The Daily Grind
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,209
Bikes: ...a few.
Liked 410 Times
in
236 Posts
The Daily Grind
Because of the snow fall last week it feels like I'm having to grind it out this year more so than previous years. Certainly, it could just be the recency effect, but my commute of 38-km, day in and day out, feels a lot more difficult than before. Not physically more difficult, because it's really not hard. I don't push the pace very often, usually taking just under an hour to do the 19 km, not even breaking a sweat when I arrive. More mentally taxing for me. The shorter days, the dark mornings, the changing weather, and maybe the anxiety and dread of having to ride through some pretty crappy weather from last week, and the thought that this is just the beginning, perhaps is beginning to wear on me. January and February still lie ahead.
Feel free to commiserate with me.
Feel free to commiserate with me.
Likes For mcours2006:
#2
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,027
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,010 Times
in
1,710 Posts
I feel you. Winter has so many stressors: the weather, the short period of light, the scary road conditions, the scary drivers, the bad visibility. Do you have another way to get to work? You could do what I do and ride on days when the weather isn't awful. I ride in weather that some consider bad but I don't.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#3
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,719
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Liked 2,496 Times
in
1,287 Posts
I know how you feel. I experienced those same feelings few times over the years...Think about the alternative. The alternative is sitting inside a car stuck in rush hour traffic which isn't very pleasant. At least when your ride you're getting some benefits from exercise. The grind is mostly mental.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,209
Bikes: ...a few.
Liked 410 Times
in
236 Posts
I feel you. Winter has so many stressors: the weather, the short period of light, the scary road conditions, the scary drivers, the bad visibility. Do you have another way to get to work? You could do what I do and ride on days when the weather isn't awful. I ride in weather that some consider bad but I don't.
Don't get me wrong. For the most part I love riding to work, and when the weather is fair in the summer or late spring it can be quite sublime, and often the best part of my day. Riding to work in poor weather and road conditions just feels too much like work itself.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,209
Bikes: ...a few.
Liked 410 Times
in
236 Posts
I know how you feel. I experienced those same feelings few times over the years...Think about the alternative. The alternative is sitting inside a car stuck in rush hour traffic which isn't very pleasant. At least when your ride you're getting some benefits from exercise. The grind is mostly mental.
#6
Senior Member
Because of the snow fall last week it feels like I'm having to grind it out this year more so than previous years. Certainly, it could just be the recency effect, but my commute of 38-km, day in and day out, feels a lot more difficult than before. Not physically more difficult, because it's really not hard. I don't push the pace very often, usually taking just under an hour to do the 19 km, not even breaking a sweat when I arrive. More mentally taxing for me. The shorter days, the dark mornings, the changing weather, and maybe the anxiety and dread of having to ride through some pretty crappy weather from last week, and the thought that this is just the beginning, perhaps is beginning to wear on me. January and February still lie ahead.
Feel free to commiserate with me.
Feel free to commiserate with me.
#7
Some Weirdo
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Rexburg, ID
Posts: 502
Bikes: '86 Schwinn Prelude, '91 Scott Sawtooth, '73 Raleigh "Grand 3"
Liked 141 Times
in
92 Posts
I feel that. The mental difficulty of waking up extra early each morning to ride in the cold and wet on a bike that isn't exactly perfect is why I stopped cycle commuting to school. I also didn't appreciate that I had to change into another set of clothes each day.
__________________
Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot.
Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 6,050
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Liked 1,760 Times
in
872 Posts
Sorry, no.
Try a new accessory. Try new clothing. Try a new route or modified route. Try a new podcast (one ear). Try pushing your weather limits.
...and then there's Ted Baxter's advice:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxsd6
Also:
"In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game!"
-Mary Poppins
Start taking vitamin D, start drinking coffe or tea when you arrive at work...use caffeine addiction to your advantage.
You just need to find the motivation.
I was off the bike for a year due to a bulging disc in my neck when I was 48. It was the most miserable year of my adult life, physically and mentally. I knew what I was missing, and for the last 9 years I fight for it every morning I can. I pushed my cold weather limits down, I bought studded tires, and recently when the straight bars on the snow bike became too painful I converted my bike to drops...me, myself, and now every ride on that bike proves I can still perform some mechanical work myself, and still ride, and every ride on every bike proves I can overcome injuries and limitations, both physical and mental.
And if you can't find the motivation before you start your ride, you will find it somewhere on the ride or even at the end.
just go, Go, GO!
Try a new accessory. Try new clothing. Try a new route or modified route. Try a new podcast (one ear). Try pushing your weather limits.
...and then there's Ted Baxter's advice:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxsd6
Also:
"In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game!"
-Mary Poppins
Start taking vitamin D, start drinking coffe or tea when you arrive at work...use caffeine addiction to your advantage.
You just need to find the motivation.
I was off the bike for a year due to a bulging disc in my neck when I was 48. It was the most miserable year of my adult life, physically and mentally. I knew what I was missing, and for the last 9 years I fight for it every morning I can. I pushed my cold weather limits down, I bought studded tires, and recently when the straight bars on the snow bike became too painful I converted my bike to drops...me, myself, and now every ride on that bike proves I can still perform some mechanical work myself, and still ride, and every ride on every bike proves I can overcome injuries and limitations, both physical and mental.
And if you can't find the motivation before you start your ride, you will find it somewhere on the ride or even at the end.
just go, Go, GO!
Last edited by BobbyG; 11-21-19 at 08:04 AM.
Likes For BobbyG:
#10
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,508
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Liked 2,150 Times
in
1,402 Posts
Think about scraping off the windshield, and how the heater in the car will start running warm just as you pull into the parking lot
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,209
Bikes: ...a few.
Liked 410 Times
in
236 Posts
Sorry, no.
Try a new accessory. Try new clothing. Try a new route or modified route. Try a new podcast (one ear). Try pushing your weather limits.
...and then there's Ted Baxter's advice:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxsd6
Also:
"In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game!"
-Mary Poppins
Start taking vitamin D, start drinking coffe or tea when you arrive at work...use caffeine addiction to your advantage.
You just need to find the motivation.
I was off the bike for a year due to a bulging disc in my neck when I was 48. It was the most miserable year of my adult life, physically and mentally. I knew what I was missing, and for the last 9 years I fight for it every morning I can. I pushed my cold weather limits down, I bought studded tires, and recently when the straight bars on the snow bike became too painful I converted my bike to drops...me, myself, and now every ride on that bike proves I can still perform some mechanical work myself, and still ride, and every ride on every bike proves I can overcome injuries and limitations, both physical and mental.
And if you can't find the motivation before you start your ride, you will find it somewhere on the ride or even at the end.
just go, Go, GO!
Try a new accessory. Try new clothing. Try a new route or modified route. Try a new podcast (one ear). Try pushing your weather limits.
...and then there's Ted Baxter's advice:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxsd6
Also:
"In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game!"
-Mary Poppins
Start taking vitamin D, start drinking coffe or tea when you arrive at work...use caffeine addiction to your advantage.
You just need to find the motivation.
I was off the bike for a year due to a bulging disc in my neck when I was 48. It was the most miserable year of my adult life, physically and mentally. I knew what I was missing, and for the last 9 years I fight for it every morning I can. I pushed my cold weather limits down, I bought studded tires, and recently when the straight bars on the snow bike became too painful I converted my bike to drops...me, myself, and now every ride on that bike proves I can still perform some mechanical work myself, and still ride, and every ride on every bike proves I can overcome injuries and limitations, both physical and mental.
And if you can't find the motivation before you start your ride, you will find it somewhere on the ride or even at the end.
just go, Go, GO!
Likes For mcours2006:
#13
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 499
Bikes: Historical: Schwinn Speedster; Schwinn Collegiate; 1981 Ross Gran Tour; 1981 Dawes Atlantis; 1991 Specialized Rockhopper. Current: 1987 Ritchey Ultra; 1987 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott Master; 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper FS
Liked 182 Times
in
115 Posts
Sorry, no.
Try a new accessory. Try new clothing. Try a new route or modified route. Try a new podcast (one ear). Try pushing your weather limits.
...and then there's Ted Baxter's advice:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxsd6
Also:
"In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game!"
-Mary Poppins
Start taking vitamin D, start drinking coffe or tea when you arrive at work...use caffeine addiction to your advantage.
You just need to find the motivation.
I was off the bike for a year due to a bulging disc in my neck when I was 48. It was the most miserable year of my adult life, physically and mentally. I knew what I was missing, and for the last 9 years I fight for it every morning I can. I pushed my cold weather limits down, I bought studded tires, and recently when the straight bars on the snow bike became too painful I converted my bike to drops...me, myself, and now every ride on that bike proves I can still perform some mechanical work myself, and still ride, and every ride on every bike proves I can overcome injuries and limitations, both physical and mental.
And if you can't find the motivation before you start your ride, you will find it somewhere on the ride or even at the end.
just go, Go, GO!
Try a new accessory. Try new clothing. Try a new route or modified route. Try a new podcast (one ear). Try pushing your weather limits.
...and then there's Ted Baxter's advice:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2yxsd6
Also:
"In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
You find the fun and snap!
The job's a game!"
-Mary Poppins
Start taking vitamin D, start drinking coffe or tea when you arrive at work...use caffeine addiction to your advantage.
You just need to find the motivation.
I was off the bike for a year due to a bulging disc in my neck when I was 48. It was the most miserable year of my adult life, physically and mentally. I knew what I was missing, and for the last 9 years I fight for it every morning I can. I pushed my cold weather limits down, I bought studded tires, and recently when the straight bars on the snow bike became too painful I converted my bike to drops...me, myself, and now every ride on that bike proves I can still perform some mechanical work myself, and still ride, and every ride on every bike proves I can overcome injuries and limitations, both physical and mental.
And if you can't find the motivation before you start your ride, you will find it somewhere on the ride or even at the end.
just go, Go, GO!
And, yes, I'm commiserating, even though I live in California where it never gets below 48. Really proves that it's just all mental. Although there is the ageing thing, too.
My problem is that I don't have to pay for parking at work. The last two years that was not the case and it was a shorter ride, so I rode in a lot more.
Likes For BobbyG:
Likes For BobbyG:
#16
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,027
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,010 Times
in
1,710 Posts
Maybe you should cut back on your bike commuting, to keep it fun.
My commute is down to 30 or 35 minutes, so I can tolerate most weather now. And I regret not riding pretty much every day I skip riding. But my winters are not as bad as yours!
When my commute was 70 minutes long, my feet would hurt in the cold weather. It wasn't fun to do more than three days a week.
My commute is down to 30 or 35 minutes, so I can tolerate most weather now. And I regret not riding pretty much every day I skip riding. But my winters are not as bad as yours!
When my commute was 70 minutes long, my feet would hurt in the cold weather. It wasn't fun to do more than three days a week.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,209
Bikes: ...a few.
Liked 410 Times
in
236 Posts
Maybe you should cut back on your bike commuting, to keep it fun.
My commute is down to 30 or 35 minutes, so I can tolerate most weather now. And I regret not riding pretty much every day I skip riding. But my winters are not as bad as yours!
When my commute was 70 minutes long, my feet would hurt in the cold weather. It wasn't fun to do more than three days a week.
My commute is down to 30 or 35 minutes, so I can tolerate most weather now. And I regret not riding pretty much every day I skip riding. But my winters are not as bad as yours!
When my commute was 70 minutes long, my feet would hurt in the cold weather. It wasn't fun to do more than three days a week.
Keep myself motivate, like [MENTION=151366]BobbyG[/MENTION] suggests, is a good idea. I've ordered a few things on line the past couple of months, but there's only so many things you can buy. Doing some maintenance on the bikes helps too.
It has occurred to me, though, that since the weather has taken a turn for the worse I've been riding my winter bikes exclusively. Maybe with some sustained decent weather it's time to bust out the fenderless weekend bikes. It'd be nice to bust out some shorts and short sleeves too, but that's not wise.
#18
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,027
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,010 Times
in
1,710 Posts
I don't ride in shorts in New York for several months in a row. I can't imagine how you can do it in Ontario!
I think one thing that keeps me going is remembering that a bad day on the bike is better than a day off the bike. Cycling is soul work for me, so when it's challenging or annoying, I'm still grateful for it. I rode in the cold rain on Monday night, and visibility was poor. I don't regret it. My riding partner said he was thinking of jumping on the subway, and it surprised me because it hadn't even occurred to me.
I think one thing that keeps me going is remembering that a bad day on the bike is better than a day off the bike. Cycling is soul work for me, so when it's challenging or annoying, I'm still grateful for it. I rode in the cold rain on Monday night, and visibility was poor. I don't regret it. My riding partner said he was thinking of jumping on the subway, and it surprised me because it hadn't even occurred to me.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#19
Senior Member
I've taken the bus the last two days due to the bike being in the shop - It's horrid (plus it's a 35 min walk to the g**d*** bus stop, which is like the entirety of my bike commute.)
#20
Senior Member
This transition into Ontario winter seems to not be the most comfortable one. I've also felt a lot wimpier in the past few colder days than what I recall from past winters. Frozen feet at way-too-warmC.
I'm sure we'll get used to it again and maybe we'll be treated to a slower transition from now on....
I'm sure we'll get used to it again and maybe we'll be treated to a slower transition from now on....
Likes For mcours2006:
#22
Senior Member
Grinning out ( In time.) can lead to burn out. I can agree with most on this list, try something else. You might also want to take a page from the SAD page. Get some light (fluorescent helps the most.) and aim it closely to you. This has save my button many a winter day.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927
Bikes: Death machines all
Liked 87 Times
in
63 Posts
I feel blessed that during rush hour, riding my 16 km to work is faster than driving, which helps my motivation a lot during poor weather. It's also a bonus that there are a lot of breakfast restaurants along my route and a bbq catering kitchen at a pivotal juncture - if I haven't had my breakfast the odors are particularly enticing. It's the ride home that gets to me in bad weather: working too late, temperature dropping, uphill slog, tired/pissed drivers. It helps that a lot of people light up on the way home from work and the odor of high quality legal weed brightens things up a bit.
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 927
Bikes: Death machines all
Liked 87 Times
in
63 Posts
LOL, your posts make me realize what a grinder I am in bad weather. There might be a winter business opportunity for you to send daily motivational texts to us cycle commuter grinders, or writing pithy bits for fortune cookie fortunes.
Side-note: I do love a good fortune cookie fortune. My favorite is: "Help, I'm being held prisoner in a fortune cookie factory."
Side-note: I do love a good fortune cookie fortune. My favorite is: "Help, I'm being held prisoner in a fortune cookie factory."
__________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,209
Bikes: ...a few.
Liked 410 Times
in
236 Posts
I will say, however, that last week during the snow storm, that I did get home faster than had I driven. I fact, there was gridlock at every intersection. But the whole week was a grind, probably because I had to ride on studs all five days. Also probably added an extra two hours or more to the weekly commute time.
Much better thus week. Only on studs once, and more sun, warmer, and better roads.
Much better thus week. Only on studs once, and more sun, warmer, and better roads.