I can't Be Arsed!

[Toks]

Last year I went Cyclosportiv Crazy. This year I don't know whats wrong - I just can't be bothered. I'm not doing the Dragon now and I'm now not particulary bothered about missing the Marmotte either. Is this long hilly ride apathy happening to anyone else?

[siwickm]

Hey Toks,

I am in the same boat, I am feeling decidedly un motivated at the moment to get up and race or train. I don't know why but now the sun is shining it seems much easier to sit on the armchair with a beer and watch the footy.

Have not raced for the last couple of weeks and normally I would be chomping at the bit to get back into racing. Maybe a case of mid season blues, I think this happens every year to me. I am doing the Marmotte, so I need to start training a bit more, as it gets closer I think the fear of the pain will kick me into gear to start riding a bit more, only 3 weeks to go eeeek.

cheers

Marek....

[huw williams]

It's burn out - put it down to starting so early in the year.

If you want a good racing season, you've probably been riding/training a lot from January onwards. By the time you get through May you've already been riding seriously for six months, trouble is, the summer's only just started and many of the big events are still to come. The last events in September/October seem a million miles away

My advice is to forget competition related riding for a couple of weeks and remind yourself why you enjoy riding a bike in the first place.

Go out on club runs and forget training - just ride to enjoy yourself for a while. Yesterday's Brighton ride (see seperate report) was a perfect example. One of the best days I've had on the bike in ages - no pressure of setting fast times, finishing in front of so and so, or staying in certain zones, just a load of fun.

You won't loose any fitness becuase your still riding but you will rediscover your entusiasm for it.

In short, take a break and don't feel guilty about it.

[Toks]

Thanks for the support guys. To be honest its really the cyclosportivs I'm talking about in particular. I'm still motivated to race 1 hour criteriums twice a week. Its just these 6-8 hour rides which everyone knows are very very tough - harder than racing in some ways that I can't really get motivated to do.

I find them so taxing mentally as well as physically - so hats off to all of you that have still got the drive to do them. A lovely 17mph 3/4hr club run would suit me perfectly at the moment but I gotta keep racing till I reach my goal

[Ian A4size]

Huw has got it spot on- no matter who you are you just cant be motivated all the time, a rest is good.

[kieran]

funny, I've a similar feeling for the dragon ride, i still haven't arranged my trip there or any accommodation! I figured it will cost £140 in total excluding the event itself - that's alot of racing i could pay for!! (one reason i haven't raced much is i can't afford the steady trickle of money out). I would love to do the ride if it was nearby but having to drag my sorry butt to Wales is giving me pause for thought - even if i loved the last one I did (Bala).

[Alan M]

Well I'm up to my 4th in about 7 weeks and on reflection I was a tad unthinking about the timing.

I think that 1 a month over the summer would be enough and I'm not sure that I can absorb much more character building punishment.

I agree with kieran that there are opportunity costs associated with travelling so far and having to book B&Bs etc. But that said, I have really enjoyed the variation in type of ride, the scenery, some chats with others along the way and in particular the ACC debrief at the end of a ride, although it fragmented a bit on the cotswolds ride. The forum exchange is good fun too.

I suspect I'll do it differently next year and maybe include fewer rides and at least one on foreign soil.

Sort of looking forward to the Dragon - but would have been equally happy on the club run or putting some time in on the track.


Ask me on Sunday evening.

[Tim H (liquigas)]

oh dear oh dear another victim

I have a spare ticket for the Dragon too if anyone wants it!!?

my excuse is that I am completely addicated to racing at the moment and can't bear to miss out this weekend..

although i understand about the burn out !! been racing since early March and feel i need a break now... raced twice this weekend and my legs are screaming!!

Palace tonight anyone??

[Alan M]

100 miles of hills in less than 6 hours would be quite a competition Tim!

[Tim H (liquigas)]

now thats a challenge - very tempting!!

[kieran]

where were you planning on racing anyway Tim? Have you moved up cat yet?

[Toks]

[quote]funny, I've a similar feeling for the dragon ride, i still haven't arranged my trip there or any accommodation! I figured it will cost £140 in total excluding the event itself - that's alot of racing i could pay for!! (one reason i haven't raced much is i can't afford the steady trickle of money out). I would love to do the ride if it was nearby but having to drag my sorry butt to Wales is giving me pause for thought - even if i loved the last one I did (Bala).

[kieran]

Well, I've finally decide not to go to the dragon ride, now to decide whether to do herne hill or club run on Saturday. It was mainly the money and the fact that family would not be coming with me. usually we turn these things into a family weekend away from London which adds to the appeal and justifies the cost to them! (easier to sell the cost to my wife if she is getting something out of it as well!!) Good luck to you all doing it, it seems it will be a big field, have fun as well.