Keeping motivated

[Funkus Munkus]

I am wondering what keeps people motivated, mainly people like myself who haven't been on a bike for 30 years.

I am finding it a struggle as I don't seem to be making any progress, ok it's only been a few weeks but I am finding even the slightest incline totally kills me in no time at all. To date the furthest I have been is 5 miles.

I try to get out every day if I can to do something, should I perhaps do every other day but do more on the days that I do go out?? I have no idea what I should / shouldn't be doing so any advice or ideas are welcome.

 

[Katherine]

Do what you enjoy, build it up gradually. Nothing wrong with a rest day or sticking at 5 miles for a while, then try a bit more. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

 

[ISAAC_J]

Ride more, more, and then some more. Your fitness will improve. I live in a very hilly area and love the hills - they take my breathe away! On a serious note, I purchased a 'Turbo trainer' for the not so nice days awhile ago. The 'Turbo trainer' helped me improve my fitness (it increased my leg strength and stamina). Now I can ride for hours on end and I really do enjoy cycling on the 'back roads'.

Just get out there and ride and enjoy every moment!

That's my two pence worth ...

 

[Dogtrousers]

Explore your local area. Try to find an interesting place that you haven't really looked at before - maybe an old windmill or an interesting bridge, or something with a bit of local history or something. Ride to see it.

 

[TissoT]

Find a nice coffee/cake/tea/café stop that you like and ride to it ..
Then try and find one further out to ride to
I find riding to a destination makes it worth while
Also riding with like minded cyclist also keeps you motivated..

 

[Doobiesis]

Don't force yourself out or you won't enjoy it, especially everyday. Go out when you are all fired up ready for a challenge and then you'll enjoy it more.

 

[Sea of vapours]

I came back to cycling after a 32 year gap just over a year ago. Sounds to me as if you are demotivating yourself with trying to get out every day; I know that would have put me off anyway.

Whilst getting back into it, it might well be better to aim for 2-4 rides per week; that way, you'll be keen to go out after a couple of days off, you'll be properly recovered, and with a bit of luck you'll be able to go a little further and therefore both feel better about that ride and condition yourself a little more than you are now.

The advice above about having a local place to explore as an objective is good too, giving you a bit of a break part way through the ride.

In general, just don't push yourself too hard in terms of frequency, at least not for a while.I've been upping my distances and I'm motivated by going further, but if I thought I *had* to go out every day I'd probably stop right now ;-)

 

[i hate hills]

Echoing all of the above. Dont give up its hard going to start with but you WILL improve. I haven't been out for ages due to a medical issue and as i type this preparing myself for my first ride in a long time. Try going out every second or third day .

 

[Cannondale Lady]

Have you read my thread in here (Beginners) called 'My Firsts'. Might be worth a read and may just motivate you. Its keeping me going thats for sure.

 

[Andrew_P]

Commuting cracked it for me, just the pure routine of it.

 

[ayceejay]

Motivation is the willingness to do things that you may not normally do, in your case cycling.
Why do you want to ride a bike?
If you have a valid and reasonable goal then this will be your motivation.
Like a lot of people who have not exercised for 30 years your goal setting will have to take this into account.
You are not going to loose 10 lbs and become super fit in a couple of weeks.
Choose a flat route if you can and go out for 3 miles, have a break then turn around and cycle home.
Do this a couple of times and then see if you can get back quicker than you went out.
After two weeks go out a bit further. If you can't avoid hills go up until it gets too hard then get off and walk.
Mark/remember the spot and try to beat it next time by just a yard or two.

 

[wam68]

If your cycling when you don't want to or are forcing yourself to do it you'll end up hating it. It becomes a job which is the last thing you want. Just take your time, go out when you want and gradually you'll see a difference in your fitness. Small steps though. After a while you'll be going further and faster and more importantly enjoying it. But remember small steps and don't be expecting the impossible. Keep at and keep er lit

My motivation came from starting of doing 5 mile cycles out of breath. Now seeing my speeds and stamina slowly increase and out running my footballing son. Averaging 20 mph now and loving it. Good luck

 

[Hill Wimp]

Is your saddle the right height ? Many people don't have them high enough thinking their toes should have to touch the ground and so they don't get a proper leg extention to allow your legs to power correctly.

Once i found the right height for me i started making mincemeat of hills.

Still hate them and avoid them if i can though.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I am wondering what keeps people motivated, mainly people like myself who haven't been on a bike for 30 years.

I am finding it a struggle as I don't seem to be making any progress, ok it's only been a few weeks but I am finding even the slightest incline totally kills me in no time at all. To date the furthest I have been is 5 miles.

I try to get out every day if I can to do something, should I perhaps do every other day but do more on the days that I do go out?? I have no idea what I should / shouldn't be doing so any advice or ideas are welcome.

I couldn't hack going out every day on my bike. Once during the week (occasionally twice) and Sat's & Sun's when it's not raining and I'm not doing something more interesting.

For me: cycling is a pretty mundane activity. The only buzz I get is seeing my little improvements - longer rides, quicker rides, bigger hills etc. I have a nightmare time actually getting on the bike in the first place but once saddled up I am ok with it.

Motivation for me: keeps me a bit fitter/healthier and (hopefully) will help keep the Grim Reaper away from me for as long as I can.

 

[Cyphrex]

I started by riding around our neighborhood for 3 miles at a pace around 10-12mph. Once that got comfortable i would pick up the speed to 14mph, then 16mph then start adding 1-2 miles. Then i would push to do it without stopping for breaks until ive been pushing 16miles at an average of 17mph on a MTB with road tires. I havent rode for almost 20 years and love every minute im back in the saddle, and hate the days i cant ride (mechanical, weather...etc) i also ride every weekday and take the weekends off to rest and complete other chores ignored during the week, helps prevent burnout too.