ill.clyde

Just checked, my last post was last April.

My last ride, prior to Sunday, was September.

Lots of reasons, I got married, got a job that wasn't home based, took a different one that has me on the road an hour each way (so I can't commute like I used to), lost my dad last August to a host of health problems (Congestive Heart Failure among others) and somehow I lost the passion I once had for cycling. Oh ... and I put on all the weight I lost, which is disappointing.

My wife has been encouraging me, gently, to ride again and I put it off. Not sure why I decided to ride Sunday (one of the hottest days of the year) but I did. Seven and a half miles, nothing major, nothing fast ... did another 6.5 last night, but I'm still not feeling that "love" of riding that I used to. Part of me attributes it to age ... I turned 43, and I know my body is changing a bit ... Plus I herniated a disk in my back early this spring, which laid me up for awhile but thankfully hasn't required surgery. I'm somewhat frustrated and a bit disappointed in myself, and I guess i turned to this place to see if I could get my mojo back.

So anyway ... Hi, again, to old friends and to the folks who I don't know, I look forward to getting to know you.

Yendor72

Sorry to hear of all of your troubles. I know last year when I hit 43 I was not feeling the best. Tendonitis in both arms, and generally in pain. Hated getting up out of bed. This past winter I expected to ride a lot more than I did. My enthusiasm waned. While I have been riding I hadn't had the passion for it like last year. As I ride more, my time off the bike is spent by wishing I was on the bike again. My commute is about an hour each way as well, so I don't bike commute either. I ride with my wife and she is a great motivator.

Use that bike time to clear your head, no strava, no other distractions. You've had a rough go of it recently and to me there is nothing more refreshing than getting on my bike an riding just for pleasure. Enjoy it all before the snow balls fly. The get a fat bike and enjoy that magical time when snow is falling and you are riding at night.

indyfabz

The first step in changing the world is changing yourself, so get your butt back on the bike, mister.


Seriously...Believe it or not, I thought of you recently. I think the impetus was the forum's new look. That got me thinking about the subject of signature lines which, naturally, made me think of you and wonder where you went.

ill.clyde

You were one of the first old face I recognized, so I appreciate it

Yeah ... (as I'm working my way through a salad my second day in a row) ... I'm working on it. Being back here is perking me up a bit, but I have a long way to go. Thinking about doing a partial commute. I really miss commuting on my bike.

I like the fat bike idea ... especially living further north these days. Maybe I should set it up as a reward for losing X pounds

jsigone

welcome back


remember to drink lots of water when riding in record heat temps Don't want you bonking on the first week back

indyfabz

With gas prices down, mushrooms shouldn't cost $7/bag.


I bought a new bike (custom ti from a local builder) a year ago this past May, but I don't do as much road riding as I used to. The long-time GF and I split up back in February. It was a long time coming, so it wasn't that hard. Toured in the Black Hills of SD last June and went back to Montana again last month for an 11-day tour. Planning something for the week after Labor Day. Either a ride home from Vermont or eastern Ohio.

ill.clyde

heh

Sorry to read about your GF, but sometimes it's for the best. Gorgeous bike ... I've often thought about switching from AL to TI

rumrunn6

right on man! maybe if you buy something, it help motivate you to ride more. seems to work for me :-)

ill.clyde

Another pair of bibs and a couple of jerseys are needed ... So I'm already looking

obed7

the loss of the passion, the gung ho... is to be expected with all that has happened in your life.
Men do not like to think about or admit that they are affected by their emotions, but we in fact are...sometimes healing/feeling normal after a loss takes some time... get on the bike and get going...let it help you heal...putting the weight back on was part of the grieving, let riding be part of the healing... good luck and keep it fun.

MRT2

Welcome back.

PhotoJoe 

Welcome back. I've thought about buying a fat bike. They look like a fun bike to goof around on here in SoCal, but would be awesome if you live in the snow!

ColaJacket

I think he just traded one GF for another (the custom bike).

But seriously, we're glad you're back to cycling. It may take a while to get back in the habit of riding.

If you truly find you have lost your passion for one kind of cycling, then try a different type (e.g. Fat tire, Mtb, gravel, etc.).

If you don't find a passion there, then maybe you can find it with some other activity that promotes fitness, such as ballroom dancing with your wife.

Good Luck on regaining your fitness. The weight can follow that.

GH

dbikingman

Welcome back, I do recall you. I don't post here often anymore as many others are faster at posting and I don't want to be redundant. Sorry to read about all your troubles, I think there is a word for it... it is called life.

I commuted to work a few years ago. I stopped when I went to four ten hour shifts, I've considered going to 5 8's so I can commute again. Once thing I liked about commuting was the sense of accomplishment in that I was using for transportation and not just riding around. I currently am on a training program where each ride has a purpose to a goal of getting fitter faster. This helps in that I know the ride is accomplishing something.

NYSteve

Welcome back, I feel your pain. It took me a while to get back into cycling this Spring.

Turzy

Welcome back!

MRT2

Condolences on your loss. I lost my Dad 5 years ago and also let my riding drop off to almost nothing for about a year.

As for losing your passion for riding and re gaining weight, I have been there, too. It is natural not to feel passionate about riding when you aren't in cycling shape. Just start riding and don't measure your success against what you used to be able to do. When I got back to riding a year after my Dad passed, my first few weeks of riding was terrible. My weight was way up and my endurance, way down. One day on an unusually hot day in June, I had to go home after riding for just 15 minutes because I felt so bad. And while I got my cycling legs under me in fairly short order, I didn't really get back into decent cycling shape until the following spring. And I still struggle with my weight, even to this day. (I have come to the conclusion that I cannot rely exclusively on cycling to lose weight or maintain weight loss. The riding season is too short, the off season too long, and I never have been able to commute by bike)

If you find yourself back in the Milwaukee area, shoot me a pm and maybe we can go for a ride.

MikeRides

Welcome back! I also haven't been on my bike as much this year as I used to be. I started a new job almost a year ago which has me working 10-12 hour shifts 6 days a week instead of 8-10 hour shifts 5 days a week. Throw in parenting responsibilities and I barely have time to sleep not to mention continue any hobbies I once had.

ill.clyde

Many thanks you guys ... means a lot.

Third ride was yesterday, was a gorgeous day, motivation was a bit lacking, but I needed to get out of the house and clear my head, so I pushed myself out the door and onto the bike.

Just shy of 12 miles, longest ride so far in three rides ... but the best part is, I think I'm starting to feel that joy again ... I really enjoyed myself.

On to August!

joeyduck

I am stumbling across this thread late, but it is nice to see you back. I am sorry for everything you have gone through, it is a lot to go through. I hope that you are able to persevere through and get back on the bike and get those good vibes going again.

Black wallnut 

Welcome back and hope to read of more rides!

LGHT

Kinda getting back myself after riding 2-3 times a week a little over a year ago. Like you life changes, more working, and back problems. I got on the old tarmac a few times over the last few months and just didn't enjoy it like I used to mainly due to my back hurting after 20 miles. Well a few weeks ago I found a new Roubaix expert for $1500 and riding has been fun again.

Although I don't feel like I'm always sprinting I still feel fast and can actually ride harder longer because I'm not in any type of pain anymore. The only down was getting passed by a lot of riders which my ego has to get used to until I get back into form..