Motivation

Jeremy Collins said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

I don't look at it like thatit's just a decision you make. Decide a time
you're going for a ride, the time comes, you get on your bike, off you go -
simple. You can decide to go or not to go. It shouldn't be a very difficult
decision to make in the big scheme of things. ?y

"Jeremy Collins" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

1) I look at my 30 in waist and ask myself if I want to chuck all of the
fitness and health away that I've worked hard for, just for the sake of
being lazy and greedy. Then I get out on the bike, after which I can reward
myself with some beer :-)

2) Although it's hard to haul my carcass out of bed at 0515 for a 12 mile
ride into work on a cold winter's day, I do so for several reasons. If I
crack and take the car today, then no doubt I would do the same tomorrow, as
it still would be dark and cold then. In any case, I know that in 15-20
minutes I'll be glad I did. The biggest step is the one out the door.

3) My colleagues at work would jeer and laugh at me if I wasn't on the bike
and I need to be a role model and example to people to show them that they
don't have to be unfit and obese if they don't want to be. That and the smug
feeling I get when someone tries to put me off by saying that it must be too
windy and cold for me. I can just smile and tell them that I've been through
much worse and today is a doddle.

4) I can look forward to summer when I can do a bit of posing in the lycra
gear for the local golf widows in their Mercs ;-)

5) I joined a club and if I say I will be at the bus stop at 0800 on
Saturday, then I've *got* to be there or big Derek will give me an earful.

6) My home commute is something to look forward to, even in winter. No
worries about jams and hold ups anymore.

7) I can listen to music/radio to enhance my riding experience.

8) It saves loads of money - I only have one car and it spends most of its
time on the driveway.

9) The fact that I am so lucky to be able to cycle. Many people are too ill
or have a physical disability so that they can't. Every day that I'm out on
the bike is precious as there will be a time when I won't be able to either.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

Jeremy Collins said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

look in the mirror (especially ATM)
look at my non-cycling brother
enter La Marmotte and various 400's

err that's it.

Jeremy Collins said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

I haven't been out on the bike in *ages* - the last "serious" ride I can
remember doing was a 100K audax around Cambridgeshire. On-road,
off-road, I don't care which, and I know I'll feel great when I'm out
and after I get back, but I just can't make the first move.

I managed to keep cycling all through last winter, but the only exercise
I'm doing at the moment is treadmill and weights which just doesn't give
you that wonderful fresh-air, wholesome, one-with-nature feeling that
cycling does.

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Cheers,

I perfected the art of self distraction when I stopped smoking a few
years back. Basically; if there's something you are having trouble with
- just before the point where it becomes a problem, you mentally tap
yourself on the shoulder and shout "Hey - look at that over there!".
Whilst your inner-self looks for "it", you do whatever it is you were
having trouble with - in your case jump on your bike and start riding.
Works for me every time 🙂

--
Chris

Jeremy Collins said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Find a cycling mate and arrange to meet them. Then you
have to go or you let someone else down.

Other things that motive me currently

1) The club 100km reliability ride on the first Sunday
in Feb. This isn't long and I need to get a fair bit fitter

2) The Fred Whitton Challenge in May. Long way to go fitness
wise for that.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune

Quoted message said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Decide to take the bus, but take too long getting ready and forced to take
the (quicker) bike instead.

A couple of days worth of hanging around for public transport and then
failing to get a seat does it for me.

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

Quoted message said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

I haven't been out on the bike in *ages* - the last "serious" ride I can
remember doing was a 100K audax around Cambridgeshire. On-road, off-road,
I don't care which, and I know I'll feel great when I'm out and after I
get back, but I just can't make the first move.

I managed to keep cycling all through last winter, but the only exercise
I'm doing at the moment is treadmill and weights which just doesn't give
you that wonderful fresh-air, wholesome, one-with-nature feeling that
cycling does.

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Cheers,

--
jc

Remove the -not from email

Simon Mason said:

"Jeremy Collins" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

1) I look at my 30 in waist and ask myself if I want to chuck all of the
fitness and health away that I've worked hard for, just for the sake of
being lazy and greedy. Then I get out on the bike, after which I can reward
myself with some beer :-)

I look at my 3x inch waist and wonder why I chucked all that health and
fitness away. And I hate doing nothing. It is easier to be motivated to
do many things than to just try to do one.

Quoted message said:

2) Although it's hard to haul my carcass out of bed at 0515 for a 12 mile
ride into work on a cold winter's day, I do so for several reasons. If I
crack and take the car today, then no doubt I would do the same tomorrow, as
it still would be dark and cold then. In any case, I know that in 15-20
minutes I'll be glad I did. The biggest step is the one out the door.

Agreed, though in my case I cycle to work because it is quicker and
easier than driving. And quicker than walking. The hard part is heading
out the door in the evenings in winter to get a 10-20 mile ride in.

Quoted message said:

3) My colleagues at work would jeer and laugh at me if I wasn't on the bike
and I need to be a role model and example to people to show them that they
don't have to be unfit and obese if they don't want to be. That and the smug
feeling I get when someone tries to put me off by saying that it must be too
windy and cold for me. I can just smile and tell them that I've been through
much worse and today is a doddle.

After two years of doing virtually nothing I shed a serious amount of
weight (15kg) and had comments from many people.

Quoted message said:

5) I joined a club and if I say I will be at the bus stop at 0800 on
Saturday, then I've *got* to be there or big Derek will give me an earful.

My family are at the most awkward age for getting time for long rides.
DD will be doign football training on Sat mornings so I can't make the
club runs (not that I made it to many anyway). She'll probably be
cycling there and back though.

Quoted message said:

6) My home commute is something to look forward to, even in winter. No
worries about jams and hold ups anymore.

What fuel crisis?

Quoted message said:

7) I can listen to music/radio to enhance my riding experience.

I listen to the wildlife, the wind in my ears and the sound of the
tyres on the tarmac. Peace and quiet on the little roads round here.

Quoted message said:

8) It saves loads of money - I only have one car and it spends most of its
time on the driveway.

s/driveway/garage/ s/garage/bikestore/

ditto.

Quoted message said:

9) The fact that I am so lucky to be able to cycle. Many people are too ill
or have a physical disability so that they can't. Every day that I'm out on
the bike is precious as there will be a time when I won't be able to either.

I went out last night around 8.30 having not had much cycling over the
christmas break. Down the hill to Invergowrie, Longforgan, up through
Knapp, over to Abernyte and back via Inchture. It started to rain as I
went through Longforgan, there was still plenty of snow around,
especially higher up, but I absolutely loved it. Not pushing at all and
being very cautious on the descents so it took a tortoise-like two
hours, but I felt so good after the first few miles, and even better
when I had cruised up through Knapp (the new low gears really help, and
I didn't need the 26).

The hard part is getting out through the door. I don't really dislike
riding in the rain as long as I am warm so no real excuses weatherwise.

...d

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

Quoted message said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

I haven't been out on the bike in *ages* - the last "serious" ride I can
remember doing was a 100K audax around Cambridgeshire. On-road, off-road,
I don't care which, and I know I'll feel great when I'm out and after I
get back, but I just can't make the first move.

I managed to keep cycling all through last winter, but the only exercise
I'm doing at the moment is treadmill and weights which just doesn't give
you that wonderful fresh-air, wholesome, one-with-nature feeling that
cycling does.

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

I go into similar motivational holes occasionally -- I'm in one at the
moment. Normally getting out of the hole is fairly easy. Pick a nice fine
day, get on the bike and do a fairly standard route -- in my case 20 odd
miles.

Come home, shower, relax and enjoy.

The endorphins are so nice that I normally find I'm ready for the next ride
a day or two later -- then the problem is finding time to do other thing as
cycling takes up a good slice of the day.

Motivation not required -- endorphins do the rest.

Tony

Great post Simon, really liked that!

--
Mark
_______________________________________
Nerves of Steel, Heart of Gold, Knob of Butter

"David Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

3) My colleagues at work would jeer and laugh at me if I wasn't on the
bike
and I need to be a role model and example to people to show them that
they
don't have to be unfit and obese if they don't want to be. That and the
smug
feeling I get when someone tries to put me off by saying that it must be
too
windy and cold for me. I can just smile and tell them that I've been
through
much worse and today is a doddle.

After two years of doing virtually nothing I shed a serious amount of
weight (15kg) and had comments from many people.

Usually anything to try and put you off.

"Don't be an idiot, come in your car tomorrow".
"Don't you think it's unsafe to cycle with all of the muck on the roads?"
"It's blowing a gale out there - do you want me to give you a lift home?"
"Have you seen this survey which shows that cyclists are more at risk of a
heart attack due to diesel fumes? - my car's got an air filter which stops
particulates getting in."
"Hey lycra lout! Look at all the cyclists who kill pedestrains in today's
paper"
"You can take that yellow wristband off now - he was a cheat".
"I've got airbags to protect me - you'll end up under a lorry"

Roughly transated to "you skinny git, I hate you and would love it if you
were 17 stone like me."

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

Simon Mason said:

"David Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

After two years of doing virtually nothing I shed a serious amount of
weight (15kg) and had comments from many people.

Usually anything to try and put you off.

"Don't be an idiot, come in your car tomorrow".

I live less than 20 mins walk from the lab.. At least 20% of the staff
cycle, a similar proportion can walk. Never had that at all.

Quoted message said:

"Don't you think it's unsafe to cycle with all of the muck on the roads?"

Not had that either.

Quoted message said:

"It's blowing a gale out there - do you want me to give you a lift home?"

The few who drive are out the other side of town or have a different
schedule to me. The excuse is that it would either take longer to take
the bike in the car, or I would have to walk in the next day.

Quoted message said:

"Have you seen this survey which shows that cyclists are more at risk of a
heart attack due to diesel fumes? - my car's got an air filter which stops
particulates getting in."

We are an academic lab. They have half a chance of actually
understanding the stats and realising why they are bogus.

Quoted message said:

"Hey lycra lout! Look at all the cyclists who kill pedestrains in today's
paper"

Lycra? At work? Only if I have gone to a meeting further away. I must
admit to being putto shame by a colleague from St Andrews who cycled
over for a meeting. In the lab there are about a dozen of us. Over half
are (or were) cycle commuters. Most of the others walk. Only one person
is a full time car commuter and we may be able to change his habits
come the summer (I have an open promise to fettle his bike for him).
His reasonable excuse is that he lives at the top of a hill, about 300m
above the lab. Four have completed centuries, two have done major
cross-continental cycle tours. Two have done Audax.

Quoted message said:

"You can take that yellow wristband off now - he was a cheat".

What wristband? Tis a biology lab working on proteins - see caveats
about stats, same applies to electrophoresis measurements.

Quoted message said:

"I've got airbags to protect me - you'll end up under a lorry"

The only one of my former colleagues who has been killed in a road
accident was the filling in a juggernaught sandwich on the M1. He was
in a fiesta or some such and the truck coming off the sliproad ran in
to the back of the truck in front of him.

Quoted message said:

Roughly transated to "you skinny git, I hate you and would love it if you
were 17 stone like me."

I'm the fat one in the lab ;-(

...d

in message <[email hidden]>, Jeremy Collins

(') said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

I haven't been out on the bike in *ages* - the last "serious" ride I
can remember doing was a 100K audax around Cambridgeshire. On-road,
off-road, I don't care which, and I know I'll feel great when I'm out
and after I get back, but I just can't make the first move.

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

For me, under normal circumstances, three main motivations:

(i) Because I need to go into town (about 16 miles round trip) for
something;
(ii) Because I've arranged to go out with friends;
(iii) Because I don't want my leg amputated yet.

If you have no particular health problems, may I commend #2 as a
motivator? Find yourself a bunch of friends to ride with. Your local
cycling club might be a good place to start.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; L'etat c'est moi -- Louis XVI
;; I... we... the Government -- Tony Blair

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 15:04:04 GMT, Jeremy Collins
<[email hidden]> said in
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

In the mirror, right about the bit where the lard accumulates :-D

Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

Jeremy Collins said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

GET OUT THERE AND RIDE YOUR BIKE BEFORE WE SEND THE BOYS ROUND!

Jeremy Collins said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

We've got internal newsgroups at work, with a cycling ng. So we chat
about it. Populated by 'bent riders, singlespeed nuts, several road
racers & audax types, plenty of commuters and the occasional student or
Indian wanting a cheap runabout for a few months. The chatter keeps it
to the forefront of my mind.

I also read here regularly, and the Cycling Plus forum.

I subscribe to Cycling Plus for interest, articles on health diet
maintenance and so on, and to drool over exotica and wonder whether my
dream bike will be titanium or carbon fibre.

I've also invested in a couple of nice bikes. Not outrageously
expensive, a secondhand recumbent and an On-One Pompino, but different
and fun enough that I want to go & ride them. Never gonna get your rocks
off on a poorly fitting wrong-purpose lump.

Having got out on a bike I enjoy riding, it becomes self-sustaining & I
don't want to drive. A month off the bikes means forcing myself back on,
but 2 days of it means not wanting to drive again.

Phil

Jeremy Collins said:

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Onto a bike? Surely a bicycle is a thing of beauty to be hung on the
living room wall and admired. Where on earth did you get this idea that
you are supposed to ride it? ;-)

--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham

I have no problem of motivation. I have this desire to stay alive.

After a fairly normal adult hood when I was reasonably fit ( i.e. not
"sports" fit), I took up cycling again in late 2003, after some 45 years,
as an aid to my dietary control of my type 2 diabetes at the age of 66
years.

I was amazed that my self imposed training schedule to enable me to cycle
from my home to Santiago de Compostela ( camping all the way -- I have
always been a camper anyway) quietly became a new way of life. Since
December 2003 to date I have cycled over 10,000 miles.Nothing outstanding.
Daily shopping trips and training runs with a mean speed about 10 mph, in
average bumpy South Yorkshire. 2005 saw me bashing down the Donau Radweg to
Budapest and back -- 51 days away from home and 49 days in my tent.

But in the last two years I did less than 2,000 miles each year in my car
and I was enjoying life again.

Cycling isn't always fun. Sometimes it is hitting your head against a brick
wall -- just to enjoy it when it stops!

On 12 Dec my bike was stolen despite being locked up and for the last 3
weeks I have been bikeless, and missed out on some excellent winter cycling
weather. I ordered my new "Velocepanther" today, together with all its
accessories and things I know I need.

I am amazed at how much the loss effected my well set daily routine and I am
looking forward to being on the road again -- in the primary position.

By the way -- I find driving my small Suzuki Swift probably more dangerous
than riding my velo!

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
Remove PSANTISPAM to reply
"Jeremy Collins" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

I haven't been out on the bike in *ages* - the last "serious" ride I can
remember doing was a 100K audax around Cambridgeshire. On-road, off-road,
I don't care which, and I know I'll feel great when I'm out and after I
get back, but I just can't make the first move.

I managed to keep cycling all through last winter, but the only exercise
I'm doing at the moment is treadmill and weights which just doesn't give
you that wonderful fresh-air, wholesome, one-with-nature feeling that
cycling does.

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Cheers,

--
jc

Remove the -not from email

Jeremy Collins said:

I need it! Where do you fine fellows get it?!?

I haven't been out on the bike in *ages* - the last "serious" ride I can
remember doing was a 100K audax around Cambridgeshire. On-road,
off-road, I don't care which, and I know I'll feel great when I'm out
and after I get back, but I just can't make the first move.

I managed to keep cycling all through last winter, but the only exercise
I'm doing at the moment is treadmill and weights which just doesn't give
you that wonderful fresh-air, wholesome, one-with-nature feeling that
cycling does.

So, how do you motivate yourself onto the bike...?

Cheers,

I love the wonderful fresh-air, wholesome, one-with-nature feeling.
Isn't that motivating enough ?