Hey, we’ve all been there at some point…or at least I have.
You’re a few years into this whole cycling thing, maybe even competed in a few local races, have logged hundreds, if not thousands of miles, and then you hit that wall.
At first, it’s not that noticeable. You miss that morning ride with your friend because you were up late. But then you miss the next one as well. A few weeks go by, and you’ve barely ridden at all.
Yep, you’re losing motivation.
This can happen to anyone, and there are several different underlying factors, sometimes serious, sometimes not.
If this sounds like you, or sounds like it could be you eventually, it’s time to get informed on not only how to get motivated and back in the saddle, but when to identify when you’re motivation is slipping in the first place — and what to do about it.
Signs You’re Losing Motivation
Everyone’s different, but there are a handful of common indicators that point to a loss of motivation, even when you may not even realize it at first.
- Skipping Rides – This likely the most common one. It’s so easy to cop out of that early morning ride before work, or that long ride you like to take on the weekend. At first you may say it’s only temporary, but things can snowball fast.
- Shortening Rides – Perhaps you’re still going on your rides, but you’re cutting them short instead. This can be because you’re not feeling it, are lacking energy, or are simply kinda over it.
- Showing Up Unprepared – Showing up to a ride unprepared shows that you’re not taking it as seriously as you were before. This can include not getting a proper meal in before, not bringing all your gear, showing up tired, etc.
- Letting Equipment Deteriorate – We cyclists like to keep our gear in prime condition. In fact, many of us obsess over it. When your motivation is slipping, those maintenance days on Sunday afternoons can fade away, and your bike’s components can start to suffer.
- Eating Poorly – Avid cyclists know that proper nutrition extends beyond just riding days. Making poor decisions in terms of diet during the week carries over to your rides, and shows that you don’t care enough to watch your diet enough to help your rides.
- Forgoing Sleep – This is similar to slipping on your diet. Getting poor sleep carries over, and leads to diminished energy and motivation in general, which can be a sign that you aren’t where you need to be in terms of your motivation.
Ways to Get Your Motivation Back
Here are some proactive ways to push yourself, putting you in a better position to regain that motivation you had before.
Enter an Event
There’s nothing like a looming competitive ride to get you back in gear. If you’re really down in terms of motivation, the best thing you can do sometimes is simply force yourself into it,
Signing up for an event is a great way to force yourself back into it. It’s one of those “oh crap” moments. As in “uh oh, I’ve got a 50 mile race in 5 weeks, and I haven’t ridden this entire month. Unless I want to look like a total fool, I need to get my butt in gear NOW.”
You’d be surprised how well this works.
Ride With Friends
Nothing like some accountability, huh? Tell your friends to stay on you about riding, and commit to a regular riding schedule with them. It’s hard to say no when you’ve got your friends calling and texting you throughout the week, planning your next ride.
Get A Coach
Hiring a riding coach is one of the best ways to get your motivation back. After all, you’re paying the person, and you have to answer to them. Yes, it’s absolutely a pride thing, but the ends justify the means.
Try New Workouts and Rides
Mix it up a bit. Quit trying the same riding trails and paths. Drive to another town if you have to. Try out some new workout routines to shake things up, and motivate yourself to test out your newfound strength and cardio levels on your bike.
Purchase New Equipment
We all love buying new stuff, regardless of what it’s for. Buy a new helmet, buy a new jersey, buy new shoes, buy a new saddle, heck, buy a brand new bike if you have to. Either way, you’ll be eager to get out there and test out your new gear. That’s ALWAYS fun.
How To Keep Your Motivation High Once You Start Cycling Again
Okay, so now you’ve got that spark back. Here’s how to keep it.
Set Long-Term Goals
This is the most obvious one. Treat it like a high score in a video game. Set a goal, exceed it, and set another. This could mean adding 10 miles to your current ride, or trying to beat your time by 3 minutes. Whatever works, just keep pushing, and be reasonable.
Get a Partner
It’s all about accountability. Find a new riing partner, or get back with an old one. Be honest and upfront about your situation, and hopefully they’ll hold you accountable, and keep you motivated for each upcoming ride.
Plan Ahead
Don’t leave things up to chance. It’s risky to be like, “I’m just going to wake up and see how I feel in the morning. But first, I need to catch up on Game of Thrones, I’m only 5 episodes behind.” Would you do that if you had to be at work at the same time as your ride?
Treat your ride like an appointment you can’t break. Go to bed earlier. Get your food ready for the morning. Set your coffee pot timer. Whatever you need to do. Set yourself up, and the rest will follow.
Reasons To Cycle This Winter
This is always a huge motivation killer. In most cases, riding in the winter can suck pretty badly, especially in the morning. This obviously depends on where you live, but the lower temps and shorter daytime hours happen regardless of where you are.
Guess what? Winter cycling requires some extra motivation. Consider these benefits:
You’ll Be Tougher and Stronger
Let’s be real here: winter riding is tough as hell in most cases. Get psyched up, realize that it’s not going to be as pleasant as your spring and summer rides, and just go for it. Make yourself deal with it. Eventually, you’ll wear it as a badge of pride, and it’ll get easier.
You’ll Stay Healthier
Everyone slacks off in the winter, whether you ride or not. Winter makes you more susceptible to getting sick, and a lack of energy as well. Staying on your bike keeps your immune system humming along, and keeps your fitness and energy levels up. Bring on that 5:45pm sunset.
You’ll Look Better
Again, most people tend to gain some winter weight. But not you, you bike in the winter, because you’re hardcore. You’re tougher than them, you’re more in shape, you feel better, and you look better. Enjoy those extra glances when everyone else is sucking in their stomachs.