How do you keep yourself sane on long rides?

[Wigsie]

But WATCH OUT for SQUIRRELS! They're out to get us. They're ALL out to get us!

This IS true! there is a stretch onmy commute i swear they sit in the overhanging trees dropping acorns and they play chicken with me running out infront of me!

But they are not as bad as the Llama's!! i swear they mock me as i attempt a steep climb.... which is just cruel!

MP3 players while riding on the road? is that not really dangerous, not to mention removing focus from the outside world, you and the elements, oe of the reasons i cycle!

 

[tyred]

Have a conversation with yourself. It's the only way you can guarantee an intelligent conversation.

 

[Chris James]

I, like many others on here apparently, have conversations with myself when out on my bike.

Because I am coped up in a windowless office for the week and then have two young kids to run around after for the weekend, I am just really happy to get out for a couple of hours or so. I also like being outdoors, and the frosts bring different challenges to the summer sun.

I certainly think it helps to live where i live as many of my local runs are in quite spectacularly scenic areas with very little traffic. To avoid letting things get samey then I find it helpful to set off on a ride without a fixed plan. I have umpteen variations that I can take on a whim so I am constantly monitoring if I fancy the hilly route, or if it is too wet to risk the cow muck spattered back road etc

 

[MrRidley]

+1 for the above, i look after my 2 kids all week so getting out on the bike keeps me sane

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1 I would be terrified of riding whilst listening to music. I have enough trouble with phantom cars as it is

I have never found it a problem and all of my rides are solo and I never ride plugged into anything. I just enjoy being in the countryside and find the distance soon mounts up.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1. Oh I am so glad I am not the only one who talks to myself whilst cycling. Also the idea of keeping a route plan fluid is one I agree with.

I, like many others on here apparently, have conversations with myself when out on my bike.

Because I am coped up in a windowless office for the week and then have two young kids to run around after for the weekend, I am just really happy to get out for a couple of hours or so. I also like being outdoors, and the frosts bring different challenges to the summer sun.

I certainly think it helps to live where i live as many of my local runs are in quite spectacularly scenic areas with very little traffic. To avoid letting things get samey then I find it helpful to set off on a ride without a fixed plan. I have umpteen variations that I can take on a whim so I am constantly monitoring if I fancy the hilly route, or if it is too wet to risk the cow muck spattered back road etc

 

[Randochap]

But they are not as bad as the Llama's!! i swear they mock me as i attempt a steep climb.... which is just cruel!

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

 

[rossbarney2003]

I take my mp3 player with me on smaller rides to keep me going, but I find having my ears plugged up for long periods of time kinda suffocating.

I also found it hard joining a club because of the times I have uni/work so I just looked around on cycling forums and other sites for other people that cycled in my area. It ended up working out for me as I have now met 2 other cyclists in my area that can meet up for cycles regularly. It really helps on the longer rides having somebody to speak to etc.

 

[giantscr2.0]

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

Hi Fab, yes I think our paths have crossed before on the other side!!

 

[MadoneRider1991]

I'm really trying to up my weekly mileage so i feel confident enough to do a sportive in Summer sometime (guidance on a good 1st sportive for a novice would also be great right now?)

So just a question which might help other people aswell as myself.

How do you all keep yourself's sane on longer distance rides, 25 miles+?

I personally take my iPod on all rides but it starts to get a little repetitive and sometimes i fancy not having something stuffed in my ear.

In the perfect world id ride with a club on rides, but as far as im aware and have been lead to believe, the clubs in my area (Little Stoke-Bristol) ride on a week day and Saturday morning's.

Which is no good for me as i work weekdays and many Saturdays.


Anyway i look forward to hearing your responses.

Thanks

i use my Ipod to keep me sane lol

 

[jayce]

I have 4 kids so when i out i make the most of it ,i ride around 6 times a week i will take the ipod cause where i live there a no countryside views ,i just keep plugging on

 

[paddy01]

Saw this thread earlier, so had a ponder on a 20 miler earlier (medium distance by my lowly standars )

I'm no closer to an answer but it served it's purpose

 

[yenrod]

> How do you keep yourself sane on long rides?

The thoughts i have on a long ride would gain me many a pound coin in royalties !

 

[Bodhbh]

Hrmm i seem to be another one of the 'talking to myself' brigade. Well not so much a conversation, more a periodic out-loud commentary. I got caught out repeating "you could have made it, you could have ****ing made it" a couple of times by a farmer getting out his 4x4. I was on about catching the 2nd to last train back home from Dover, not having some mid-life crisis.

 

[asterix]

I hold conversations with people. I'm not sure whether they are really there or not, but I just do.. Ok?