Losing your mojo

all this rain is losing me my mojo
#unsealedda7600hubs

Mojo returning after a couple of years of absence.

Since moving central most of my clients have been within walking distance of work. Unfortunately I didn't even get the walking exercise because I dislocated my knee in a ski accident in 2014 and then damaged my foot earlier this year which meant that I couldn't walk far so had to take quite a lot of taxis and public transport.

Even though my foot problem was ok to ride on (carbon shoes ftw) I just couldn't face getting on a bike for fun not least of all because my fitness had slipped so much. I've piled the weight on and missing out on this year's London Marathon pissed me off even more.

My injuries have all healed and a year of solid physio and exercises has helped me get my muscle balance back in my legs and my new client is a fantastic decent length bike commute from home. I've been for a few 50 to 100mi rides and I'm loving every minute I'm spending on the bike again. I'm losing a good pound a week of weight too.

Long may it continue. I've missed you cycling.

Get a pathracer-type bike, chrome bars and rims, brooks, coaster brake... looks great with a suit, moreso than a tarck bike.

I'd rather walk thanks. :D

Feeling great on track bike and road bike. I've also got the added bonus that my road bike was virtually brand new when I had my accident and fits me like a glove so I've got that perfect new bike feeling now I can ride it.

We've gone from a 14 bike to a 4 bike household. I miss my old Dolan @TM :(

Suit yourself...

I'm in a malaise. I really can't be bothered to ride a bike for anything other than transport right now. I really, really dislike riding in the winter.

I just did a running. That was fun and I was only cold for 3 minutes.

Do something different

Dig out a mountain bike or get on a bmx. Sometimes a change can be really useful.

I reneged on riding today as it was freezing, I've had far too many run ins with dozy drivers, and despite re-building bike, had no enthusiasm but actually enjoyed an hour of turbo.

Perhaps indoor riding is the future.

Mojo fizzling out... Need to restore it before its too late.

Not ridden much in a few months due to injury niggles and struggling to get back into shape. Whenever I go out I just get disheartened by how sluggish and stiff I feel and end up cutting rides short. have been using the turbo a lot whilst looking after the niggles and find its not replicating outdoor fitness (volume of course playing into this) I think turbo is great if supplementing an outdoor base fitness but not vice versa.

Could do with just one decent or different ride, even just a nice sunny one in the usual locale or going somewhere totally new perhaps. Maybe a point to point then train home.

I'm bored with riding, but I'm not bored with building.

I'm once again subjecting myself to the slow but pleasurable acquisition of parts.

I'm really hoping that this will provide the necessary boot in the 'arris which will see me fall in love with riding again.

You need to come back to London. :)

I'm backwards and forwards at the moment. Two weeks in both.

I'm so tired.

Lemme know when you're back!

Will do.

Pick a day where there's a healthy breeze that will give you a helping hand to a seaside destination, then train home. A new route will keep the brain engaged and the tailwind will make smashing it feel easy, providing the needed morale boost. Bang! Mojo restored.

You're welcome.

It's back (a bit)!

Spied a sunny day on the horizon so took the day off work and went to check out Velo House in Tunbridge Wells, which I'd heard great things about. Plus there's something about the whole ashdown forest area that always makes me happy. Just beautiful and always quite quiet. And nice climbing!

Sun, less wind, some good new roads, legs feeling a bit more lively, and not beating myself up by looking at my power output too much made for good times.

9.2/10 would ride again. Let's hope the mojo remains. Velo House is ace too.

Ridicuously decent weather for a Dec ride
BIke prepped last night
Bucket of porridge and vats of coffee consumed.

Don't want to ride at all.

Feel like i 'should' for both training and to make the most of the weather which is kind of stupid. Went for a ride yesterday as well and wasn't feeling it at all so cut it short. Can't be arsed with that horrible schlep through Crystal Palace to Elmers End etc to get to the nice stuff again today. Considering turbo instead.

FFS

Train it a few miles to cut out the suburban slog?

I second @hoefla's suggestion - roll down the hill to Elmers End, get the train to West Wickham.

Thanks for the above @hoefla @andyp. Was feeling a bit sorry for myself!

Ended up waddling my porridge belly into town for a bit and mooched about to take my mind off stuff. Toying with the idea of turbo now - feeling a bit more motivated.

Think I'm just a bit sick of the only quick way of getting out to the countryside being down that shitkicker Crystal Palace schlep. Sometimes wish there was a park like Richmond or Regents down in SE to get a quick but decent ride in

I found that if I didn't have the motivation, taking the day off was always worthwhile. I'd usually be keen to get out the next day. If the malaise lasted longer, especially at this time of year, then taking a week or two off was usually enough to get the motivation back.

I do find the ride out to West Wickham a bit soul destroying too, but it only takes me 15 minutes to get to the green stuff, so it's always worth it in the end.

After 4 months of nothing but commuting (thanks back pain) I'd thought I'd at least be keeping the engine turning over but I'm getting my arse kicked when I go and to some Regent's laps at a decent pace.

3rd week in a row and my legs are in bits after 30 minutes.

Yep, just need a break from it i think. didn't do anything in the end.

it's weird how living in herne hill kinda area is a bit of a desert for riding - horrible schlep to richmond or regent's park, one quick route to kent, or a massive mission to surrey. not really any other options

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiBK9GTh7lY&sns

Herne hill riding tip for the top: get on train at Denmark hill to Eynsford. Straight into Gnatts Valley and wonderful TNRC territory.

Also, I did the run over to Richmond Patky at night the other day. Took back routes so Wandsworth Common and Putney Park Lane. RP was traffic free, full moon,deer. All kinds of beautiful. Only did one lap, but it gave me a lovely 25miler in a total time out if house of about an hour and a half.