RoadToNowhere

I'm a weenie.

Last evening I had a ride plan. When it came right down to it, I wussed out. It was 60-ish degrees, damp northeast wind blowing, rain on the way. I only had about an hour and a half, and I just didn't have the motivation to get myself dressed and out the door.

I make deals with myself all the time. No ride? Weight training. Which I really detest and avoid every winter. I always say "I'll start in January", but then I keep riding and never do it. So I went to the gym and got started.

It hurts. My legs feel great - good thing. Upper body? That's something else altogether. It hurts to type and my arms don't want to fully straighten out. Overdid it? Probably. So I'll go do it again tomorrow.

Yes, HTFU and all that blah blah blah. I'm trying.

Tell me you've wussed out occasionally. Come on, it's just between us. I won't tell anyone.

Beth

garysol1 

Everyone needs a break sometimes. I am actually thinking about taking the whole winter off this year. The thought of riding that trainer in my basement just drives me nuts. Ill worry about the consequences come March or so.......just a thought.

patentcad

You are not alone.

I'm looking out the window, and it's raining about an inch an hour, with 200 meter visibility. I won't ride today unless the rain lightens up considerably. But when I get dressed to ride, I ride.

You're not a wussy Beth. You just lack perspective. All you need is some nice, serious health issue that knocks you off your bicycle for at least 5 years, like I did. After that, the ability to ride always seems like such a blessing, you just roll. I've been back on my bike for 3.5 years now, and that has not changed.

It is one of the greatest gifts. But it's not easy to get. Ask Lance.

botto 

taking a day, or two off is one thing.

taking a week, or two off is one thing.

hell, even taking a month off is one thing.

taking a winter off... that's something. something i do not advise, if you want to have some reasonable form in the summer.

garysol1 

You know Botto....The older I get the more I realize there is more to life than cycling. I can ski 3 or 4 times a week which will keep me in some sort of shape. Not talking about sitting on my butt......just not sitting on my saddle.

patentcad

XC Skiing will keep you in some sort of shape. Downhill skiing will tone your butt a little. Unfortunately you'll get dumped so hard on the first cycling hill in March the ski bindings back in your garage at home will pop open in sympathy with your detonating cardiovascular system.

botto 

ok, old man river.

PeddlingPilgrim

i'm thinking just a nice pair of running shoes for the winter and some core/upper body work, and the RARE weekend group ride when the weather is ok. THEN a new bike next year, lose just a few lbs. for the spring and try racing again.

patentcad

Often in March and February I'll ride 40-80 miles in the AM and ski all afternoon at the local ski hill. Frankly I don't feel like the downhill skiing is exercise in comparison. A large part of that is our local ski hill is tiny - fast runs up and down. You get much more of a workout at a large Eastern or Western resort. But it's not cardio.

garysol1 

I just HTFU'd up. Ignore everything I wrote previously.
Beth.....You need to HTFU as well.

patentcad

Yeah, just HTFU already. All of you.

chipcom 

I drove to work today, I am wussy.

patentcad

Beth, you had to know when you started this thread that it would inevitably, inexorably, undoubtedly, come down to...

HTFU.

Allegheny Jet

Beth,

Your still young and a change of pace may inspire you more in training and goals setting. Once your past 50, like some of us, passing up a ride takes on a whole different prespective. At your age you are still putting marbles in the bag, some of us have been pulling marbles out of the bag and we cherish and remember every one pulled.

KirkeIsWaiting

When I saw 40 mph gusts yesterday and nearly 70 degrees, I thought cool. Change the route, easy tailwind out and then I bust my butt with a hand in my face all the way home but get to ride along the ocean and catch all it's fury.

I blew off my ride yesterday.
Now I HAVE to ride today.

RoadToNowhere

Allegheny Jet says I'm still young. He's my new favorite.

Forget this HTFU stuff today...no way am I choosing to get on a bike and ride in that northeast wind. Nasty. A good day to go the gym instead, whether I like it or not.

Or I could just drink coffee all day and blow it all off. Hmmmmmm.........

Beth

redirekib

You need to switch to telemark - it's also very humbling - during the learning period.

procrit

The gym can be as addicting as the road for me. That's why I have stayed as far away as possible. Nothing like having an extra 30lbs of upper body weight to lug around.

KirkeIsWaiting

Ugh, I'm with you there today Beth.
But feeling really guilty, knowing I have only 19 days left to ride before I have another shoulder surgery.
Then I'm back to feeling lucky that I can climb up on the trainer and spin in front of the tv.

ok, ok ... I'm going for a ride!

aqua4her

Beth, I feel so much better now that I know you didn't go out either. Today looks even worse, so enjoy the gym, or not.

big john

It was 104 degrees yesterday in my work area (shade). I have lived where there was winter, though, and I still say riding off road is fun in bad weather. The wind isn't a problem and there are no cars to splash you. You just have to pick the route to avoid clay and deep snow.
There is an area of sandstone hills near here so there is never any mud. It's very steep, but I have been up there in a driving rain and still no mud.
On the climbing road rides I barely hang on, so a week off is huge to me.

umd

Heresy

Psimet2001 

......that's like finding out Santa rides a recumbent.

Grasschopper

I was going to ride after work and before Sebastian's soccer practice but he asked if we could ride the tandem to soccer. It was awesome...35 min each way...but a bit chilly and dark on the ride home (plenty of lighting to keep us safe though).

Then I went to my VB match and wow I am sore today...I need to hit the Bowflex.

But yea HTFU...and come up to CENTRAL PA next weekend for some hill climbing fun.

Nachoman

Do as I say. Not as I do. HTFU.