Just like all aspects of life, mountain biking has its seasons and your riding has its own peaks and valleys.
A peak would be your high points, and a valley the low points.
Sometimes you feel like Lance Armstrong, blowing away the competition, no rider can touch you and your incredible skills.These times are obviously the peaks. The valleys are when just pushing the pedal forward even a little takes everything you have, all of the energy you can muster is sucked out of you with every pedal stroke.
So how do you deal with this kind of motivation slump? How do you regain your desire to ride?
I asked for some input from the nearly 500 devoted mountain bikers that follow along with me on Twitter and got some great and funny input from them. Which by the way, if you’re not following along head over to twitter.com/TexasMTBtrails and click that follow button!
The best answer was this from @stearns4.
But the funniest definitely belongs to @beardedyoda.
Whatever it is that motivates you to keep getting on that bike and to keep climbing those hills, just let it be and keep going with it. The more important part is to recognize why you are feeling that way and to confront it.
For me this is sometimes just a feeling of being unmotivated, and sometimes its downright depression on the bike… which, yes that seriously does happen, I’m not Captain MTB 24/7. I have learned that I usually get that way because of one of these 3 specific reasons.
- I’m over-stressed about work or this website
- My diet has been ultra bad
- I’m not right with God
For you it could be something completely different. It could be a relationship that is frustrating you or worries over finances. Whatever the reason it is important to realize what it is.
The next time that you begin feeling this way, on or off the bike, take a deep breath, clear your head, and really think about the reason behind it.
Be sure you look past that initial frustration like “this hill is too steep” or “my dog just threw up on the carpet“. Most likely you were already bothered by something before you ever sat on the bike at all. Figuring out what that is will put you one step closer to knowing yourself and what truly makes you happy.
If nothing else, as my friend Darryl at Loving The Bike says start asking yourself “What’s Right“.
Just by looking at things positively your attitude will start adjusting itself. Here’s a list of positive things to get you started.
- You’re alive
- You’re exercising
- You’re physically capable of mountain biking
- You’re improving your body and mind through an activity you love
- You have free time to enjoy reading a great blog and are able to share it with friends (hint hint)
Keep adding to that list and staying positive. Life is a roller coaster of peaks and valleys, enjoy the high points and tough out the low. The low points can be hard to overcome on and off the bike, the key is to surround yourself with supporting and positive people. If you’re looking for some encouragement or someone to talk through a frustration feel free to contact me through my on the contact page, or you can send a direct message on Twitter. I want to help you succeed both on and off the bike.
I also have some very exciting news that I will be sharing with the community in just a few weeks. I can’t wait to let you in on this secret!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Your advise on looking at whats right and being positive is a good way to look at situations when your down. Its good to see how you overcame the things you have struggled with. Its a never ending battle sometimes.
Thanks Oz!
It really is a neverending battle. All I can do is put my faith in God and trust that he will provide. I don’t know how I would overcome some things without that faith.