[Closed] Keeping interested in riding

Agreed. I don't have lots of bikes, but I do change them regularly (I rarely keep a bike more than 1-2 years)

This keeps me interested (nothing better than riding a new bike), lets me try out different brands, models and styles of bike. In the last 3 years I have had carbon road bikes, plus hardtail, alloy road bikes, full sus carbon, steel road bike and now a monster cross bike.

Would you lend me a bike then.  I have failed to get my lazy arse out for a Wednesday night ride since I got back from a holiday a month ago because cold, wet, dark.  I know I'd enjoy it too

I needed some headspace on Sunday and went out in the drizzle, just riding, enjoying, jumped in the woods, jumped on the road and absolutely loved my ride... Although admittedly i do have a noise that's irrtiating me 😉

but the rides i like the most are the long quiet evenings of summer with a beer stop and cake...

From my experience of the last 2 months, nothing maintains your enthusiasm for riding that not being able to.

Stupid foot...

 I have failed to get my lazy arse out for a Wednesday night ride since I got back from a holiday a month ago because cold, wet, dark.  I know I’d enjoy it too

That's when my rigid 29er comes out.  I pick a route that favours lanes and fire roads so mud isn't an issue, the bike has plenty of gears so I can choose my level of effort, and I don't have to worry about tech in the dark.

Since I started riding 'seriously' (probably 10-12ish years ago ... I'm 50 now, and only previously 'dabbled' in cycling as an adult), I have rarely struggled for motivation, and am probably (like many here) slightly obsessive / dependant on cycling (if I'm not riding, I often want to be riding / thinking about riding).

4 bikes help. 1xCX'y commuter bike, with guards and rack. 1xFS (cheaply put together, old skool, still a better bike than I am a rider). 1x Rigid SS. 1xTitanium CX/Gravel bike. Means there's usually an option for whatever the weather / trails / conditions. And I run too, which is a good option when you're just fed up of months & months of winter slop.

So, I agree to an extent that it is partly about the bike(s), but I don't rely on (and cannot afford) regularly updating/upgrading/replacing my bikes to motivate me.

Hardtailonly- 1xFS (cheaply put together, old skool, still a better bike than I am a rider)

i dont know what to believe anymore

Hardtailonly- 1xFS (cheaply put together, old skool, still a better bike than I am a rider)

i dont know what to believe anymore

Huh?

Reference to my username? Which was created when I did only have a HT MTB ... Just haven't got around to / not sure how to change my username ...

I lost my mojo for about a year. It's back now though.

I really struggle with motivation. When I'm out riding I always have a great time. When I'm thinking about riding I have to force myself to go (and often don't).

I don't understand it.

@hardtailonly - I'm sure it wasn't the cutting remark you might have thought it was.

As for the original question, I try not to worry about 'the bike' too much, otherwise it'll occupy all my thoughts any time I'm NOT riding. Usually I start to worry because it's not whatever (standard, colour, cool brand etc) then I ride and I remember I really like it.

I don't really need to work too hard to keep the enthusiasm up, sometimes it takes a little dip, but my mind and body punish me brutally if I go more than a week without riding. I know a few guys who've fallen into the whole "yeah, I've got to get out again' camp and I know their bikes are stuck in the back of the shed and haven't moved for a year, if I get to that point I'd have to find something new to do, the idea of my life being a constant cycle of work/eat/tv/sleep would kill me.

but I don’t rely on (and cannot afford) regularly updating/upgrading/replacing my bikes to motivate me.

You don't have to.

My big bike is 11 years old.  I've given it new modern tyres, a dropper, and a modern wide bar and stem, which has opened up all sorts of riding.  I've also fitted flats, when my other bikes have SPDs, to vary the experience.  I've fettled the fork too so it's now working far better than it ever did.  That lot didn't cost much.

My rigid bike was a £400 frameset with some cheap second hand wheels nearly 4 years ago.  But what inspires me about it is that it's different, it's rigid, and because it's an adventurey sort of bike I take it on long adventurey rides.

If you've got a reasonably decent bike that's good enough for the kind of riding you do then that's all you need really. Do you really need a 140mm fs trail bike with a slack ha to ride your local woods?

I still smile when I ride my 1992 Marin that I got from the tip for £10 and spent about £70 doing up again. There's no reason now adays with the advancement of technology to avoid night rides either, even if you are on a budget. ( if you look at ebay lights ). With decent modern trail bikes you can ride pretty much anything from xc to dh.

Just get out.

I would be more motivated if I lived a bit closer to half decent trails. Sometimes another spin round Richmond Park's Tamsin Trail isn't doing it for me (although it is quite sketchy in some parts on slick 28s).

That said, I'd miss living near a tube station so it's swings and roundabouts...

but I don’t rely on (and cannot afford) regularly updating/upgrading/replacing my bikes to motivate me.

You don’t have to.

No. That was my point.

My FS is a 2009 (I think) Prophet. It's my first FS, which I put together about 10 months ago for around £450-500 all in. It's not very 'on trend', and whilst slack(ish) is not long and low. My other MTB is even older-skool (Inbred, rigid, SS), which I love riding (for certain types of rides), and was similarly lashed together for very little money. The Hack (commuter) is about 6/7 years old, and I've had loads of good times on that ... Just does the boring commute stuff now.

Although the Pickenflick was a serious amount to spend (for me), most of my biking has been done, and motivation kept, on quite long-standing, and reasonably inexpensive bikes.

If you’ve got a reasonably decent bike that’s good enough for the kind of riding you do then that’s all you need really.

Part of my point is that different bikes open up different kinds of riding, and hence different experiences.

That's true. I have a different bike for each discipline even although they are oldish, so I agree. Your right 😉

I'm in that struggling with motivation stage at the moment.

Do always make it out for the usual Thursday night rides but, they seem to just be getting longer and longer in an effort to squeeze more riding in, which makes them feel like a bit of a slogg just to get round as many trails as possible, rather than having a bit of fun and enjoying the ride itself which is how it used to be.

Most weeks I now find myself ducking out for the pub after a couple of hours and trying to enjoy the social side rather than purely just the miles.

The rest of the week, I tend to go running in the local woods rather than biking. Can't remember when I last went riding by myself.

I had been planning on getting a new bike this but at present can't be bothered to spend the money. Though maybe a new bike will help get my mojo back.

Riding different places and going to a proper bike park, got my mojo back. Iam currently planning a new part urban part wood local ride in my new area and I am getting very excited.

i've been struggling since the clocks have changed, i'd set myself a target of 100km a week for 2018

(failed in the second week of January as i had a week in the caribbean)

anyway I've got wednesday morning off so planning a 40km Xc ride to a few places i've not been recently, so that will hit the 5,000 mark...

i like to mix it up, 3 mountain bikes and a drop handle i ride offroad in a variety of locations around west yorkshire/ pennines / lakes / peaks, as well as a couple of tarmac loops to get the miles in when time doesnt permit..

this weekend i did a flows mtb course and that had invigorated me to do it differently next year, the 100km is out the window, i want to improve my riding skills, its amazing how incompetent and unfit you can be shown by a few hours on a bmx pump track..

i can definately recommend

1, a MTB skills course if you are the type who wants to improve and stop getting by on bad habits.

2, riding different bikes in different locations. [i've decided to go to a trail centre and a pump track /bike park at least once a month]

I did a loop around lady cannings yesterday, stanage edge, blacka moor, and had a right blast.. been wanting to do it for a few years.. thats invigorated me, although resting today as my legs are dead

I'm really struggling at the moment.  Most of my former riding buddies now ride road bikes or are as fit as whippets and only really want to do 5+ hours rides putting the hammer down all the way.  Even if I was fit enough (and I'm not), I don't have the time (2 young kids that not only take up time but that I want to spend time with while they still want me to 🙂 ), and don't particularly enjoy those rides any more - I have more fun with a bit of messing around.  That means I usually end up riding on my own, which is a bit of a drag, and also I've recently started to ride more and more round the same old trails.

I need something to spice it up.  Trying to keep some level of indoor biking up, but that's just a poor substitute.

I've sort of lost my mojo, I'm not riding as much as I have (Still 2500 miles this year mind you). Yesterday I did 40 miles along the canals on the fixie which was awesome, and I'll commute in tomorrow, but "real" off road or long road rides have been pretty minimal. But all this is OK as I'm running loads at the moment and in a few months the bike love will return and all will be well.

I guess I'd recommend not focusing on it, certainly not stressing and just doing what you enjoy. Right now, for me that is running, but soon my best bike will come out and all well be back to normal again.

Riding new trails and trying to ride old trails better keeps my interest going. Also pushing my boundaries and challenging myself keeps it fresh, though it's a fine balance not pushing the limits too far. With the colder, damper, darker nights it's easy to sack off the mid week ride on the same old local trails, it's only arranging to meet riding buddies that gets me out off the sofa mid week.

my life being a constant cycle

I see what you did there.

You don’t have to.

My big bike is 11 years old. I’ve given it new modern tyres, a dropper, and a modern wide bar and stem, which has opened up all sorts of riding. I’ve also fitted flats, when my other bikes have SPDs, to vary the experience. I’ve fettled the fork too so it’s now working far better than it ever did.

So ... updating/upgrading then?

It's mud that demotivates me. I suppose after many months of bone dry trails I have nothing to complain about.

Part of my point is that different bikes open up different kinds of riding, and hence different experiences.

You don't need different bikes to create 'different experiences'. I still just love the way my local trails change over the year - lines, feel, traction, colours, views, temperatures. Bikes are just bikes.

I love bikes, but i also tend to really like the different friends i have made via bikes, i live in Norfolk, so the mountain biking is limited, but there are some great beaches and great rides linking up the bridleways and woods.

I ride with one mate who is 15 years younger and just getting into it, i love how he is so enthusiastic and always asking questions whilst already kicking my arse.

Another made is the kinda guy that can name every mushroom and i love that rides with him usually involve us picking and drying mushrooms, locating wood to go back later with the van and chainsaw, coming back with jersey pockets full of duck eggs and him knowing every farmer and every little cut through across their land.

I like the real mix of people i thin meet organising fat bike rides around the coast, or the group i go bivvying with.

I think surrounding yourself with a good group of people is what keeps me getting out and the fact that a good ride and fresh air does a hell of a lot for my mood, i work 10 hour days in an office, and if i don't ride a couple of times a week, i can become a real grumpy git..

Bikes are just bikes.

Disagree. I really enjoy going up into the valleys with my rigid bike, feels good to do 50 miles with half of it on road. The same ride would be murder on the Patriot. Likewise the steep tech in the local woods is crap on the rigid bike.

Coming up to nearly 30 years of MTBing, and it never seems to get old 😊

Road biking comes and goes - I'll train for a big Sportive once a every 2/3 years. I've also dabbled in CX/gravel, but it's the MTB that I always come back to.

Partly it's so varied, every ride is different even if it's on the same trails. I also love putting in nadgery, technical lines in my local woods that only I will ever ride.

It's also totally about the bikes. I love tinkering and building them up almost as much as riding them. Currently my favourites are a 29+ and a long n low 27.5 hardtail. Both a massive hoot to ride, and eminently tweakable.

Disagree. I really enjoy going up into the valleys with my rigid bike, feels good to do 50 miles with half of it on road. The same ride would be murder on the Patriot. Likewise the steep tech in the local woods is crap on the rigid bike.

No, I didn't mean all bikes are the same and do the same thing. What I'm saying is that I don't need lots of different bikes to find variety in riding or to motivate me to ride, the way the world changes is enough. Everyone's wired differently though, so whatever works.

I have been bored in the past, riding in the same old woods.  But now there are actually far more trails in the same woods, and it's fun again.

molgrips

...Sometimes it is about the bike.

Nothing like having a selection.

But can I suggest you get one really unsuitable bike and try that on a trail it hasn't been designed for? Double the fun, and you really appreciate your good bikes after.

About £25 should cover the N+1 🙂

My point is that I like riding the same trails in different conditions. In different weather. In different light. I like the micro-differences and seasonal changes. I like the way trails change subtly with wear. And the way different people ride the same sections of trail. And trying different lines. I like riding trails on the 'wrong' bike as well as the 'right' one. Because all those things make each ride, even on the same trails, subtly different.

Don't get me wrong, I like new stuff too, but I think variety is there on your doorstep, hiding in plain sight, if you're prepared to look for it.

Never have a problem with motivation.  I enjoy riding my bike more than anything else I do so can't wait to get out on it.  I am usually getting a bit fed up by the end of February after riding all through the winter but even when it is 0 degrees outside I still enjoy my bike ride.

I only have one bike and it is as simple as possible so it is not about having numerous bikes for me.

Moly's on commission from the cycling industry though. It's a bit like N+1, call it Nx1 where your total enjoyment of riding is determined by the number of bikes you own...Not at all a shallow justification for buying more and more bikes 😉   <---- that's a wink smiley just so there's no confusion. I don't genuinely believe that Molgrips is a bike industry stooge, just to nip that one in the bud like. Below for full-sized version.

Below for full-sized version.

Lol 🙂

It's just that we constantly get this message that it's not about the bike.  Well, that's true in some ways, but in other ways not.  The bike does matter.  You, the bike, the geography and the trails all have to come together to make a fun ride.  That's not to say your bike has to be shiny and new - just that it has to work well for you with whatever you want it to do.

But can I suggest you get one really unsuitable bike and try that on a trail it hasn’t been designed for?

I've done that lots of times and I have to say I don't really enjoy it that much.  Even back in the day on a mid 90s rigid bike, whilst they were designed for the trails, they weren't really very good.

There's a trail near me that I've ridden since the mid 90s.  Back then I had a rigid bike with 1.9" tyres on.  The trail goes down into a dip and back up to the same level.  It's fairly rocky and there's a lip into the dip in both directions.  I used to try and get air off the lip, and come up the other side fast enough to get air off the other lip and I never managed it, I just couldn't keep the speed up.  Now, on my 29er FS, I come into it so fast I can land half way down the downslope and get decent air from the lip on the other side.  So yes, I'm going faster - but more speed in this case makes the trail way more fun, it makes features out of what was just plain trail.  And the speed is down to the bike.  And of course the same is true for trails all over the place.

It’s just that we constantly get this message that it’s not about the bike.

Maybe in your alternative reality, where I'm sitting, the message we get is constantly that it's all about the bike. You need more travel. Bigger wheels. Small wheels. Plus-sized tyres. An adventure bike. A gravel bike. An enduro gravel bike. A hardcare hardtail and a softcore softail. A road bike. A singlespeed gravel bike. An e-bike. An e gravel bike. And you need a new one of each. Now!

I'm just reading STW...

After around 12 years of riding, I lost interest for about 4 years, started going back out a year ago, struggled to keep up but persevered, bought a new bike & I'm now as obsessed as I ever was, still struggle to keep up as my riding buddies are 15 - 20 years younger than me but I've noticed a significant improvement over the year, cant imagine giving up again,

molgrips

It’s just that we constantly get this message that it’s not about the bike....

I agree. When you look at the comparison between a rigid hardtail and a modern full susser, and it's clearly definitely about the bike.

Whatever you're using, the trails you ride most the time eventually become a bit ho-hum. If you can't change your trail, then to make it more interesting, your options come down to go even faster or make it more difficult.

You can do that with your choice of bike.

I have always regarded the sensation of speed as a relative thing - hammering downhill, vision blurred, on a rigid hardtail feels fast, even though it isn't when compared to the full sussers cruising by. But that's why I prefer to ride the wrong bike - for me it makes the track more fun. It's amazing how a good suspension bike just eats what previously looked like a much more technical section.

I'd better shut up now, I'll end up convincing myself that suspension is a good thing, and that's a slippery slope to derailleurs, dropper posts, etc... 🙂

Buying a new fangled gravel bike has seen me ride lots more locally. Good for mix of road, parks, easy trails go much further faster. Tried bikepacking trip, now planning bit of cycle touring another bikepacking trip. Bit of variety keeps my interest going.

Finding the time is biggest issue at the moment. By the time the days chores are done I'm too cream crackered to dig the bike out. Weekends are gone in a flash. I've charged my lights though, in readiness for an evening bimble.

Lost my mojo for riding this year and haven't swung a leg over any of my bikes since Feb.

Many and varied reasons why, but ultimately other priorities have taken over.

The main thing that I've come to realise is don't force it, if i haven't fancied going out then no amount of shiny shiny (new frame in the garage since Jan this year not built up) or planning or socialising has made any difference and I've almost resented it (time wasted doing something else etc).

I can feel the itch coming, searching for bargain components to build the new bike up, cleaned and serviced the other bikes, scoping out new local trails when walking the dog - it all adds up.

If you've lost the bug, find something else to occupy your time, if the itch comes back then scratch it!

I've come to think of the choices a bit like this:

Road/Gravel <<< MTB >>> Trials/BMX

Where MTB is the starting point where interest is waining.

hammering downhill, vision blurred, on a rigid hardtail feels fast, even though it isn’t

Not so much for me. I look ahead and notice the lines that I could be taking on a bigger bike, and I see what I am missing.

There are some descents where the line choice is so different and you have to zig zag between more stuff on a rigid bike, which does give you a speed related challenge. I mean I like the rigid bike, it's probably my favourite, but riding the big bike is not simply the same but quicker. It's a completely different activity. And fortunately not exclusive. In the same way that XC skiing is not just DH skiing slower.

I don't want to ride my bike at the moment (last 6 weeks or so), which annoys me more than not riding my bike, if that makes sense! I really want to want to ride, but can't motivate myself, there've been a few beautiful days where mrs njee20 has said "why not go for a ride", and I just don't want to. It's happened the last few years about this time, driven by the fact I'm nowhere near as fit as I once was, and it seems unlikely I'll get back there for years, if at all. I don't race any more, partly because it took up too much time, partly because I was rubbish, partly because I didn't enjoy it any more.

I don't visit here as much now, I find I don't know as much about what's current in bikes, certainly can't reel off Shimano part numbers and compatibility like I used to!

I'm kind of ok with it. It's a bit shit. I'd love to still be really fit, but I'm not, but I've got other hobbies and a family and a job that pays me more money (with a shit commute). Meh, the bikes aren't going anywhere, the enthusiasm will come back!

Popped Komoot on my phone and have found out that some folk have kindly built some trails and features in a local wood near me - never knew they were there - less than a mile from my home - looks a good little practice area. Also going out with others locally, I've found tracks I never knew were there - so much on my doorstep.

I don’t want to ride my bike at the moment (last 6 weeks or so), which annoys me more than not riding my bike, if that makes sense! I really want to want to ride, but can’t motivate myself,

Makes complete sense to me njee. I'm in exactly the same place just now and have tons of time to ride and every bike under the sun available to me.

It’s happened the last few years about this time, driven by the fact I’m nowhere near as fit as I once was, and it seems unlikely I’ll get back there for years, if at all. I don’t race any more, partly because it took up too much time, partly because I was rubbish, partly because I didn’t enjoy it any more.

I suggested to you years back you slam your saddle and just go for a play on your bike more. We argued all the time on here about meaningless shit but in reality we're not all that different. I still ride a bike at some point pretty much every day. Lack of motivation means I just CBA going anywhere at the moment but I'd still rather take a bike to the local shop/pub/school to collect my youngest etc. than drive. The second I get on any bike I can't resist pissing about. Fitness doesn't really matter. And it definitely lifts my mood. Occasionally I'll find myself taking a detour through the woods and pinning it in jeans and no lid. bikes are awesome. Your enthusiasm for riding will hopefully return. Don't stress it. Let your hair down a bit now you're not a slave to trainng.

I think that’s sound advice, geex - I’ll try and put some of that into practice, having pretty much lost my mojo in spite of having some great technical stuff right on my doorstep.

Messing about on bikes is fun. I put flats on the Patriot and sticky tyres, it's slow as hell. So I trundle around the local woods up to the top of the hill where all the cheeky homemade descents are then hurtle down them nice and quickly. Great fun and close to how I started riding all those years ago. Just messing about.

The second I get on any bike I can’t resist pissing about.... Let your hair down a bit now you’re not a slave to trainng.

In the spirit of not taking things seriously, Sam Pilgrim & Tom Cardy on kids mountain bikes:

Mrs g-d told me to make sure I went for a ride tonight as not ridden much this year and I was um-ing and ah-ing about whether I should go after a late night last night.

Right move mrs gd I love mountain biking and the brilliant people I get to ride with.

Now feeling motivated again...

sirromj

In the spirit of not taking things seriously...

Brilliant. 🙂

I found that I was starting to feel like every ride had to be a 'big ride' to make it worth doing, either lots of miles or heading off to Surrey Hills to hit 'proper' trails. It was starting to de-motivate me, I think it was a bit of a comedown from a week in the Alps this summer followed by illness which kept me off the bike for about 8 weeks.

I started just going out the odd evening/weekend for an hour in the local woods instead and it got me really enthusiastic again, and I had a really enjoyable ride at QECP two weeks ago with my brother which involved a single lap of the Blue/Red diversion combo of 6 miles and then off to a local pop-up cafe to eat cake and homemade Scotch Eggs. I'm starting to embrace just getting out and about, which is what got me into riding in the first place.

I agree, multiple bikes help to keep one motivated. Got nothing to do with the N+1 marketing or any other daft shite that people on soapboxes shouting "I only need one bike" ,like to spout on about either...

Also have more than one holiday a year as well,for no other reason than I just like holidays !  😉

I only think you really need 2 bikes: a longish travel enduro bike for the good stuff and a cross/gravel bike for the easy stuff/road. With those two I never really feel that I've got the wrong bike, although I would quite like a DJ bike for jumps/pump tracks, but it's not really necessary.

JP

The fix the fun factor gives me keeps me keen and at it.I'm 'hoping' to get myself out this afternoon/eve for my first night ride of the season although todays work and the weather may thwart me.

You live in such a rich riding area Molgrips,that must indeed help keep you going,especially with so many of the locals into it too.