How do you keep yourself sane on long rides?

[Dave5N]

Think.

 

[ColinJ]

I think that I could get bored if I was riding through endless miles of featureless Kansas but I've done rides up to 14.5 hours in the UK and not been bored for a moment. If I thought that I needed to listen to music when riding a bike, I wouldn't ride a bike...

 

[Fab Foodie]

Think.

Yep. Good mulling-over time.
Also, I like Urban cycling, there's always something to see/ogle with the added bonus of other road-users trying to kill you... which keeps you sharp...

 

[MacB]

If I thought that I needed to listen to music when riding a bike, I wouldn't ride a bike...

yeah, at the moment even the thought of music, or radio, seems intrusive to me

 

[giantscr2.0]

Riding a bike over long distances is as much about being mentally strong as it is about being physically strong.
Try breaking your ride up into smaller parts.
If you are only riding 25 miles you could build in some different types of riding i.e: sprinting, climbing, interval training etc
Say to yourself "in 3 miles I'll have a drink" in another 3 miles i'll have something to eat.
When you ride do you ride a set loop? Do you always ride the same roads?
Try varying your route so you have new things to see.
I hope this helps.

 

[Fab Foodie]

giantscr2.0
I've a feeling we've met elsewhere...
Welcome!

 

[threefingerjoe]

How do I keep SANE? Easy! I just greet rabbits with a friendly, "Hullo!", shout obscenities at inanimate objects, stare into automobiles, wave at utility workers on poles, (or, sometimes, just wave at the pole), point at potholes and piles of glass to warn following riders (even when there are no other riders), and, in general, just enjoy the ride. But WATCH OUT for SQUIRRELS! They're out to get us. They're ALL out to get us!

 

[threefingerjoe]

BTW, I find it really refreshing to meet someone who implies that cyclists are sane! OH! And while you're riding....DON'T THINK ABOUT AN ELEPHANT!

 

[Randochap]

Sanity isn't all it's cracked up to be.

If you favour the common variety of mental hygiene prescribed by modern society, then you need to find another sport.

 

[yello]

Maybe those that don't have a problem staying sane on the bike are, in fact, not sane in the first place.

I had to stop this morning to watch a couple of ragondin...

...swim across a pond then scramble out onto the bank and disappear into the undergrowth. Incredible stuff. The first time I saw one of the little (well, not so little really!) creatures, I thought it was a beaver. Then I saw the tail and thought it was the biggest rat I'd ever seen. It was sitting by the side of the road. It regarded me slowly as I approached then ambled off into the field - no urgency. I could never get bored of such things.

 

[arallsopp]

To the OP. I hear you. I get a little nutsy on solo efforts, but it only really kicks in after 50+ miles. I don't mind it. It just gets a little loud in my head sometimes, and I have to concentrate on the pedals until the voices die down a little. I prefer to take someone along for the ride, as it stops me thinking about whether this might be a bad thing.

 

[beancounter]

Keeping sane on long cycle rides is no problem...

...it's the other 160 hours a week that I'm struggling with.

bc

 

[dodgy]

For rides >50 miles or so, I find it helps greatly to have an objective/location to reach. For me, it will be an interesting landmark or a great cafe or something. On the >100 rides, this is essential for me as 5+ hours in the saddle alone can be boring, even in fantastic countryside.

 

[jimboalee]

I've just applied for the Castleton Classic. 19th April. AUK 200 BRM.

There are parts of this ride that will send a normal person insane.
This year the route has been changed, so that's a bonus.

I have a Garmin 605. It has the capacity to handle 250 viapoints per route, so I try to use most of them so there is a 'bleep bleep' more often.

 

[Kestevan]

I just have arguments with the voices in my head....

Keeps me sane