How do you motivate to get out and ride?

[eileithyia]

essexman has the same dyslexic keyboard that I have, I see.....

[Bob S]

Up,in the morning, do the neccessary chores, to cold to go in the workshop, sit down and vegitate for the morning and have the Archers and Womans Hour for companions, I would rather go for a cycle ride, on the way back call in the Baker's for a fresh baked wholemeal loaf, to much trouble to prepare a meal, so nice fresh sandwiches again. With a bit of luck in a few years when I am a octogenarian I shall drop dead at the end of a ride, while I am still reasonable fit, and save myself the fate of vegitating and can do nothing about it. I think that is a good incentive to keep riding and fit.

[Lawrie9]

Its a glorious evening here where I am. Legs a bit sore and heavy but will do about 20 miles and don't need much motivation to get out and the countryside is beautiful where most people live.. Think of it as putting money in the bank in terms of your fitness and just make cycling part of your daily or weekly routine.

[ukdodger]

I set out a route using some software mapping I've got.

I'm interested Soft. What sort of software is that? I notice with Google earth you can draw a line along an exact route. It would be really useful if that could be printed off in terms of 'rights and lefts'. I could then follow my chosen route using the pages mounted on the handlebars in conjunction with my bike computer thingy.

[reohn2]

Does no one just go for a ride?
Or does a ride have to involve some kind of computerism?
The ride is the ride is the ride?
Let the route unfold itself.

The journey is the reward!

[ukdodger]

Does no one just go for a ride?
Or does a ride have to involve some kind of computerism?
The ride is the ride is the ride?
Let the route unfold itself.

The journey is the reward!

Quite true but I like to know where I'm going and I also enjoy the element of orienteering in following a route.

[Fonant]

I notice with Google earth you can draw a line along an exact route. It would be really useful if that could be printed off in terms of 'rights and lefts'. I could then follow my chosen route using the pages mounted on the handlebars in conjunction with my bike computer thingy.

http://maps.google.co.uk will do that.

Click on the "Get directions" link, enter your start and end points, drag the line as needed, print out the route sheet using the "Print" link. Very nice. Even better if your printer can print two A4 sheets sideways as A5 size, so it'll fold in two...

[ukdodger]

I notice with Google earth you can draw a line along an exact route. It would be really useful if that could be printed off in terms of 'rights and lefts'. I could then follow my chosen route using the pages mounted on the handlebars in conjunction with my bike computer thingy.

http://maps.google.co.uk will do that.

Click on the "Get directions" link, enter your start and end points, drag the line as needed, print out the route sheet using the "Print" link. Very nice. Even better if your printer can print two A4 sheets sideways as A5 size, so it'll fold in two...

Even more interesting. I'll give that a try. Thanks

[reohn2]

Does no one just go for a ride?
Or does a ride have to involve some kind of computerism?
The ride is the ride is the ride?
Let the route unfold itself.

The journey is the reward!

Quite true but I like to know where I'm going and I also enjoy the element of orienteering in following a route.

I can understand that in unfamiliar terrain but I think we're talking about just going out from home for a ride.
I think I can find my way (as I think most people could)within atleast a 50mile radius of where I live,its just matter of which lanes/roads to use.

It just seems as if some folks can't leave the house unless there is some sort of computer related gizmo telling them which turn to take next,perhaps its a childhood of computer related games etc, I dunno.

[ukdodger]

Does no one just go for a ride?
Or does a ride have to involve some kind of computerism?
The ride is the ride is the ride?
Let the route unfold itself.

The journey is the reward!

Quite true but I like to know where I'm going and I also enjoy the element of orienteering in following a route.

I can understand that in unfamiliar terrain but I think we're talking about just going out from home for a ride.
I think I can find my way (as I think most people could)within atleast a 50mile radius of where I live,its just matter of which lanes/roads to use.

It just seems as if some folks can't leave the house unless there is some sort of computer related gizmo telling them which turn to take next,perhaps its a childhood of computer related games etc, I dunno.

I do take your point reohn2 and I admit to an element of 'playing' with stuff associated with cycling. Why do I need to know how far we've cycled each weekend for instance. But we all trip our bike computers before we set off knowing full well the approximate milage anyway. But there is a serious side for me at least. Next year I'm planning the LEJOG and I want to practise working out and following a route using distance travelled along with a written 'turn right, turn left, straight on' log. Also anything that adds to the pleasure of cycling is to me worth it.

[2Tubs]

Most of my cycling is commuting.

The only motivation I need is a pay packet >;o)

Gazza

[reohn2]

........ Next year I'm planning the LEJOG and I want to practise working out and following a route using distance travelled along with a written 'turn right, turn left, straight on' log.

I take your point in this respect,its something that nneeds learning for obvious reasons.

Also anything that adds to the pleasure of cycling is to me worth it

Not quite sure it always adds to the pleasure of cycling but sometimes imposes unnecessary structure/rules times/miles/averages,etc, etc, that needn't be there and detract from the ride itself.
I find it the same when threads appear asking which tracks do others listen to their Ipod/MP3 etc.
Its a distraction from the riding (for me anyway).
Riding for me is a kind of therapy,meditation even,depending on my state of mind (i'm not ill or anything,just mad )

I do have a computer on the bike (to record mileage)and do log my yearly mileage but only that,I deliberately don't look at averages prefering to ride how I'm feeling and relate to that,nor do I think 'oh I should be going up this hill in such a gear and I'm in one lower' or whatever.
Performance,times, and all that jazz is meaningless,the enjoyment is the purity of the ride.The music is the rythmn of riding, for me at anyway.

The OP was asking for ways of motivation.
Some years ago I went through a period of depression which can be quite disabling.Many times I got ready to go for a ride and then thought 'whats the point',after a while (perhaps the turning point?)whenever that thought(the negative thought) entered the head I would do the opposite, even though I had to drag my self out I would do it.I would find invariably 2 to 3miles down the road I would enjoy it, sometimes so much so the riding made me laugh and cry with enjoyment.
This is where I found the purity of riding,that was the reason for my OP.
Thats why I said its a mind thing,and it is,its the mind that stops the enjoyment and also enables it.

Theres much more(or less) to cycling than facts and figures

[ukdodger]

........ Next year I'm planning the LEJOG and I want to practise working out and following a route using distance travelled along with a written 'turn right, turn left, straight on' log.

I take your point in this respect,its something that nneeds learning for obvious reasons.

Also anything that adds to the pleasure of cycling is to me worth it

Not quite sure it always adds to the pleasure of cycling but sometimes imposes unnecessary structure/rules times/miles/averages,etc, etc, that needn't be there and detract from the ride itself.
I find it the same when threads appear asking which tracks do others listen to their Ipod/MP3 etc.
Its a distraction from the riding (for me anyway).
Riding for me is a kind of therapy,meditation even,depending on my state of mind (i'm not ill or anything,just mad )

I do have a computer on the bike (to record mileage)and do log my yearly mileage but only that,I deliberately don't look at averages prefering to ride how I'm feeling and relate to that,nor do I think 'oh I should be going up this hill in such a gear and I'm in one lower' or whatever.
Performance,times, and all that jazz is meaningless,the enjoyment is the purity of the ride.The music is the rythmn of riding, for me at anyway.

The OP was asking for ways of motivation.
Some years ago I went through a period of depression which can be quite disabling.Many times I got ready to go for a ride and then thought 'whats the point',after a while (perhaps the turning point?)whenever that thought(the negative thought) entered the head I would do the opposite, even though I had to drag my self out I would do it.I would find invariably 2 to 3miles down the road I would enjoy it, sometimes so much so the riding made me laugh and cry with enjoyment.
This is where I found the purity of riding,that was the reason for my OP.
Thats why I said its a mind thing,and it is,its the mind that stops the enjoyment and also enables it.

Theres much more(or less) to cycling than facts and figures

We agree completely then. Cadence, averages, most efficient gear etc etc, mean nowt to me. I've never used them although I guess some racing cyclists do all the time (as an aside I'm in awe of these blokes wearing all the gear riding two dimentional bikes who go past me on hills like I'm standing still) all I want is speed which is nice to know sometimes and miles covered. This thread is mildly surprising to me. I thought I alone had trouble pushing the go button. I assumed everyone else had to be held back. There is a real joy to cycling that you cant find in any other method of travel I think. It's a feeling of being 'in' the environment rather than just travelling through it and it's the knowledge that you arent polluting anything, it doesnt cost anything and you're staying fit. It hits a lot of buttons and an excellent way to blow away the blues. It's so easy if you're feeling down to just go further down. You did right.

[thirdcrank]

... it doesnt cost anything ...

Where do you buy your stuff? (Or is that a secret?)

[ukdodger]

... it doesnt cost anything ...

Where do you buy your stuff? (Or is that a secret?)

Ebay mostly. My tourer cost me £20 on which I've spent maybe another £30 in replacement parts. I have three more bikes none of which cost more than £30. All are seventies classics. I just love them.





Ok not for nothing but close dont you think.

Er.. If you know anyone with some pedals as shown on the Peugeot for sale. I'd be interested.