Do you ride when you don't feel like it?
06-17-20, 07:38 PM
#1
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Do you ride when you don't feel like it?
I rode today. Almost skipped it. Glad I went. Gaining strength is real work.
06-17-20, 08:30 PM
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I’ve definitely not rode if I don’t feel rested at least decently or feel run down. It’s easier to make that excuse when it’s cold out ; )
But If it’s just I’m not in a great mood and think about not riding, I then realize that riding will probably put me in a good mood.
But with the weather nice, cycling is often a big highlight of the day.
But If it’s just I’m not in a great mood and think about not riding, I then realize that riding will probably put me in a good mood.
But with the weather nice, cycling is often a big highlight of the day.
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06-17-20, 08:32 PM
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I started working from home on March 16th due to the COVID. I decided to try the 30 days of biking starting April 1st. I'd never done it before because I always leave town for a couple of days in April so I can't do all 30 days. Being home and not traveling at all made me give it a try and I've ridden every day since. So I have been riding on days I didn't want to just to keep the streak going. Since I don't have any trips or anything planned until late August I am kinda wondering how long I can keep it going.
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06-17-20, 09:58 PM
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Mostly, no.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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06-17-20, 10:23 PM
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Not always, but when I do go (while feeling bad) it does lift my mood.
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Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
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Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
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06-17-20, 10:31 PM
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Sometimes, sure. Usually I'll tell myself I'll just ride a couple miles just to move. Sometimes that's what happens, but a lot of times I end up doing quite a bit more.
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06-17-20, 11:35 PM
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I commute. So, yeah.
06-18-20, 11:19 AM
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Do you ride when you don't feel like it?
NOPE
NOPE
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06-18-20, 11:21 AM
#12
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Some of the time, not all the time.
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06-18-20, 03:53 PM
#13
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Mostly no. Unfortunately for me, I'm too good at talking myself out of riding when I don't feel like it.
Most the times that I have managed to get out there when I didn't feel like, after a couple miles, I got over the feeling and had a good ride anyway.
Most the times that I have managed to get out there when I didn't feel like, after a couple miles, I got over the feeling and had a good ride anyway.
06-18-20, 06:05 PM
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I try to. Most of the time it ends up being the right decision
06-18-20, 06:05 PM
#15
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The weather in my end of the world really limits the number of days available for riding (I don't ride in the winter), so I try to get out on days even though I may not particularly feel like riding.
Have worked from home since mid March (due to COVID) and I have managed to get much more riding in as a result. Turned 65 this winter and will retire in a month, so this schedule will become the new normal for me, lol.
Have worked from home since mid March (due to COVID) and I have managed to get much more riding in as a result. Turned 65 this winter and will retire in a month, so this schedule will become the new normal for me, lol.
06-18-20, 06:30 PM
#16
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I almost said "very rarely", but really, it's more nuanced, so after thinking about it, I can say with absolute certainty that... I don't know... When I ride with the purpose of going somewhere and doing something, such as my usual "Go the the Bank, the Post Office, the Store, and back home." routine, then "feeling like it" doesn't really count, since I'm in a totally different mindset than when I go off riding for the joy of riding, though even then, I often find myself taking the "scenic route" on these errand runs.
My more usual problem is not being able to ride when I feel like riding.
My more usual problem is not being able to ride when I feel like riding.
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06-18-20, 06:32 PM
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I do, even if I don't start off feeling like a ride, but once I get going, 99% of the time, I'll be very glad I did, seems to improve my mood.
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06-18-20, 08:53 PM
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If I don’t feel like it, I won’t ride, unless I feel like it.
06-18-20, 11:32 PM
#19
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I hardly ever feel like riding. I ride 3-5 times a week, 400-500 miles a month, anyway. Unless I have a headache or feel dizzy and nauseated, I ride. I know it'll usually make me feel better.
On bad days I don't plan a "workout." I just move my feet around, no stress, and see how I feel after half an hour. Sometimes I feel so much better an easy ride turns into a workout.
Other days I'll plan a workout but feel mushy, so I just take it easy and enjoy moving around.
On bad days I don't plan a "workout." I just move my feet around, no stress, and see how I feel after half an hour. Sometimes I feel so much better an easy ride turns into a workout.
Other days I'll plan a workout but feel mushy, so I just take it easy and enjoy moving around.
06-19-20, 01:39 AM
#20
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Cycling stopped being work for me a long time ago; if I don't feel like it, I don't ride. Most of the time, riding when you don't feel like it doesn't net you any performance gains.
06-19-20, 01:57 AM
#21
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Back when I was an aspiring Pro (never did achieve that but was a pretty good amateur) I followed a strict regimen and that meant riding even if I didn't feel like it and whatever the Coach wanted took precedence. Nowadays, it is somewhat different. Whilst I do have aspirational goals for my racing, I don't follow a strict plan and ride according to how I feel. If I don't want to ride, I won't. Sometimes even, like today, I do want to ride but won't because I can feel my legs need the rest. I did a 16 day run of training every day (included recovery rides, so not full gas every day) but this week took Monday off and now today, saving myself for the weekend.
Edit to add: riding everyday as a recreational cyclist or commuter is very different from training for speed and strength; the latter demands rest days because without them you will not improve. Resting is when your body rebuilds stressed muscles, making them stronger. If I was a recreational cyclist, then yeah, ride every day. Easy.
Edit to add: riding everyday as a recreational cyclist or commuter is very different from training for speed and strength; the latter demands rest days because without them you will not improve. Resting is when your body rebuilds stressed muscles, making them stronger. If I was a recreational cyclist, then yeah, ride every day. Easy.
Last edited by AlgarveCycling; 06-20-20 at 01:06 AM.
06-19-20, 02:12 PM
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When I was in my 20's I rode. Rain, shine, snow, didn't matter.
Now I look outside at the rain and think I could get run over.
The bike gets lonely and so do I...when there is a lot of water coming out of the sky...
But what I found when I was young still holds true
When you ride in the rain, it is usually just you.
Now with COVID and a bad heart, I feel the need to go out no matter what
Usually when I don't feel like riding, it is really my body telling me: "Sir,
Riding is more important now than ever"
So I guess I have to drop the bike on the trainer
Now I look outside at the rain and think I could get run over.
The bike gets lonely and so do I...when there is a lot of water coming out of the sky...
But what I found when I was young still holds true
When you ride in the rain, it is usually just you.
Now with COVID and a bad heart, I feel the need to go out no matter what
Usually when I don't feel like riding, it is really my body telling me: "Sir,
Riding is more important now than ever"
So I guess I have to drop the bike on the trainer
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06-19-20, 05:14 PM
#24
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That's one of the great things about commuting. When it's time for work or home, you just go. For the past 22 years I've ridden every non-vacation /holiday weekday. Since mid-March, though, I've only ridden once or twice a week. Can't wait to ride to work again.
