boxelder wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:46 pm Rockbus - give us a 4 fig grid ref of where you live (quick search suggests Warwickshire) and we can maybe plan a few short jaunts/set a few challenges - as a nudge to get you out. A sort of virtual Mr Motivator?

Thanks, don’t even know how to get a grid reference but my post code is cv32 7tb, Not very good at creating routes so some help and challenges would be cool!

This thread strikes a lot of chords with me. Riding / fitness / motivation has really tailed off since covid, especially as my main riding buddies are unable to ride any more.

I was wondering if there was any scope for a regional BB get together once a month or something where we could get some dates in the diary to commit to and have some small group overnighters?

OK, that would be SP3166. The UK is divided into 100x100Km areas and the letters SP are 'your block'. The 31 tells you that you are 31 Km east and the 66 is 66 Km north. Have a read of this: https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk ... eferences/

I'll have a dig about tomorrow, but you've got cycleways, canal paths and a good few bridleways really nearby. Check out the challenge for visiting every grid square nearby - goes in search of the discussion Here we go: https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpB ... rid+square

my old stomping ground, I used to love the old railway through Crackley Woods, as a Coventry kid growing up there in seventies and eighties the Avon valley was a great escape for me on the bike, hope it helps to inspire, it's a great part of the world

Tomwoodbury wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:50 pm This thread strikes a lot of chords with me. Riding / fitness / motivation has really tailed off since covid, especially as my main riding buddies are unable to ride any more.

I was wondering if there was any scope for a regional BB get together once a month or something where we could get some dates in the diary to commit to and have some small group overnighters?

Great idea, I’d love to do that

What about out along the cycleway through Newbold Comyn Park for a lap of Dreycote Water on a gravel bike? Not certain this link will work but
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/180089 ... re&type=2d
Check Komoot for other ideas too - canal loop - https://www.komoot.com/discover/Selecte ... C-1.535812

Interesting thread. I hope you find something that reignites that feeling for you.


I am in a similar position having totally lost any enthusiasm for actually going cycling, or staying out. Its reached the point where I really have to stop myself selling everything related to the sport.

In an attempt to motivate, I have just re built my bike and have dug out a few guidebooks that I used many years ago to refollow the routes. Some are not overly exciting, but its an excuse to ride and a very simple way for me to pick where to go.

To remind myself of another simple pleasure of going out for a ride, I intend to find a nice cafe or pub lunch on each one too.
I am using the Vertebrate books and also Lost Lanes for when its grim

Maybe it will work for me, as I say, I hope something works for you

This possibly won't fit with everyone's tastes, but two major things which keep me motivated are a/ trying to ride/bivvy with other Boners for at least half my outings, and b/ have an interest and/or purpose to the outing that's not just 'the ride'.

There's a number of Boners, generally leaning towards the tramp side of things I think, who seem to be willing to occasionally have Reg along with them, Deity-of-choice help them. They probably regard it as their contribution to care in the community to be fair. It's nice to share all the ridiculous things - and the joys and the problems - which happen on rides. And even if you think you're not really a people person, you've got at least two common interests as a conversational starter-for-10 - bikes and bivvying! Maybe choose someone else who's not a people person and at least you'll be able to ride in companionable silence .

I have little interest (ok, no interest at all really) in just 'going for a bike ride'. There has to be a purpose to keep me motivated to explore. Reg-sufferers will know of my infatuation with slate for example. A couple of years ago I linked 26 old slate quarries in N Wales in my "Better Slate Than Never" tour. Reading up about the social and industrial history beforehand, checking facts afterwards, nosing around the ruins (one old ruin looking at other old ruins...) etc kept me fully motivated. The bike was only a small part of the outing. Not having a fixed route or plan kept me on my toes. Another very good recent example is Kev Blackhound's tour of places his father used to work at.

Also, fix a date to go, and do it no matter what the weather. That'll really test you and give you a sense of achievement afterwards. Buy an advanced train ticket like I do then you'll have to go or waste the fare .

Plainly I'm not minimising the effect of day to day life problems etc on one's motivation but eventually you have to try and break out of the loop. If after a while you genuinely can't break out, then as others have said it's perhaps time to get a bit of professional help. I'd suggest more of us have been there than you might think, and there ain't no shame....

Penn'orth.

Rockbus wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:43 pm

boxelder wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:46 pm Rockbus - give us a 4 fig grid ref of where you live (quick search suggests Warwickshire) and we can maybe plan a few short jaunts/set a few challenges - as a nudge to get you out. A sort of virtual Mr Motivator?

Thanks, don’t even know how to get a grid reference but my post code is cv32 7tb, Not very good at creating routes so some help and challenges would be cool!

I like creating routes. Give me an idea of what gives you the most reward from a ride and I'll map out a 2hr-ish ride and post it up here, if you ride it and report back in Trips and Adventures I'll bung a charity of your choice £20 : )

RIP wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:25 am
I have little interest (ok, no interest at all really) in just 'going for a bike ride'.

I'm the same, always good to have some points of interest, at the weekend I had promised our local cycling campaign group I would recce some local routes for the web-site so came up with a route, 24kms, and followed it more or less, taking pics along the way, and one thing that came from this was a path I had not been on before, by the sea, which has excellent scope for a bivvy, so I plan to return for an overnighter when the weather is a bit better!

jameso wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:58 am ride it and report back in Trips and Adventures I'll bung a charity of your choice £20 : )

Nice one James, that's a very Bearbones thing to do so Reg is in as well . No pressure, Rock .

Tomwoodbury wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:50 pm This thread strikes a lot of chords with me. Riding / fitness / motivation has really tailed off since covid, especially as my main riding buddies are unable to ride any more.

I was wondering if there was any scope for a regional BB get together once a month or something where we could get some dates in the diary to commit to and have some small group overnighters?

We should do this fella, I've got a cracking two dayer that we could start with. The detour around the south was to try to camp in a mate's garden, but it'll be easier to find somewhere on the route.

https://www.komoot.com/collection/22284 ... s-way-down

I was thinking of Sept 16/17 of the weather is not too disgusting.

But can push back into October (might actually be easier for me in October...)

Definitely interested in some small group rides if arranged.
Coincidentally had the event guide for the Calder divide trail arrive today so that should provide some motivation to do some training for that.

James - up for that challenge, I’ve loads of road routes so prefer something for my gravel bike that gets me on trails, canal paths etc via some interesting points of interest….ideally something that will help me get in shape for Calder divide (although lot flatter around here)

Specialist Hoprocker - wouldn’t mind travelling down for that but 16/17 September is Calder divide.

RIP wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:25 am There's a number of Boners, generally leaning to the tramp side of things, who seem to be willing to occasionally have Reg along with them...

I confess to being one such boner but my motivation for #ridingwithReg is to get all the really wet weather out of the way so that I can enjoy my own rides in relatively good weather...

Happy to be of some small service

psling wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 2:18 pm

RIP wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:25 am There's a number of Boners, generally leaning to the tramp side of things, who seem to be willing to occasionally have Reg along with them...

I confess to being one such boner but my motivation for #ridingwithReg is to get all the really wet weather out of the way so that I can enjoy my own rides in relatively good weather...

So true (and smart)..

Miss, Miss.... all the nasty boys are being nasty to me

You ought to share some pics of you in the sunshine. Only wver recall pics of your riding in floods or similar Reg. Even I know that if you're going out with Reg, then make sure you have the waterproofs.

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:27 pm You ought to share some pics of you in the sunshine.

OK, you've got me banged to rights there

Specialist Hoprocker wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 1:18 pm

Tomwoodbury wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:50 pm This thread strikes a lot of chords with me. Riding / fitness / motivation has really tailed off since covid, especially as my main riding buddies are unable to ride any more.

I was wondering if there was any scope for a regional BB get together once a month or something where we could get some dates in the diary to commit to and have some small group overnighters?

We should do this fella, I've got a cracking two dayer that we could start with. The detour around the south was to try to camp in a mate's garden, but it'll be easier to find somewhere on the route.

https://www.komoot.com/collection/22284 ... s-way-down

I was thinking of Sept 16/17 of the weather is not too disgusting.

But can push back into October (might actually be easier for me in October...)

WhatsApp incoming!

Tomwoodbury wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:27 pm

Specialist Hoprocker wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 1:18 pm

Tomwoodbury wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:50 pm This thread strikes a lot of chords with me. Riding / fitness / motivation has really tailed off since covid, especially as my main riding buddies are unable to ride any more.

I was wondering if there was any scope for a regional BB get together once a month or something where we could get some dates in the diary to commit to and have some small group overnighters?

We should do this fella, I've got a cracking two dayer that we could start with. The detour around the south was to try to camp in a mate's garden, but it'll be easier to find somewhere on the route.

https://www.komoot.com/collection/22284 ... s-way-down

I was thinking of Sept 16/17 of the weather is not too disgusting.

But can push back into October (might actually be easier for me in October...)

WhatsApp incoming!

Well done Rockbus and you lot. Sign of a auccessful thread outcome right there. Hope you have a lovely ride/bivy...

Rockbus, ride down to Burton Dassett and bivvy there - one of my favourite spots is that. If you say a date I'll try to make it. Its only 40 mins from Warwick and there is a track along the railway to Harbury, then over the fields towards Gaydon. All flat until the hill at the end.

I've been doing the Veloviewer squares thing for a few years - going out tomorrow in fact to get some stragglers by Daventry - it makes you explore areas you may enjoy or look back on in dismay, but it's all good!

Yeah, that's a tricky one.
Whilst it doesn't quite seem as bad in my case, I recongnise myself in many of your words Rockbus.

And yet... I manage to drag myself out regularly to still the deep rooted curiosity. Mostly alone. Sometimes spontaneous (even a Iceland traverse in wintry conditions), sometimes following a multiple year long idea (may it be for just a one day trip).

Rockbus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:22 am [...]gathering dust rather than bringing me the life I really want to live.

the inspiration is there for me but not the energy or gumption to do anything about it…..really feel like I’m letting life pass me by at the moment.

Since I often procrastinate and look for excuses to not "having" to go out, yet seem to live what many find a adventurous life, here some hopefully helpful tips how I go along with the lazy bugger within.

What helps me is to draw from all those memories, going back to being a kid.
Those, where you remember how good it felt to have done something.
Think of those moments and put them to use. Have a trip you always dreamt of? Did you see yourself hiking across some wilderness for weeks? Seen yourself riding across vast landscapes? These visualisations and the memory of how good it will feel when doing/done are a huge part of the momentum I need to really get started. Then get started. That's enough. With every start more than you hoped/wished for will unfold. If it doesn't go as planned and you're not happy about it, try chaning your perspective. There's surely loads of good things in every attempt.
You already seem to have ideas and plans. Ideally they become ingrained, so following up on them is the most normal thing to do. Now, where do you get that nudge, to kick it off if you're intrinsic motivation still isn't quite there?
Some have mentioned group rides and fixed dates.
How about sorting all your gear in a way, that packing can be done efficiently?

My favourite: talk to your partner about your plans and make sure she/he kicks you out of the house.
If you're such a lucky bastard like me, you'll have a loving partner that knows you too well and likes to send you to the desert. I can be awkward when out of balance (well... even more awkward), dreaming of my ideas rather than fulfilling them and my girlfriend often pushes me into the stuff that lets me refind it - that quick 2 hrs ride in the early evening, just when you realise you'd actually wanted to go on a ride that day. That multi day trip that scares you and you're uncertain about it.
Just a little bit of extrinsic motivation of you like. A little, to tip the balance towards the crucial "getting started".
I often have excuses (pivotal for procrastination) and she'll go on and say eg. "if there's still too much snow, just turn around". Yes. It is so easy. Just go and find yourself, for yourself.

Hope you get out (of it).

Rockbus wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:43 pm

boxelder wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:46 pm Rockbus - give us a 4 fig grid ref of where you live (quick search suggests Warwickshire) and we can maybe plan a few short jaunts/set a few challenges - as a nudge to get you out. A sort of virtual Mr Motivator?

Thanks, don’t even know how to get a grid reference but my post code is cv32 7tb, Not very good at creating routes so some help and challenges would be cool!

If you want to ride ... Godiva Trailriders are always out and about in Coventry ... they're an easy find on FB for the latest goings on.
http://www.godivatrailriders.org/index.shtml

or try

https://www.cyclinguk.org/british-cycle-quest

Always gives me a reason just to get out and ride.

Tractionman wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 10:14 pm my old stomping ground, I used to love the old railway through Crackley Woods, as a Coventry kid growing up there in seventies and eighties the Avon valley was a great escape for me on the bike, hope it helps to inspire, it's a great part of the world

The railway is still there though it's been sanitised for the greater good... used to be a cracking thrash down from Burton Green to Crackley, twisting single track ... then they put a bulldozer through it, then they tarmaced it to 'improve' it..

HS2 runs parallel with it