Staying Motivated

[old_gregg]

I bought a bike in May, and have put fewer than 400 miles on it. I will usually go out for 50-60 with my parents, who kick my ass, on the weekends, but then I'm too burned out during the week and make excuses to not find the time. How do y'all stay motivated? Why do you wake up at 5:30 on weekdays to ride?

[ERCougar]

There are much better people to answer this than me, but whenever I get unmotivated either running or cycling, I take an easy workout. You get the same health benefits from an easy workout as a hard one and it keeps you moving. Just go out for an easy slow ride. Go somewhere fun or scenic. Just enjoy the movement.

[bluegoose]

I really don't think about it much, I just do it. But there are a couple of things that get me out of bed every morning, aside from my ever-expanding waist line and love of all baked goods.

My weekend group rides are a big motivator for me. I hate getting dropped by the group, so I know that the harder that I work during the week the better I will do on the weekend. So if getting lit up by your parents isn't enough motivation, consider finding another group to ride with.

I also do much, much better if I know that someone is going to be waiting at the corner for me at 5:45. If it were just me going solo in the morning, I guaran-darn-tee you I would be hitting the snooze about 4 times before I actual got up, soon realizing that its too late to get anything meaningful done and then roll over for another hour of sleep.

[RC Vikings]

I strip down and go look in the mirror but if that doesn't work for you then find a group to ride with once a week. Like Goose said the thought of getting dropped on your weekly group ride is a great motivator to stay in shape.

[Clark Addison]

I strip down and go look in the mirror but if that doesn't work for you then find a group to ride with once a week. Like Goose said the thought of getting dropped on your weekly group ride is a great motivator to stay in shape.

That's actually a good idea, and I may try it. Could you send me a picture of yourself stripped down, and I'll see if it helps?

TIA

[mtnbiker]

I get out at lunchtime and ride for an hour or so. It feels great to get out and it breaks up the day. Can't get a real long ride in, but enough to do some good.