How do you deal with the sheer boredom of cycling long times like an hour ?
08-27-21, 05:50 AM
#1
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How do you deal with the sheer boredom of cycling long times like an hour ?
When I rode for 25 mins. it seemed like forever. My fitness was ok, but I think I was randomly riding a small loop around the neighborhood had me wanting to go home at every turn.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
08-27-21, 06:03 AM
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When I rode for 25 mins. it seemed like forever. My fitness was ok, but I think I was randomly riding a small loop around the neighborhood had me wanting to go home at every turn.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
however, the idea of doing repeated laps of a small loop would have me contemplating hanging up the bike - definitely try riding further afield - there’s lots to see out there
Last edited by Litespud; 08-27-21 at 06:17 AM.
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08-27-21, 06:12 AM
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When I rode for 25 mins. it seemed like forever. My fitness was ok, but I think I was randomly riding a small loop around the neighborhood had me wanting to go home at every turn.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
The only time I ride a loop repeatedly is in a criterium, and I don't do that any more. But, those rides were never boring. These days I just ride a lot, and a long ways, and the scenery is always changing and I get to see cool stuff. No time to be bored.
08-27-21, 06:15 AM
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When I rode for 25 mins. it seemed like forever. My fitness was ok, but I think I was randomly riding a small loop around the neighborhood had me wanting to go home at every turn.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
08-27-21, 06:19 AM
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The real question is: How do we deal with the sheer boredom of reading CheGiantForLife 's endless threads?
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08-27-21, 06:37 AM
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When I rode for 25 mins. it seemed like forever. My fitness was ok, but I think I was randomly riding a small loop around the neighborhood had me wanting to go home at every turn.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
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08-27-21, 06:52 AM
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I get it, route boredom is a very real thing. My morning rides take me on a 3 1/2 mile lap around town, and I do that three times. It can get a bit tedious, so I either just stay alone with my thoughts or I switch up the route a little. But going on long rides of, say, 20-50 miles or more, there's plenty of changing scenery to look at so boredom is less of a thing, even on routes I've ridden many times before. But for me, the sheer enjoyment of being out on the road on a bike is enough to keep me going.
Maybe you need to plan out a nice long 20 mile ride going from point A to point B and back, making a nice big loop and not taking the same route home. Find some hills to climb as a challenge. Find some interesting places to ride to. Find someone to ride with to talk to as you ride. If you still find yourself wanting to go home at every mile, then I agree with the above poster that maybe cycling just isn't for you. I don't want to chase anyone away from cycling, but if you're not enjoying it then it seems fruitless to keep doing it. So either find a way to enjoy it or stop.
Maybe you need to plan out a nice long 20 mile ride going from point A to point B and back, making a nice big loop and not taking the same route home. Find some hills to climb as a challenge. Find some interesting places to ride to. Find someone to ride with to talk to as you ride. If you still find yourself wanting to go home at every mile, then I agree with the above poster that maybe cycling just isn't for you. I don't want to chase anyone away from cycling, but if you're not enjoying it then it seems fruitless to keep doing it. So either find a way to enjoy it or stop.
08-27-21, 07:00 AM
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I once did 80 Laps around the block. 40 miles. Met many nice neighbors.
Completed 500 miles on this track.
Completed 500 miles on this track.
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08-27-21, 07:12 AM
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If you ain't having fun, you are doing it wrong. For me, cycling isn't exercise that I need or have to do, it's exercise that I get to do. That's why I don't get caught up in Strava or recording my mileage or watts. I'm out on an adventure to see the world. I 'll stop to take pictures. smell the flowers, or go skinny dipping in the creek.
As suggested though, change your route. I'm lucky to live where I can ride 4 miles of pavement to a national forest where I could get lost for days on decent gravel roads if I wanted. There's lots of hills, and even waterfalls with pristine swimming holes.
As suggested though, change your route. I'm lucky to live where I can ride 4 miles of pavement to a national forest where I could get lost for days on decent gravel roads if I wanted. There's lots of hills, and even waterfalls with pristine swimming holes.
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08-27-21, 07:18 AM
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Regarding the above pic at IMS. I’ve done 250 miles there, on foot, running the Indy Mini.
Dan
08-27-21, 07:27 AM
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You've gotta go somewhere interesting, or give yourself an errand to run. Either plan a loop through an area with which you are unfamiliar or that has great scenery, or challenge yourself to get lunch at an interesting deli in the next town over. There is a great ice cream shop about 30km from my house; I lost count of the number of 60km rides I have done where I return home with a chocolate stain on my cycling jersey. Riding multiple laps of one loop near your home sounds like torture.
I used to live in a city where there were very few towns within easy riding distance - a couple of 'villages' with maybe one store, but nothing that was, in my opinion, worth a trip. I got really into mountain biking when I lived there, because riding on trails makes the ride more of a focus than the destination.
Furthermore, some long distance tourists I have known generally, after the first hour or so on any given day, don't ride more than 20 or 30 minutes at a stretch... riding 200km is just doing ten 20km rides.
I used to live in a city where there were very few towns within easy riding distance - a couple of 'villages' with maybe one store, but nothing that was, in my opinion, worth a trip. I got really into mountain biking when I lived there, because riding on trails makes the ride more of a focus than the destination.
Furthermore, some long distance tourists I have known generally, after the first hour or so on any given day, don't ride more than 20 or 30 minutes at a stretch... riding 200km is just doing ten 20km rides.
08-27-21, 07:30 AM
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god, if you’re not enjoying it, don’t do it. For me, solo rides are “me time” - I ponder whatever comes to mind, I talk to myself, I chill, but most of all, I enjoy simply being on the bike. Group rides bring a different dimension. You know you’ve found your activity when, even when you’re trashed, you want to keep going. Cycling does that for me. Maybe not for you. Maybe look for something you like better.
however, the idea of doing repeated laps of a small loop would have me contemplating hanging up the bike - definitely try riding further afield - there’s lots to see out there
however, the idea of doing repeated laps of a small loop would have me contemplating hanging up the bike - definitely try riding further afield - there’s lots to see out there
08-27-21, 07:35 AM
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08-27-21, 07:43 AM
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"I hate what I am doing. Help me."
Stop doing it. Do something else.
Stop doing it. Do something else.
08-27-21, 07:47 AM
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08-27-21, 07:50 AM
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An hour isn't a long time. It takes that long just to get warmed up.
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08-27-21, 07:54 AM
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Ever ride on Sebring International Raceway? Talk about getting beaten up by the road.
https://www.sebringraceway.com/
08-27-21, 07:54 AM
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Easy laps are still more *fun* than riding stationary.
I do ride laps somedays and enjoy not having to worry as much about cars so can escape more to thoughts or bliss.
Consider other routes and your cycling enjoyment should increase.
I do ride laps somedays and enjoy not having to worry as much about cars so can escape more to thoughts or bliss.
Consider other routes and your cycling enjoyment should increase.
08-27-21, 08:02 AM
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How do you deal with the sheer boredom of cycling long times like an hour ?
Just have to find the right roads.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5301297909
When I rode for 25 mins. it seemed like forever. My fitness was ok, but I think I was randomly riding a small loop around the neighborhood had me wanting to go home at every turn.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
To reach an hour, I'll need to find a longer single loop that will not give me the option of bailing out. Kind of like running laps.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5301297909
08-27-21, 08:12 AM
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You should try a different cycling discipline. Don’t wear earbuds on the road or MUP as your solution. You should start a thread asking if that’s a good idea first.
08-27-21, 08:33 AM
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Don’t worry, riding will get a lot more interesting once you graduate from a Strider bike and you’re allowed to cross the street.
08-27-21, 08:38 AM
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08-27-21, 08:52 AM
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I can understand your boredom in a way. Its like when you try to get me on a stationary bike. It truly is not a good match.
But for my rides... Who's got time to be bored? My routes are a relatively short complex path that changes with my personal abilities and the road conditions. I can't really take my eyes off the road and surroundings for a second. Looks like you have to find an more interesting route...
But for my rides... Who's got time to be bored? My routes are a relatively short complex path that changes with my personal abilities and the road conditions. I can't really take my eyes off the road and surroundings for a second. Looks like you have to find an more interesting route...
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