How to stick with it

[GuyBoden]

hi Guys, I'm having trouble sticking with it. I start well and drop a stone or so then that's it. 4/5 months later I find myself starting again.
How can I find a way of sticking with it?
I'm 55 now and a few stone over weight, and considerably unfit.

Help!!!

I'm 52, live in South Warrington, I'd be very happy to go out for an easy, very slow, ride around Cheshire.

 

[dan_bo]

Commuting daily is the only eay for mortals.

 

[adamangler]

Meh, I've been riding for decades and in winter, 12mph is a rarity. The local freewheelers group struggles for 10mph in these conditions.

My point was that when i start riding again im slow, then i get faster, then i quit cycling and have to start over again, obvious maybe but i dont know whats meh about it, cant say ive ever averaged less than 12mph but im sure i would if the ride was long enough or riding in a tornado

 

[adamangler]

I think you need to work out what motivates you. There are dozens of fitness apps and trackers available. Some people love to track their distance/speed and compete against themselves and others. That works for them. Some people enjoy going out with a club or with friends. They get up and go out because they don't want to let other people down. Some people save money by not driving to work. The thought of what they can spend the money on will motivate them. Does any of them work for you?

One of the reasons I cycle is to keep my carbon footprint as low as possible. So it really annoys me if I have to use the car. That's one reason why I ride in the rain and cold.

I do think it'll be difficult to ride without a bike so you need to get that sorted asap

I agree you have to find your own personal motivation

But you suffer the cold and rain for the sake of carbon footprint? surely you must enjoy it as well never heard anyone riding solely for tree hugging type purposes before

 

[Saluki]

Hi
I am another naughty music listener. I have Aftershokz Blues - bluetooth bone conduction headphones, that don't block your ears, the sound is conducted through your bones. I can listen to music and hear my tyres rolling on the road. I can hear approaching traffic, tweeting birds and everything. I do pause them at big junctions and in cities though as I want no distractions there.
I take my garmin and log all my rides, I find that helps with motivation. I now use Strava. I find that very motivating.
I set little targets too. I set myself x amount of miles a month/year and ride towards that goal. I like to overachieve but that's just me.

I get 'oh sod it, I'll not ride for a while' times. Generally sorted out by the first sunny day and seeing others out, having fun. It happens to everyone.

What bike are you thinking of getting? Always motivates me, a new bike. Mine are 18 months and 13 months and the novelty of CF hasn't worn off yet.

 

[Leaway2]

The correct bike is key. It has to be something that you enjoy riding. If riding is a chore you will soon tire of it again.

 

[annedonnelly]

I agree you have to find your own personal motivation

But you suffer the cold and rain for the sake of carbon footprint? surely you must enjoy it as well never heard anyone riding solely for tree hugging type purposes before

Yes I do enjoy it, but not always. Sometimes it would be nice to be warm & dry in the car

 

[Tenacious Sloth]

My point was that when i start riding again im slow, then i get faster, then i quit cycling and have to start over again, obvious maybe but i dont know whats meh about it, cant say ive ever averaged less than 12mph but im sure i would if the ride was long enough or riding in a tornado

I have the same problem with learning to play the acoustic guitar. I'll practice for a couple of months, get past the sore fingertips stage, and then stop playing for 6 months. Just long enough to forget everything I learned and for my fingertips to go soft again.

Keeping up the cycling hasn't been a problem though. The secret for me is commuting to work (about 26 miles a day). Haven't missed a single day since I started last April. I'm too scared to miss a day now I n case the rot sets in.

Added bonus is I've lost 3 stone, but the downside is I'm too knackered to pick up the guitar.

Graham

 

[SpokeyDokey]

hi Guys, I'm having trouble sticking with it. I start well and drop a stone or so then that's it. 4/5 months later I find myself starting again.
How can I find a way of sticking with it?
I'm 55 now and a few stone over weight, and considerably unfit.

Help!!!

Most times I find cycling pretty boring - now and again I enjoy a ride.

I just discipline myself to get out twice a week year round (weather permitting).

Some time ago I identified my big block to getting out - if I pre-plan a long route the night before for busy day in my life, I get up and think "that's going to take a couple of hours" and I can't be bothered to put in the time commitment with all the other stuff I am doing that day. Often equalling no 'out'.

On non-busy days I am usually fine.

Nowadays I only plan rides for non-busy days.

On busy days I just get the bike out and ride with no fixed route.

Seems to work for me - done a bit over 2000 miles last year.