Cycling is a sport that can get to you. For once I don’t mean in a heartfelt sort of way, when one suffering or a moment of brilliance can inspire you in a way that non-cyclists just don’t get. It can, on occasion become a grind. This week it was getting that way. Let me explain.
It is a well known fact that you can’t be at your best all the time; mental and physical fatigue will inevitably get to us all at some point. I had a hard start to the year, putting in lonely winter miles for the Tour of Flanders sportive, which I ended up not riding! Undeterred, I carried on hitting the miles for a trip of the Alps in June and once back and over the incredible bounce in form it gives you, I had run out of steam.
With my Time Trial bike still disassembled and not enough funds to get it sorted, I went through the phase of being unmotivated by cycling. In my mind it had sort of become futile. I had nothing to aim for, my body was a bit tired and mostly I was mentally ready for a change.
What had really happened was that I had forgotten what I enjoyed about cycling. It had all become about hammering it, all the time. That average 30 mile loop training loop had become stale and looking at my average speed was getting boring. I went off running, which I enjoyed. I entered the Nottingham Marathon and slowly my body fell to pieces. Injured, it was back to the bike.
I still had nothing to train for on the bike but it was back to being fun. The memories of the 30 mile loop had become distant and riding the usual routes was a bit of novelty again. This can’t last for long though, because it’s September and I have nothing to aim at. I’m no hill climber, I’m a headwind specialist from the flattest area of the country.
And it is the flattest area of the country, the Fens, where the conclusion to this story is set. I’ve come back ‘home’ for a weeks holiday. Predictably I rode home and after the classic Sunday run I have a week to fill. The landscape doesn’t really lend itself to cycling. It’s pan flat, and windy. Very windy in fact. It’s really not that fun smashing your legs to pieces in a 20 mile headwind going 11mph. With nothing to train for I wondered if I’d actually find any fun in flogging myself on these dull roads and wondered if I could be bothered to get out ride.
So yesterday I didn’t flog myself when I went out. I spun a small gear, took it easy and just enjoyed the ride. I stopped for a coffee on a 25 mile ride; something I would never usually consider! But it was great. I remembered why cycling was so great. I felt at one with my steed, not fighting it. I took in the sights across the fields like I haven’t for a long time. In the wind I just kept the gear spinning. I had all day to get home and I was enjoying it. My average speed was below 17mph, pedestrian for the area and distance. But it just felt right; a brilliant ride. This is something I should really do more – not be a slave to the bike or the speedometer and remember that primarily cycling is fun and that’s all it has be.
What will I do with this recalibration of my love of cycling. Well, predictably I’m going to go and hammer it round an old training route later. The difference now though; I’m excited about getting back on those roads. I just hope I find a similar ride next time I need to reignite my passion for the thing I love most.
JB's Cycling World 