Biking mojo lost – pitiful midlife crisis existential angst.

It sounds like you need a little more help than just a pootle on a bike mate... maybe a chat with a friendly GP will help a bit.

I went through something similar at 50. For me it was subconscious dwelling on the landmark of 50 and considering myself 'old', life passing you by leading to lethargy and depression, if I'm honest. It passes. I'm now going through it again at 60, probably with more justification.

I regularly struggle with similar issues - I'm 55.

Find something that makes you feel good - not eating chocolate or drinking whisky ;o)

When you've found that 'thing' - do it whenever and however you can. Move heaven and earth to make it happen and enjoy the benefits. When you're in a better place because of the 'thing' think about riding a bike again.

My 'thing' is being outside (I combine that with riding a bike) and I'm happy no matter what else is happening. Just being outside is my 'thing' that lifts my mood and makes me forget about the other sh1t.

Find that thing as soon as possible.

Get your testosterone, thyroid, vitamin D, blood sugar, insulin and blood pressure tested. Any issue with any of the above could cause you to feel sluggish.

Plus it's winter, not the nicest time of year for riding.

Speak with your GP and join your local gym / walking group etc.

Hope you're better soon. 👍

Where you based? Could you ride with some local singletrackers?

I think maybe talking to someone and helping reframe things in your own mind might be helpful

A mate got to 50 and decided he had (hopefully) 20-25 healthy years ahead of him - got himself fit, cut out negatively (soon to be ex wife), tried new sports ans activities, he's having a high old time, the git.

I intend to do the same, now I'm approaching 54, and just as soon as I've had last Aldi Lindor thing in this box....

Where you based? Could you ride with some local singletrackers?

Singletrackers don't actually ride you fool!

Regrettably 50? Surely better than dying without making 50

I (at 49) am finding that a move to other sports from just MTB has re-invigorated me in many ways - I am gravel/road day touring, paddling a canoe and wandering some hills a lot more. 4 years ago it was MtB, MtB, MtB and some paddling...)

All sounds hideously familiar...

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/exercise-addicts-how-do-you-cope-with-getting-old/

Alas I didn't find a solution

Can relate, was 50 last October.

I came at it, in a similar mind frame reading your OP.  Fortunately (?) for me I was 49 and at least three stone over weight...which ultimately helped me find the strength to be 'fit' and not 'fat' at 50.

I hit 50, three stones lighter but October lead into Christmas and old habits of lack of exercise x alcohol + chocolate = weight gain.

It took me 2 further months to kick myself back into gear and now I'm back firing on a fit and slim 2023.  Fingers crossed.

My weight has been a problem all my adult life, it's been tough but all of my making.  I'm hoping I've broke the cycle.

Stay positive @deluded.  Don't be too hard on yourself, try and find a little time for yourself and to slowly get back into an exercise routine.  Make small commitments each week to your own mental health and you'll soon be back into the routine.

As others have said, sun on your back will also help and hopefully that's just around the corner.

Try short bike rides on sunnier days. Focus on the nicer and more fun aspects. A few of those and your mojo will start to creep back.

get injured, and then you'll be counting down the days to get out,
3 weeks off, and i had a 45 min spin yesterday in my shorts sun on my face, today its p1ssing it down

or get a horse, you then have no choice but to go out and feed it morning and afternoon.

seriously, go get a health check at local GPs i was really run down this time last year, had various tests and all clear.

Remember, the better weather is coming ! Hopefully ! (as a wheelie bin blows over outside).

maybe a chat with a friendly GP

+1

I'm 50 this year and still a regular, enthusiastic and reasonably capable rider.

In terms of tips, my work actually involves behaviour change for healthier lifestyles, so I can offer a few which I think could help you:

- Set a day and time you're going riding and make yourself do it, think of it as compulsory, like work
- Repeat that for a number of weeks (8-12 perhaps), ideally with a riding companion for extra accountability
- Get everything ready the night before your ride (check your bike, lay your clothes out) to minimise faff & barriers on the day

I (at 49) am finding that a move to other sports from just MTB has re-invigorated me in many ways – I am gravel/road day touring, paddling a canoe and wandering some hills a lot more. 4 years ago it was MtB, MtB, MtB

Similar for me, can be good to mix things up.

I'm only going to be 44 this summer, and have really struggled with wanting to ride the last 12 months. It bothered me for a few months then decided I just wasn't going to let it. I still didn't want to ride, so did other stuff instead - mainly hiking and (stupidly most likely) started playing rugby again for a vets side. First holiday last summer without bikes (hiking in the Pyrenees) was amazing, and I'm really enjoying my rugby - although only 'rugby fit' enough to get through a half, and it takes me 2 weeks to feel like I can physically do it again. I'm now at the point where I am actually wanting to ride again - but I'm also happy to wait for better weather as I have other things to keep me sane! Exercise of any type helps keep the demons at bay, and as others have said - don't be hard on yoursef at all, it'll just make things worse in my experience.

– Set a day and time you’re going riding and make yourself do it, think of it as compulsory, like work
– Repeat that for a number of weeks (8-12 perhaps), ideally with a riding companion for extra accountability
– Get everything ready the night before your ride (check your bike, lay your clothes out) to minimise faff & barriers on the day

This is great advice, and how I started the journey back.  I;

Created a Google Calendar, and set out my exercise for the week every Sunday.  Once it in the diary, all rubber stamped by wife and worked around family stuff.  It was happening and I kept myself accountable.

This year I did 30 for 30 to get my going after Christmas.  Simply 30 mins of exercise for 30 days straight.  A bit much at times as the 30 mins was minimum and would find that I'd do long rides, long gym sessions, runs and walks.  If I was tired, I'd reduce the intensity and just do the 30 mins.  Kept me accountable and was a great month and felt great at the end of it.

My weight has been a problem all my adult life, it’s been tough but all of my making. I’m hoping I’ve broke the cycle.

This is my biggest challenge. And 100% it has a direct impact on my desire to do stuff as my weight massively affects my anxiety/depression, that then negatively impacts my activity, which only exacerbates the issue further. Vicious cycle and very draining. Please excuse all puns. having someone else to pedal with , though, is always better IMHO. Now, if I could just get over the anxiety hurdle of going and meeting up with some for when chum #1 is unavailable that would be great...on't hold your breath but you have to laugh 😂
Great advice already in this thread, deffo speak to someone and get yourself a health MOT, oh and I'll be 50 too this year ☺

get injured, and then you’ll be counting down the days to get out,

This worked for me*. Proper spannered myself and was unable to ride for nine months.

Every time I think about not going out for some made up reason I think back to how desperate I was to ride when I couldn't.
I'll be 55 in a few weeks time.

On a more serious note try just riding to the shops/cafe/pub/mates house. No need to get dressed up in any bike clothing just chuck a lid on and grab your bike.
It doesn't matter how long or short just ride.
Don't set any targets or goals. Just jump on a bike for the feeling of riding.

*may not be advisable to others.

My rule when I was struggling was "just 5 minutes". That was 5 mins of riding a bike, cleaning the house, looking for a job, anything other then the directionless paralysis that I was living in for most of the time. So for riding a bike, it was OK to get to the end of the road, decide that I wasn't feeling it and come home. "Just 5 minutes" was OK and I could count it as a success and having done something that day. Sometimes it would actually be "just 5 minutes" but sometimes I'd feel the (metaphorical) wind on my back and carry on pedalling, cleaning, filling in job applications for longer. These days I'm in a better place mentally but reckon I've got 10-15 'good' summers left in me to do properly active stuff (late 50s at the mo) so my motivation is along the lines of "use it or lose it". If I have the option to go for a ride then I will because tomorrow/next week/next year I might not be able to, and I'll be kicking myself for not taking the chance during these last precious years of fitness and ability.

I'm 62 and was feeling a bit like that,losing weight (6 kilos so far) combined with eating better and riding more has made a massive difference to how I feel both physically and mentally, I started using Noom after reading something about on here and it has really helped me to stay motivated.

If there's somewhere nice local you can ride to in ~15mins, just go and see what happens when you get there... At worst, you turn around and head home.

turn off teh internet. try a few different things.

half the battle is going in the first place.

I get the weekly 'word' from Singletrack and last week @stwhannah wrote of 'bimbling' about on a bike, just a local leisurely ride, I can really relate to this, sometimes I find it hard to find the time and / or motivation to do a 'proper ride', but hopping on the bike with no particular destination, just doing it for the sake of movement and headspace, helps me a lot.

I'm in my 50s, too, a weird age of looking back and forward at the same time, and keepin on moving -- riding -- gives me time to reflect, on what's gone before, as well as thinking forward, to what's yet to come--and I hope staying vaguely bike-fit in the process for the time when the weather, time and mind-set all come together in harmony for me to do the bigger, longed-for trips I can't do now.

Sometimes I just wheel the bike out the garage and give it a wash, or read a map or guide to plan a new future route, or watch a YouTube bike-packing video, read Singletrack (or Cranked 🙂 ) -- it's all a way of 'cycling' through the mind, keeping me moving mentally, when things are conspiring against me.

I know I just need to get out and ride,

Get your kit ready and make sure your bike is in good order. Put your kit in a “bag for life” and when the mood takes you, just go. The hardest part is getting out the door.

I’m 53 this year and can definitely relate to the feeling of slowing down and loosing the enthusiasm of youth but I’m determined to fight it while I can.
Cycling for me is my motivation and meditation and the endorphins truly help with my depression.
You’ve done a great thing by posting on here.
Edit, As soon as we get some good weather, you’ll feel more motivated to ride. Best of luck!!

For me I get my mojo back every year when the clocks change in March. An hour extra light into the evenings is enough to start getting out after work.

I think variety is helpful.

Variety of bikes (I have 4, and choose according to time available/mood/trail conditions etc).

Mix up the routes. 99% of my riding is done from the door, and although there's a lot of choice where I live, I do often mix things up to prevent the local trails getting boring. Also worth checking out the local maps, Strava heatmap etc, zooming in on the places where "I wonder if there's a little pocket of woodland/snicket/trail over there?"

Have a bike, and kit, ready to go.

If you haven't got a 2-3 hour window, but only 20/30/60 minutes, go anyway. Even if its just to the local park, or around the block.

Take a brewkit, or flask of coffee, and a sandwich/pasty/cake with you. Ride to somewhere with a nice view. Stop. Sit. Eat. Drink. Listen. Look around.

Take photos. Of your bike. Of the trails. Of the sunlight dappling through the trees. Of the buds pushing up through the soil. Of the moss growing along the stone wall. Of the graffiti against the warehouse. Of the rain drops dripping from the bridge. Of your tyre imprint in the mud.

Check the weather and plan ahead. Set the alarm to get up and ride to somewhere with a nice view and watch the sunrise. Doesn't have to be a mountain; a field looking east, local park, the highest part of town looking down over the roofs. Somewhere to appreciate the changing colour of the sky. Or do the same of an evening and go watch a sunset.

Ride solo. Ride with mates. Ride with kids. Ride with strangers. (Obviously, on the last 2, do it appropriately, not in a weird way!)

I rarely struggle with motivation to ride, but am at risk of getting bored at times, so all the above helps to avoid de-motivation.

Hope you find your mojo again OP.

I think I might fit here too. 49 and in the middle of my great seasonal 'murgh'.

Wet, crap riding in the dark has never been my favoured riding, but I'm increasingly less 'hungry' to get out, and I'm starting to morph into a fair weather mtber.

This year more than others, I feel less vital - after covid last summer, I've put on weight, lost fitness and seemingly recover more slowly, even from a day at work or some labour in the garden. I can't seem to work out if this is covid consequence, lack of historic fitness or age, or more likely all three.

I'm basically hanging tough until the clocks change.

deluded

It’s rhetorical, really – I know I just need to get out and ride, hope I don’t keel over and take it from there, I guess.

Is that what "good" looks like for you?

despite loving MTB’ing and the peace it brings me

So you just want to ride, you want to do what you did before, you want to ride with mates or alone?
Maybe you have that picture in your head, maybe not.... but I think the more you expand on that the easier and more motivated you'll feel to do it.

These are just suggestions... make your own up.
I want to start MTBing again because
"I want to do a race in a year"
"I want to meet mates with the same interests"
"I want to get fit"
"I want to get out of the house"
"It makes me feel good"
"I want to do bigger jumps/drops/etc." (Don't know about you but my mortality is now more pretty much on the final stretch before death so wtf not)

The longer the list and more you believe it the better IMHO... but MAKE YOUR OWN....

I had a totally shit week last week... and for the first time in ages didn't feel like riding then a friend who knew I'd had a shit week "bullied me" to go out (in return for me bullying her when she's had a shit week)

All eminently sensible advice – thanks.

I’m in a funk / fug and just can’t shake myself out of it. I’ve done most of the little things suggested to trick my mind or kick start my enthusiasm – cleaned the bikes, washed / prepped kit etc but to no avail.

I have thought about going to my GP for bloods but the state my local surgery is in, and from the recent experiences of others, I’m likely going to be told to p155 off and stop wasting their time. In truth I could do with dropping a stone or two.

There’s a steep, rocky climb on my local loop – I’ve always managed to clear it without dabbing and I’m terrified of the day when I can’t do it – it’s become a strange psychological hangup that accompanies me for the length of the ride until I reach it ¾ of the way through. I worry about overexerting myself trying to clear it.

The days are getting lighter – I’m hoping the moment will take me and I’ll just hop on and spin off.

My riding group has fallen apart for one reason or another. I like riding on my own though - sometimes solitude is the best companion and all that.

The use it or lose it is nagging at me.

I am grateful for reaching 50 and I think of those in a far less fortunate position, health wise.

There’s a steep, rocky climb on my local loop – I’ve always managed to clear it without dabbing and I’m terrified of the day when I can’t do it – it’s become a strange psychological hangup that accompanies me for the length of the ride until I reach it ¾ of the way through. I worry about overexerting myself trying to clear it.

Do another loop or do it backwards or something or set off and do not plan to even TRY.

My perspective : If you do it fine.. if not you'll be 5x worse than where you are now.

I've was doing the same sort of thing with a jump I broke my wrist on late last year... EVERY time I didn't do it I felt shitter and shitter... and it became a bigger and bigger thing. I'd go out by myself specially .. come home feeling shitter. Told my riding buds can we just avoid it ... rode some much bigger stuff until it seemed totally stupid not to be doing it.

Are you able to cycle to work ? Great way of getting fit and much less stressful than driving. After a bit of research, I've got a couple of great, mainly off road routes into the city centre.

Lots of good advice above !

Perhaps you are just done with cycling?

It’s not written in stone that once a cyclist always a cyclist.

Can’t offer much help but can certainly relate to this.
Been a few posts like this on here recently (including one I did about finding people to ride with).
Thinking about it, i think turning 50 has impacted me more than I thought. I know it’s “only a number” but subconsciously I think it’s marked me going to a new stage in my life and not one I’m particularly enjoying at moment ie kids still causing worry, parents not well, stress at work but no real future aspirations with it.

That’s led to me being very lazy and spending far too long on the internet and worrying rather than doing any thing. So now it’s hard to get outside to do anything as I feel unmotivated and unfit.
I’m kind of just waiting for clocks to change and a bit of nice weather to cheer me up!

I'm 54, and struggled a bit to get out over the last couple of months- it's too wet, or it's too cold, or it's too muddy, or I simply can't be arsed. Really started beating myself up over it, and it made me think of going on the bike as a chore. That's the last thing I want, so I resolved to just ride when I fancied it. Kept my kit ready, kept my bike ready, just waited til I was in the mood. Went out last Sunday, brilliant. Went out yesterday, bit crap but still better than staying indoors. Stick with it, OP, and one day the mood will take you, and you'll be back. Dry days are coming!

(Bit taken aback no-one's said 'new bike'. STW, you've changed)

Maybe try something else for a while and make a conscious effort to leave the bikes alone. Or get your 50+ check up and have your blood’s done.

Failing that buy an ebike and you’ll get quicker again. Joking aside I know a few people who’ve struggled for a bit but getting an ebike has reinvigorated them again.

Good luck

Lots of great ideas here! How would you feel about adding in some different types of exercise too? Classes of some sort, they can be great fun? Resistance training can also be added a lot more easily than most people think, and it has a host of benefits, psychological and physical, lots of exercise and healthcare professionals can help give some guidance and make sure it’s started safely. Maybe try a few different things and see what gives you joy and motivation?

I was 50 last year and just playing on bikes has been quite positive for me. Last year I was watching youngsters doing biggish gap jump lines and thinking that’s something I’d never have the opportunity or ability to do given my age. I’m now doing those jumps and having a lot of fun with it, all down to just playing and having fun instead of just doing a “ride”. The social side of it helps me a lot mentally too, although I know what you mean about solitude being good at times. 🙂

Just turned 60 last Thursday and what worked for me was mixing an e-bike into the equation - not for everyone (or their pocket) but I rarely have a "can't be arsed" day now I have that added option on top of the "normal" bike. Just a suggestion.

My wonderfully wise wife often says to me 'all we ever have is the moment' when we talk about age, and she's right. I think of that when I am struggling.

Me too mate. Im 54. Stopped cycling to work in October. Other than golf lessons (complete beginner) I've done nothing. Cycling, walking and wild camping all stopped. Just no energy or desire to do it. Started cycling to work again last week and joined a gym and had first visit today. Mentally up and down. Never had winter blues but can't wait for light nights. Don't want to bother doctors so was looking at numan bloodtest to check things out.

So I spent most of my adult life deeply (pardon the pun) involved in cave exploration. Its a pretty savage passtime and getting into your mid fifties doesn't make you better at it! Particularly the diving side I've had to accept my day is over, at least at the level I practiced

I've also mountain biked since my twenties and have found enthusiasm has come and gone over the years - sometimes I was a caver who sometimes biked, and sometimes a mountain biker who occasionally went underground.

More recently I discovered sea kayaking; a new environment and a new set of skills to learn, but lower impact on an ageing body. Perfect.

Biking wise, getting older doesn't make you braver or fitter so over the last year I've got into my gravel bike, and also having journeys rather than driving to off road loops. I live close to the Settle and Carlisle line, so I'll jump on the train, get off somewhere down the line, and go exploring. Sometimes I'll ride as far as I fancy and train it home. I do find the gravel bike is a good way of linking sections of off road rather than contrived loops to maximise the off road. It's a mixture; something new, somewhere new, and now I'm reinvigorated and mad keen again.

Oh, and I was starting to kaffle and was considering and ebike as a way to stay in the game. Then, at the top of Apedale I met a bloke on an ebike who said he'd held off and had just got one for his 80th so he could keep riding. Nothing against ebikes but that put things in context!

I always like a planned target or three to look forward to in the better weather.
It helps get me out the door and in to a routine,even in the dark months.
All a lot easier if you have a group to ride with.

Even with no health issues (or old injuries),there is no doubt that keeping a level of fitness is harder as you age,but like the ancient (and well used) saying goes.
Use it or lose it.

If it helps life doesn't end a 50. Admittedly I've only ever been a week end warrior, but I can give you ten years plus and still get PBs on Strava and overall I'm fitter than I was 20 years ago. Think about what it is in MTB that really inspires you, do some research, do some planning, rope in a friend or two and make it happen.

As others have said make sure you get checked out by the GP, and if you really think they're going to be that negative consider going private if you have the funds.

I’m terrified of the day when I can’t do it

I don't know if you do or not, but a few years ago I binned off Strava because of the psychological effect it was having on my riding. Sections that I know I can ride perfectly fine became a big barrier simply because I knew the times of them, and the "need" to beat my time - I lived in a honey pot area and I wouldn't even get into the top 50 let alone top 10 normally, meant that I wouldn't ride unless I was feeling 100% ready to "smash it" So lot's of them time, I'd find an excuse not to ride. It made me pretty unhappy - especially at the time I was riding in a pretty good area for MTB.  So off went Strava, and it's lifted a whole weight that I really didn't realise was there at the time.

Now I just ride. For myself. I don't set targets, I don't measure myself against others, I don't go if I'm not feeling it, but I do bimble and muck about if I want to "waste" a ride

I've barely touched my bike over winter, just can't be bothered with anything of late, but I'm sure once the sun comes out I'll be back at it, I've started running to drop a few pounds in readiness for spring, I've recently been diagnosed with an under active thyroid so that explains a lot.

How far are you from some good, mellow, quiet riding?

Is it too simple to say that you just need to grab some kit, now, then get on the bike and go - just plan to be out for an hour, no route in mind, just pedal and see how it feels?

Because

loving MTB’ing and the peace it brings me.

says it'll be worth it.

I know it is a simple answer and there can be so much more to all this. And I realise that genuine depression makes action difficult or impossible to take. But perhaps that's the point I'm getting at - when I'm a bit half-arsed needing willpower or to kickstart myself I just have to "JFDI right now" and crack on, and I know I'll feel better afterward for doing it, conversely I'll feel worse if I continue to procrastinate.
Because there's a big difference between being a bit 'CBA' one day/week and actual, genuine depression. I don't have it thankfully so I don't really have any excuse.
If you really can't do that - genuinely can't see the point of going out for a quick pedal and are worried about something going wrong- then try to some help as it might be something closer to clinical depression.

PS - a recommended read that I stumbled across last year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasons_to_Stay_Alive#:~:text=Reasons%20to%20Stay%20Alive%20is,wrote%20about%20his%20illness%20publicly.

I was on a bike tour in Wales, a second attempt at a route after bailing on day 3 last time due to cumulative effects of covid, job stress, injury and related lack of fitness plus maybe an element of burnout of some sort. I found it in a phone box bookstore and thought it looked like an easy read format on a topic that maybe I should know something about. The ride went well and I felt closer to back to fitness and the book was excellent, confirmed to me how big the difference between 'a bit low these days' and actual Depression was. I think it's really important for us to be able to recognise depression in others and try to understand how 'buck up, you'll be fine' isn't helpful to someone who's depressed in the clinical way (said realising what I posted above).

Are you in England OP? If so, which county?

Funnily enough I am documenting every (public) health & wellbeing service in England for my job this week, and it sounds like you might be a good candidate for the health coaching some of them offer. My company offers it too, and I've heard first hand how good it is from some of the service users.

And getting attention now is not a waste of resources - because it hopefully saves the NHS money down the line when you don't have chronic health conditions.

Edit: Feel free to message me if you like OP 🙂

There is nothing “pitiful” about this. We need to be more open about this - it happens to most of us.

There are some great suggestions of getting some blood tests done including thyroid, testosterone and iron.

You’ve taken the first step in posting about it - might be an idea to talk to someone about it - including your GP.

steamtb

I was 50 last year and just playing on bikes has been quite positive for me. Last year I was watching youngsters doing biggish gap jump lines and thinking that’s something I’d never have the opportunity or ability to do given my age. I’m now doing those jumps and having a lot of fun with it, all down to just playing and having fun instead of just doing a “ride”. The social side of it helps me a lot mentally too, although I know what you mean about solitude being good at times.

I barely remember 50... but most of my riding buddies are thereabouts.
The thing is we spend a lot of time just f%^@ing about in the woods we just have bikes.

Then we also do more pedal day or more jumps or bikeparks etc.
Some people only do some types and others do some of everything and I'll still go out alone 2-3 times a week anyway or sometimes I'll do a group ride then go on another more taxing ride.

The social side of it helps me a lot mentally too, although I know what you mean about solitude being good at times.

I'd struggle with my solo rides if it wasn't for the social as well.
We even change rides when someone is injured so we can still meet and be social or they can take some photos etc. even when they can't ride.

There are some great suggestions of getting some blood tests done including thyroid, testosterone and iron.

You’ve taken the first step in posting about it – might be an idea to talk to someone about it – including your GP.

Unless they have private insurance or can afford to pay themselves that's about as useful as the NHS adverts for if you are worried you might have cancer if you can only see a GP when its an emergency

Whatever you decide to do you're really going to have to force yourself to do it. Avoid procrastination or telling yourself 'you dont have time'.

Time is an illusion

Lunchtime doubly so.