my bikes.

 

[PaulSB]

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?

I've had this three times; once following serious illness, another following a major RTC. These were largely about self-pity.

The third time was after a long winter of hard training. I had simply overdone it, pushed myself too hard. A month off and I was ready to go.

I do think we need variety. If I look at a heat map thingy of Lancashire I've covered just about every cycleable road multiple times. As have my buddies.

To counter this we now ride many of our routes in the opposite direction. It brings a new perspective. The other thing is we took up gravel and trail riding 3 or 4 years ago. A whole new world, a different vibe and of course thousands of new miles to discover.

A change is as good as a rest

 

[PaulSB]

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

Yes. This. While I have many, many other ways to fill my days without my bikes both my mental and physical health would decline.

Cycling is my time. "Me" time is so important for us all.

 

[Mo1959]

I'm very much an all or nothing person. When I first got keen on cycling around 15 years ago I was really enthusiastic and did big miles most days in all weathers. Last couple of years I doubt I've done more than a dozen rides. Almost totally lost interest in it.

I'm not sure if it's just advancing age making it feel harder combined with the effects of lots of lower back and sciatic issues which have weakened my legs, or the every increasing amount of traffic.

On the occasions I do venture out, it's usually just for between 12 and 25 miles and it feels more than enough.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Wow, 59 years continuous riding!!! I bet you're in the Guinness book of records for the gnarliest saddle sores, lol.

Sadly sores should not be the normal experience of cycling. If you’re getting pain something is seriously wrong.

 

[esoxlucius]

Sadly sores should not be the normal experience of cycling. If you’re getting pain something is seriously wrong.

I took his comment very much in a light hearted literal sense. He said he started at four and is still cycling at 63. That would be 59 years in the saddle without getting off!!! That is why I made a throw away comment regarding gnarly saddle sores.

All innocent light hearted banter i thought. @raleighnut seemed to get my half cocked attempt at humour, lol.

But you're right, no cyclist should ever have saddle sores, unless they're doing something seriously wrong.

 

[Webbo2]

I occasionally get saddle sores in certain situations. For instance when I go to Alps and spend an hour or more riding up hill, I seem ride differently. Also if I go out with the faster group in our club I end sitting more on the nose of the saddle in my desperation not to get dropped🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[esoxlucius]

I occasionally get saddle sores in certain situations. For instance when I go to Alps and spend an hour or more riding up hill, I seem ride differently. Also if I go out with the faster group in our club I end sitting more on the nose of the saddle in my desperation not to get dropped🤣🤣🤣🤣

Like I said, you're doing something seriously wrong. Like climbing hills that are wayyyy too big for you and riding with guys who are wayyyy to fast for you! Lol.

Seriously though, I've never had saddle sores but I've had situations in the past where my arse just ached like mad. Then I was recommended the charge spoon and that saddle was a game changer for me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

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?

That happens to me on occasion. Yesterday would have been an ideal cycling commute day, but I was just too tired from the week and needed to be fit for work.

 

[Milzy]

Cool story I know a guy whom collects old steel frames & vintage Campag components. He’s over weight & smokes but he’ll die happy knowing he had fun spending all his money on cycling without having to exercise.

 

[esoxlucius]

Cool story I know a guy whom collects old steel frames & vintage Campag components. He’s over weight & smokes but he’ll die happy knowing he had fun spending all his money on cycling without having to exercise.

Sadly, a good mate of mine, overweight, drinks, smokes, never exercises and has current minor health issues. He absolutely loves watching cycling on tele. I'l have a beer with him occasionally and all he wants to talk about is the current big race which has been on.

I've brooched the subject of maybe giving it a go but he reckons his sedentary condition is too far gone. Very sad really. Granted, it would be a long journey for him to get himself in really good condition but it's definitely doable.

 

[Ianonabike]

Consider maybe using a cycle as daily transport perhaps?

Aside from brief periods of my life, it's been recreation. Daily transport is not an option.

Have you got 'other bikes' ?

Yes...

What about a new to you bike would that help?

I like the bikes I have. To quote Lance, it's not about the bike. But thanks for giving me daydreaming material!