Shp4man

I've gotten lazy of late, and would rather play video games and drink beer than ride. I'm 67, and still work a 40 hour week. I still have five bikes, mosty with flat tires at this point, but amazingly the old Schwinn cruiser's tires aren't flat. Maybe it's a sign from God. Don't know. But anyway, I've gained 20 pounds in 6 months. I need some damn motivation..... Help!!
Convince me to start riding again!
Thanks.

VicBC_Biker

You are still young - get going!

Believe me. At 74 it's harder to 'whip myself into shape' than it was even 5-7 years ago.
So don't delay.

zandoval 

Get off your Arse Stud... Start by cleaning up your bikes, the rest will come naturally...


You Know THIS...

big john

Maybe just start with a very easy cruise around your neighborhood. Just look around and check out the sights. Just make it fun and don't worry about your weight or going fast for now.

canklecat

Skip the clipless pedals and anything that feels like pressure to suit up. Pick one bike that you can just hop on anytime, wearing anything, and ride around the block. Once you get started and warmed up, keep riding if you feel like it. Otherwise, any exercise is better than none.

I enjoy my road bikes and ride them often. But sometimes the ritual of suiting up -- clipless shoes, shorts or bibs, jersey, etc. -- causes me to hesitate. The whole ritual can take an hour, between dressing, rigging up the cameras (I never ride without video cameras, after being hit by negligent drivers too many times), lights in case I'm out after dark or starting early, enough water and snacks to last me for a 2-5 hour ride, etc. The entire road bike experience can turn into a religious experience, cult, job or chore if we let it. I've been doing it on and off since the 1970s and it's always been like that.

Some days I'd rather go for a walk or jog than suit up for the road bikes. I'll just wear whatever t-shirt I'm wearing, pull on some shorts and go. I almost always wear adidas, Under Armour or comparable running shoes, so I'm pretty much always suited up for a walk around the block, and maybe a little jogging if I feel like it.

So I have one hybrid I really enjoy riding, an early '90s Univega hybridized mountain bike (I replaced the original flat bar with a Nitto Albatross swept bar and bar-end shifters). Comfy saddle so I don't need padded shorts. Big iSSi Thump platform pedals that grip pretty much any shoes. Doesn't matter what I'm wearing, as long as it's suitable for the weather.

A few months ago I bought some Atreyu running shoes from a little startup company in Austin, mostly advertising by word of mouth among runners. Turns out they're great for cycling with platform pedals. The shoes look and feel a bit like old school Keds or Converse sneakers, but with better fit, arch support and soles for running. And they weigh practically nothing, like 6 ounces each. Yet they're less fussy than some running shoes and feel great for jogging, walking or bike rides. So when I know I want to do something outdoors but haven't decided what, I'll pull on those shoes, have coffee, eat a bit and decide whether to walk, jog or ride the bike. I'm already "suited up" just wearing the shoes, a t-shirt and shorts.

I also put heavy duty puncture resistant tires and tubes on the hybrid so it's less likely a casual ride will turn into an unpleasant chore. And on my heavier comfort hybrid I use massively puncture resistant Michelin Protek Cross Max tires, heavy duty tubes and gooey liquid sealant inside the tubes, so I'm less likely to need a flat repair kit.

Bigbus

I couldn't agree more with what VicBC said, at 71 I am so glad I never quit. There is no greater feeling than jumping on a bike and feeling the power flow out of your legs as you accelerate down the road. It reminds you that you're still alive and viable. Now get your ass off the damn couch and get out there! Life is too short as it is.

maddmaxx 

If sitting around drinking beer and gaining 20lbs hasn't motivated you yet sell the bikes.

No easy answers here.

debade

I might start by only buying beer by bike. I would add getting to work by bike. If you live far away, put your bike on your car and bike the last x miles. Commit to one weekend ride as a % of total weekly calorie consumption. Add an extra penalty for beer. Reduce penalty if you start losing weight.

Report back to this forum. If you do, we will guess you have been convinced to get back to biking and reduced weight. If you do not update us, we will all also feel badly and likely need to post about providing advice and encouragement. Not only is your future in your hands but so is ours.

10 Wheels

Sell four bikes , buy Beer.

alo

Most likely anything people on the internet say wont make much difference.

You need to put in the effort yourself.

horatio 

I thought I was the only one! No beer, but I've picked up 25 pounds since I stopped riding regularly (about two years now). I just don't like my nearby roads anymore. Too much traffic now from all the new housing. "Suiting up" is also a detriment, whereas once it was an enjoyable ritual. CankleCat, I'd never ride if it took an hour to prepare!

10 Wheels

When I was 67. Great Way to see the country.

fishboat

Keep playing video games, drinking beer, and gaining weight..on that track you won't be around long term to worry about getting back on the bike...so there's that. You could always move things along by taking up smoking.

(get off your arse..we can't do it for you)

AmFaeEmbra

Have you ever stood back from a situation and turned it upside down? So if a friend said "I've gained 20 pounds in 6 months. I need some damn motivation..... Help!!" what would you advise him?

If I promise myself to go out for a few miles on a certain day, something always crops up. But if I've arranged to meet someone for a cycle, that happens - because I've made a commitment. Can you find someone nearby who wants to go out for cycle runs and buddy up? Have a search for cycling/road bike/mountain bike etc. on https://www.meetup.com/ for where you live and see what's happening. If nothing comes up, why not start something local to you? Describe what type of cycling you're after and see what happens.

You'll get there!

rumrunn6

today is the youngest we will be for the rest of our lives

BobbyG

Buy an electric-assist bike and rediscover the thrills of motion and movement. Remember how good it feels to be riding? You'll get there quicker on an e-bike.

Your past post show you like the mechanical-ness of bikes. On 12-13-20 you posted "I tend to like bikes not so much for racing pedigree but everyday usability and attractive design."

You can't beat an e-bike for everyday usability.

Or...

Figure out a mod for one of your existing bikes, or find a new project bike that is already ride-able and start wrenching...you'll want to ride it to explore it's new modified personality.

"When the rider is ready, the bike will appear"

Or...find a podcast you may enjoy, put an earbud in ONE ear and go riding...or at least take a walk.

Cycling is like an old familiar tune, once the music starts your body will remember and "sing" along.

The endorphins are out there waiting to flood your mind and body.

brianmcg123

My riding usually tails off in the winters, and I get out of the habit. The best way to get motivated for me is to do a tune up and detail of my bikes. Then of course I need to test ride them afterwards.

Watching Breaking Away also helps.

GlennR

Need motivation....

Go to the town pool wearing only a speedo.

tkamd73 

Time to retire, your old, work is taking too much of your energy! You will have more time to drink beer, play video games, and ride.
No one, on their deathbed says to themselves, “ Gee I wish I went to work 1 more day”. My bike mileage increased tenfold after retirement.
Tim

10 Wheels

Don't know HOW I found Time to Work.

zandoval 

Anyone who does not have one of these is sorely handicapped. If nothing else it's emergency transportation!!!

Iride01 

You really want to let some uppity 63 y.o. like me ride circles around you, then go ahead and stay at home. Otherwise get out there and ride.

I have no motivation issues once I get on the bike and start pedaling. However it does take some effort sometimes just to get off my duff. It does help when someone else asks if I want to ride or even when I ask them.

Most of my rides are solo though. So many times it's just I know that for several days after a 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hour ride I'll feel really great.

Inusuit

When I was running for cardio, it helped my motivation to have a friend to run with. We encouraged each other on days when one of us wanted to stay on the couch. Maybe there is someone whom you can find as a riding partner and motivate each other.

I'm 76 now and appreciate the low impact of bike riding. Thankfully I quit running before my knees gave out. I have a couple of friends I ride with but am also appreciative of the days when I go solo.

I have no problem with motivation as riding has become addictive.

Bigbus

For all our sakes, please don't!

shelbyfv

Working saps your energy. I'd have been depressed if I was still working at 67. On the other hand, cycling doesn't suit everyone. At some point you deserve to do what you want. If you enjoy video games and beer, go for it!