Motavational problems

"Lee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

As some of you will know I am a new commuter (although Ive been doing it

for

Quoted message said:

nearly 2 months now)!

This morning was hard. I REALLY couldnt be bothered to ride in ! I did anyway but found it hard. I
need some ideas on how to motivate myself!! I suspect one of the reasons why I felt a lack of
motivation is that its fairly dark in a morning now - although by the time i leave the house its
brighter (bout 7.25ish). The mist/fog probably didnt help much either!

Just wondered how you regulars motivate yourselves - or is it just a

habit?

Quoted message said:

I am quite happy that i "forced" myself to ride, and i do feel better for

it

Quoted message said:

now, but this was my first REAL morning of "i cant be bothered".

Well done for 'forcing' yourself.

I suspect you need to look at why you couldn't be arsed this morning. Here it was bright and sparkly
at 7:30 -- I wish I had gone out for a spin just for fun.

Mostly, I find the positive feedback of cycling remotivates me if I do have to 'force' myself out.
Its the endorphins, stupid. I find I start a reasonable % of rides grumpy but very, very rarely end
a ride grumpy -- and that sets me up for a couple of weeks.

However, if you have some aches and pains -- even minor ones -- and they are the driver for your
reluctance it may be worth taking it easy for a day or two -- though you may then need a bigger
stick to remotivate yourself.

Remember the clocks go back soon so mornings will be light again :~)

T

when i can't be arsed riding, i don't force myself, i drive in.

it only takes 1 morning of being sat in traffic jams bored stupid, to remember why i prefer to ride.

the next few days after i take special pleasure out of flying past all the jams, wind in my hair etc.

sadly also if i feel demotivated, i buy a present for my bike, some new kit always makes me want to ride my bike more.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lee
I
need some ideas on how to motivate myself!!

the days when I feel less enthusiastic are the days when I feel very tired (small children in the house). I still feel more motivated to set off than to get the train but I just ride slowly. Usually by halfway in I have forgotten that I am supposed to be riding slowly anyway.

Would it be the worst thing in the world if you just didn't take the bike in when you really don't feel like it. I cycle because I enjoy it

best wishes
james

Lee said:

Just wondered how you regulars motivate yourselves - or is it just a habit?

Partly just habit, partly through making sure that the alternatives are worse!

Just had a lovely MTB ride home in the sunset, had a quick chat and cold drink with the owner of a
hilltop cafe who recognized me (very quick chat as my Japanese isn't up to much). And to think, I
could have had an hour twiddling my thumbs on trains and buses.

James

Lee <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Just wondered how you regulars motivate yourselves - or is it just a habit?

After a while it just becomes a habit and you don't even think about it any more. Often you look out
the window and see awful weather but find it's not so bad when you are actually riding.

Nice warm clothes and good lights help lots. There's no fun if you are cold and can't see what you
are doing.

Some good cheap(ish) lights are the Smart ones 2.5W and 10W, about 35 quid mail order.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune clune.orgclune.orgOpen ↗ "Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

"James Annan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Partly just habit, partly through making sure that the alternatives are worse!

I really need to sell my car then!

Quoted message said:

Just had a lovely MTB ride home in the sunset, had a quick chat and cold drink with the owner of a
hilltop cafe who recognized me (very quick chat as my Japanese isn't up to much). And to think, I
could have had an hour twiddling my thumbs on trains and buses.

James

See, there isnt really anything like that on my way home - its all very road orientated.

to be fair I love the rides home at sunset - its nice

Lee

"Arthur Clune" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After a while it just becomes a habit and you don't even think about it any more. Often you look
out the window and see awful weather but find it's not so bad when you are actually riding.

Nice warm clothes and good lights help lots. There's no fun if you are cold and can't see what you
are doing.

Some good cheap(ish) lights are the Smart ones 2.5W and 10W, about 35 quid mail order.

Arthur

I got some nice Cat Eye lights (unused as yet ;-) )

I am currently finding it hard to judge just how hot i will get - last nights ride home i donned the
fleecey jacket and was sweating like a pee eye gee! Whereas this AM i was considering going without
my jacket and im glad i decided to wear it!

Lee said:

"James Annan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Partly just habit, partly through making sure that the alternatives are worse!

I really need to sell my car then!

It certainly helps not having one. But even when I did (in the UK), I cycled almost every day
anyway, mostly through habit. The car trip was marginally faster than cycling but still every
traffic jam is annoying. For me, it's a lifestyle thing, I enjoy being fit (and do some competitive
cycling too) so it's a very natural to have a daily cycling commute and I choose where to live and
work based partly on that premise. Very occasionally, I really don't feel like it...but as I said,
the alternative is worse and I always regret taking it!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Just had a lovely MTB ride home in the sunset,

See, there isnt really anything like that on my way home - its all very road orientated.

Wasn't for me either, until I moved here!

James

"James Annan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I really need to sell my car then!

It certainly helps not having one. But even when I did (in the UK), I cycled almost every day
anyway, mostly through habit. The car trip was marginally faster than cycling but still every
traffic jam is annoying. For me, it's a lifestyle thing, I enjoy being fit (and do some
competitive cycling too) so it's a very natural to have a daily cycling commute and I choose where
to live and work based partly on that premise. Very occasionally, I really don't feel like
it...but as I said, the alternative is worse and I always regret taking it!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Just had a lovely MTB ride home in the sunset,

See, there isnt really anything like that on my way home - its all very

road

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

orientated.

Wasn't for me either, until I moved here!

James

So whereabouts are you now a days? Could use some nice sights on my commute (other than the odd
female driver stuck at lights :-) )

Lee said:

So whereabouts are you now a days? Could use some nice sights on my commute (other than the odd
female driver stuck at lights :-) )

This is my off-road commute, coincidentally with pictures from almost exactly 2 years ago:

ne.jpindex.htmlOpen ↗

I wouldn't really recommend you come here just for the riding though! The computer at the bottom of
that page seems to be making minor headlines in the UK at the moment:

news.bbc.co.uk3152564.stmOpen ↗

which explains why I am riding my single bike today and not the tandem as we usually do...

James

"Lee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

As some of you will know I am a new commuter (although Ive been doing it

for

Quoted message said:

nearly 2 months now)!

This morning was hard. I REALLY couldnt be bothered to ride in ! I did anyway but found it hard. I
need some ideas on how to motivate myself!! I suspect one of the reasons why I felt a lack of
motivation is that its fairly dark in a morning now - although by the time i leave the house its
brighter (bout 7.25ish). The mist/fog probably didnt help much either!

It's a difficult thing to describe, but I have to get up at 0515 when I'm on morning shift and pass
a perfectly good car in the drive. First thing I do is get to bed early, I have a few beers and
turn in around 2045. I find then that I wake up earlier than I need and do not have to be wakened
by an alarm clock.

After a shower I suss out the weather and dress accordingly. I am still in shorts even though it
was only 6 deg C yesterday. Just got a new Gore Future jersey and Gore Jacket which are fantastic,
but the most important item for me is my MD player with AM/FM radio. When I set off it's 0545 and I
tune into "Wake up to money" on R5 Live.

I picture the poor sods who have to get up at the same time I do and queue up on some ghastly
suburban train station near Basingstoke or wherever and sit next to someone yakking into their
mobile for the tedious journey into the big smoke.

After a slice of toast with Marmite and poached egg + coffee, I head to the empty streets. This is
the best time of the day as I head 12 miles east. The morning sky is at the moment just barely
getting light , but Jupiter is just visible rising with Leo. After I get to work I see the car
drivers in the car park wearily trudging off to their offices and I feel fantastic. Advantage 1.

Advantage 2 is that when I head home at 1400 I couldn't care less if there's a traffic jam, speed
trap or road works - none of these affects me in the slightest. (3) I can choose off road routes
home as well, like along the banks of the Humber, unavailable to car drivers.

(4) I choose my own speed, I don't feel hassled by someone riding 2 feet from my back end. (5) I
save a bomb in fuel - On 15 OCT 03, I aim to crack 5 000 miles for the year - that is around
550 quid a year in petrol- that's not counting brakes, tyres, depreciation, clutches,
servicing, exhausts etc.

(5) Those 5000 miles will have taken me 400 hours at 12.5 mph. At 350 Calories an hour that's 140
000 Calories I've burned which if one lb. of fat is equal to 3 500 Cals is 40 lbs. or nearly 3
stones of fat I've kept off and I eat normally and drink beer like a fish.

(6) My bum and legs are now very toned and taut (if I say so myself) and
(7) it's a fantastic feeling being fit. Bombing along at 20 mph next to someone smoking in a car is
a great sensation.

(8) My unfortunate colleague suffered a heart attack and stroke last month (he's on the mend) - I am
reducing my risk of these diseases as well as diabetes etc. You are setting an example to your
colleagues without ramming the message down their throats. I've inspired at least two myself.

These are just a few reasons, but read these wise words from the sadly recently departed Ken Kifer
kenkifer.comquadrupl.htmOpen ↗
kenkifer.comwhy.htmOpen ↗

Keep going!

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Lee <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I am currently finding it hard to judge just how hot i will get - last

Problem of the time of year. I've got it wrong everynight this week (been extending the commute home
this week)

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune clune.orgclune.orgOpen ↗ "Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It's a difficult thing to describe, but I have to get up at 0515 when I'm
on morning shift and pass a perfectly good car in the drive. First thing I
do is get to bed early, I have a few beers and turn in around 2045. I find
then that I wake up earlier than I need and do not have to be wakened by

an

Quoted message said:

alarm clock.

I dont normally get to bed/sleep till 11.30ish (up at about 6.20) maybe i should get more sleep!!!

Quoted message said:

After a shower I suss out the weather and dress accordingly. I am still

in

Quoted message said:

shorts even though it was only 6 deg C yesterday. Just got a new Gore

Future

Quoted message said:

jersey and Gore Jacket which are fantastic, but the most important item

for

Quoted message said:

me is my MD player with AM/FM radio. When I set off it's 0545 and I tune into "Wake up to money"
on R5 Live.

My MP3 Player is one of the best things about my trip - tho i do miss the radio. I got one of those
mini AM/FM radios - tuner on it is a bit useless but might give it a go tonight!

Quoted message said:

I picture the poor sods who have to get up at the same time I do and

queue

Quoted message said:

up on some ghastly suburban train station near Basingstoke or wherever and sit next to someone
yakking into their mobile for the tedious journey into the big smoke.

That is a nice thought - ill try that one!

Quoted message said:

After a slice of toast with Marmite and poached egg + coffee, I head to

the

Quoted message said:

empty streets. This is the best time of the day as I head 12 miles east.

The

Quoted message said:

morning sky is at the moment just barely getting light , but Jupiter is

just

Quoted message said:

visible rising with Leo. After I get to work I see the car drivers in the car park wearily
trudging off to their offices and I feel fantastic. Advantage 1.

Good one. Good point, no argument!

Quoted message said:

Advantage 2 is that when I head home at 1400 I couldn't care less if there's a traffic jam, speed
trap or road works - none of these affects me in the slightest.

Aye, i dont finish here till 5.15 and traffic is busy but it doesnt bother me!

(3) I can choose off road routes home as well, like along

Quoted message said:

the banks of the Humber, unavailable to car drivers.

See that would be nice if i had that choice - i dont unfortunately

Quoted message said:

(4) I choose my own speed, I don't feel hassled by someone riding 2 feet
from my back end. (5) I save a bomb in fuel - On 15 OCT 03, I aim to crack

5

Quoted message said:

000 miles for the year - that is around 550 quid a year in petrol- that's not counting brakes,
tyres, depreciation, clutches, servicing, exhausts

etc.

Definitely agree on the fuel thing - thats one of my major motivations for ditching the car!

Quoted message said:

(6) Those 5000 miles will have taken me 400 hours at 12.5 mph. At 350 Calories an hour that's 140
000 Calories I've burned which if one lb. of

fat

Quoted message said:

is equal to 3 500 Cals is 40 lbs. or nearly 3 stones of fat I've kept off and I eat normally and
drink beer like a fish.

I eat quite a bit (but not excessively) - unfortunately i eat rubbish mainly! Must address that.

Dont drink much (only at weekends)

Quoted message said:

(7) My bum and legs are now very toned and taut (if I say so myself) and
(8) it's a fantastic feeling being fit. Bombing along at 20 mph next to someone smoking in a car
is a great sensation.

The on a bike watching a lard [censored] in a car is nice - that IS a good feeling!

Quoted message said:

(9) My unfortunate colleague suffered a heart attack and stroke last month (he's on the mend) - I
am reducing my risk of these diseases as well as diabetes etc. You are setting an example to
your colleagues without

ramming

Quoted message said:

the message down their throats. I've inspired at least two myself.

mmm, i do feel smug when I get to work - and I feel like id be letting myself down if i
"Car'd" it in!

Quoted message said:

Keep going!

I fully intend to - I am not letting anything get in my way of achieving my goal! For years ive said
i would love to ditch my car - now ive got the perfect opportunity to do it and it isnt going to
pass me by! I must admit, cycling in on a cold morning is amazing, watching everyone wake up and
turning the heaters on in their cars ;-), oh i used to be one of them, dont think i could face going
back to that......

Thanks for the words of support!

jacobxray said:

sadly also if i feel demotivated, i buy a present for my bike, some new kit always makes me want
to ride my bike more.

Ain't that the truth?

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

to err is human, to lisp divine ;; attributed to Kim Philby, oddly enough.

"Lee" wrote

Quoted message said:

Just wondered how you regulars motivate yourselves - or is it just a

habit?

Working out a few different routes might help. Longer but more scenic might be better. Or try
pushing it hard and getting a buzz from the exercise. Maybe get one of those cycle computer things
to see how fast you go or a heart rate monitor to watch your fitness progress.

Do you just ride to work or do you ride recreationally as well? It must be easier to start commuting
if you already ride for enjoyment rather than jumping straight into it from scratch.

Simon Mason said:

Keep going!

And bear in mind that a few years ago Simon Mason took up cycling just for a one-off long distance
challenge, he wasn't going to start doing it regularly or anything...:-)

(at least, that's how I remember it)

James

Lee said:

The on a bike watching a lard [censored] in a car is nice - that IS a good feeling!

Better is overtaking 3-4 cars between the traffic lights and the roundabout on the downhill section
of one of my routes.

"Marc" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Better is overtaking 3-4 cars between the traffic lights and the roundabout on the downhill
section of one of my routes.

Touche!

James Annan said:

And bear in mind that a few years ago Simon Mason took up cycling just for a one-off long distance
challenge, he wasn't going to start doing it regularly or anything...:-)

(at least, that's how I remember it)

Rings a bell with me, too, James. :-0

BTW, it looks like a lovely part of the world you live in. At least, it does according to
ne.jpindex.htmlOpen ↗

James

--
"Sorry mate, I didn't see you" is not a satisfactory excuse.