When you're tired of cycling

[Ianonabike]

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?

 

[Brandane]

Regularly get that way. I have cycled in some form all my life (63 years now) but never what I would call competitive or obsessive, like some I know.
The weather sometimes puts me off, but so what, I do it for pleasure and recreation, not as a form of punishment. I am never going to be super fit!
So my advice would be just take a break if you don't feel up to it. If it comes back, it comes back... It's not compulsory.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Then you are tired of life

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Yep, I regularly go through phases where cycling feels a chore.

The worst phase was when I tried to cycle everyday for 30mins+ for a year, starting in early November '21. Some days were super easy but were such a struggle, think I had three days where I didn't hit my target and did 25-28mins instead.

Challenging but achievable goals helps keep me motivated, usually involving a hill, but since long covid it's sometimes been simply time on the ebike or turbo (trying to do at least 5 hours per week).

Despite not enjoying cycling as much at times, Strava tells me that my weekly streak is 455 weeks, which must go back to when I started cycling for fitness in '17 rather than just commuting or popping to the shop... But it may well have some weeks without a ride, where I've recorded a walk.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Twice a week? I dream about being motivated enough to go out twice a week!

 

[a.twiddler]

Sometimes I struggle to find a new route to keep me motivated, or something happens to make a formerly nice ride less pleasant, and it's hard to motivate myself. In the five years since I discovered recumbents I've had new motivation though. I sometimes wonder if I'd still be cycling today if I hadn't gone down that route. Maybe finding something new in cycling is the key, a bit of non road riding if you're a roadie, maybe try a gravel bike. Or even just treating yourself to a new bike, whatever it is.

Some posters have said that a change of location has led to a new interest in their cycling. On the other hand, you don't know what you've got till it's gone. I'm certainly lucky to be living where I do, with miles of lanes, rail trails and rideable towpaths within easy reach.

Sometimes just taking a break is enough, without pressure to do bikie things, follow your other interests for a while, and maybe the urge will return.

 

[biggs682]

@Ianonabike that's not good
The weather can certainly be a big reason not to get out for sure.
What about a new to you bike would that help?
I like to change between bikes on a regular basis and the same with routes nothing worse than doing the same route every time

 

[CentralCommuter]

Twice a week is still decent

 

[esoxlucius]

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.

 

[Gwylan]

I find that if I've been cycling then I don't feel I've wasted the day. Also, even when soaked through it's still nice to been out
It's the getting out that's my challenge.

My ongoing challenge is being in 20% of the group that saves my rides.
It's all the bikes in the Cowboy brand, that's about 60000. I feel self righteous if my monthly position stays above 5000.
The population probably reflects the biking community. Since I'm sure there are a lot of bikes that going to be ridden tomorrow.

 

[ianrauk]

Its something all us cyclists go through at one tIme or another. Then something kicks it that reminds you how brilliant cycling is and off you go again.

 

[raleighnut]

I've got no option if I need to get anywhere, don't like the bus and taxi's are TFD so it's a bike or trike for me

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I have been on & off for 54 years.

To me it is just a way of getting, and keeping, fit.

At its most basic level, I find cycling boring.

Especially when you have done all the decent routes where you live, umpteen times.

 

[Ian H]

Ride a time-trial, go touring, Sunday clubrun, Audax event with friends, track day with the club. It's quite a few years since I road-raced, but there's that as well. I haven't mentioned off-road.
So many different things.

 

[Oldhippy]

Consider maybe using a cycle as daily transport perhaps?