Yeah, I know, the doldrums are associated with hot weather, and it’s actually starting to get a bit cool around here now. But given the way my biking has been going over the last few weeks, I think I qualify for being in at least the biking doldrums.
I’ll blame it on my century ride. Leading up to that ride, I worked hard to put in the mileage that would allow me to finish it without struggling. I got stronger on hills, my endurance improved, my weight dropped (a little bit). It was fun to see how many miles I rode in a given month. I was in the mid-300s in July and August.
After the century, I no longer felt the urgency to get out and ride. I still tried to ride often, but found it easy to make excuses: Since the crash in October, I haven’t been motivated to go out on the Sunday morning rides with the club, Daylight Saving Time is ending, it’s getting chillier during the times I prefer to ride, I’m just not up for it today, etc. That’s really had an impact on my riding in November. My weight, too. I’m up about seven pounds.
After a 12-mile ride today, I made my usual visit to Bike Journal, where I entered my mileage figures. No 300 miles this month. My whopping total for November is 132. (At least I got out today. On Thanksgiving, we went to the fitness club where Mrs. Noob belongs, and I “rode” a stationary bike. Whoopee.)
Hey, I’m not Mr. Hardcore. I’ll get out there as the spirit moves me. I bundled up today to deal with a stiff wind. But I think I’m in the maintenance mode for awhile. Around February, I expect to step it up as I start getting ready for the MS 150 in April. On the plus side, Austin’s winters are mild enough that we can get out on the bike all year around.
Apertome says
I hear you, I have been a lot less motivated lately as well. But here are a couple of points that help me with motivation sometimes.
1. If I slack off too badly during the winter, it’ll take a long time in the spring for me to get up to speed again, and that’s no fun at all!
2. Even if I have a hard time motivating myself to GET outside, once I do start riding, I always enjoy myself. I can’t think of a single ride, in any conditions, where I rode, but wished I hadn’t. I always have fun, once I get out there. So long as you have the right clothing, any weather can be riding weather.