Losing your mojo

Oh and eat some chocolate.

I don't know where this all-consuming fear has come from but it's making me really unhappy (am I a chopper now??).

I've been this way for ages now. I've no real idea what's caused mine either, but it's making me miserable too. I've been taking public transport for months which also makes me sad, because it is public transport, vom, but at least I don't need to struggle with the DO NOT WANT sensation rising in my throat when I look at one of my bikes :/

TBF you did just cycle across Europe though, that'd be enough to put most people off for a bit.

Peoples have spoken but just to add a +1 to all of the above. It happens @hats.

Mix things up (ride free/fixed, off/on road, far/close from home, for fun/fitness/utility, late at night, early at lunchtime, in your living room, out of your head... or whatever you haven't done for a while) or more likely... just take a break and don't think about riding at all.

And don't worry about it.

Out of your head sounds nice.

Anyone fancy a repeat to Avebury but on midwinter's night? Bet there's no twats off their faces then.

Except me, I'll be a twat.

I'd be up for that Skully. As long as it isn't raining or icing ..

Cool.

Let's just bump the summer thread, sort it there.

Thanks all. I feel like a massive tit, my confidence has been slowly ebbing away, maybe since my disastrous attempt at the Lea Valley velodrome. I can't believe I did cyclocross races in the summer - feels like a lifetime ago. I can't bear the thought of cycling in front of anyone right now.

I know I did just cycle across Europe on my own but that kind of seems different. Maybe because it was just me, on my own, in the middle of nowhere for days on end.

I feel guilty/like a failure using public transport, but I probably do need to give myself a break. I worry that by not riding I'm reinforcing/legitimising the anxiety in my head, when I've been cycling in London for more than a decade and it's totally fine, it's just my brain that's gone haywire. Idiot brain.

It's not all of your brain, just that tiny part of it that snipes away at the good stuff.

I'd echo what others have said, take a break, relax, go for a ride if you feel like it or try something completely different and, sooner or later, you'll probably want to ride again. It's always worked for me in the past.

Yeah, just do other stuff for a while. Don't tell my girlfriend I said this, but there are many amazing things in life outside of cycling.

If you're finding commuting crap - try changing the time you do it at. Makes a big difference to ride to work on mostly empty roads, a bit later or earlier than normal. I commuted at 8am this morning and it was awful, I normally either go at 7am or 9am to avoid all the hi viz warriors and suicidal peds.

Don't tell my girlfriend I said this, but there are many amazing things in life outside of cycling.

Woah! Let's not get carried away.

shh.

I feel guilty/like a failure using public transport

Hey, I used the Tube and buses yesterday and I'm bloody awesome!

Embrace your inner buswanker!

Hey, I used the Tube and buses yesterday and I'm bloody awesome!

Modest too, I see, you twat.

Modest too, I see, you twat.

Fuck off, hippy!

Don't tell my girlfriend I said this, but there are many amazing things in life outside of cycling.

I haven't been out on a Sunday ride in months and it's great. I can have a lie in, do some studying, play some computer games and Scoot doesn't get annoyed at me waking her up while getting ready.

Riding early on the weekend is for people with children and mugs. Especially at this time of year. Last weekend I found myself up at 6am (at the behest of a child-owning clubmate), trying to remember what part of going out in the dark with lights on and rain coming down I actually enjoy (obviously it's the company).

Lie-in, toast, second coffee, etc etc for the win.

If you're finding commuting crap - try changing the time you do it at. Makes a big difference to ride to work on mostly empty roads, a bit later or earlier than normal.>

Very much this. I used to leave for work at 6 a.m. and the roads were empty. I have changed roles slightly so now leave and 7 a.m. and the roads are jammed.

Riding early on the weekend is for people with children and mugs.

.. and people who will 'literally' be out all day

Love the early commutes, just really struggle these days to get up early after a late night. Must be gettin' old.

Yeah I forgot to include 'idiots' in my list...

Turn right!

Hate to tell you this Hippy but when you are my age you just wake up early regardless. Unless of course you just rode 500 miles in 24 hours. (Chapeau!)

I used to love the early starts but this year initially made a conscious effort to get more sleep and now I just can't be bothered enough to move so sleep through the alarm(s). It just means I work later, get home later, eat later, go to bed later and the cycle perpetuates.

Riding early on the weekend is for people with children and mugs.

That's me on both counts. I do find it particularly nice cycling through dawn though... #clutchingatstraws

I've started riding more recently. It brings out the inner consumer in me though and I want to buy lots of bike stuff, for no particular reason, which is a bit depressing.

Well, I hardly ride at all bit still want to buy lots of bike kit.

Worse, methinks.