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Why I hate cycling (Page 2)
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 2009-06-24 10:27 AM in reply to: #2239480 |
Expert  1035   lake forest, California |  Subject: RE: Why I hate cyclingnoelle1230 - 2009-06-24 8:24 AM CptDondo - 2009-06-24 10:14 AM It just sounds like you have the wrong bike.... Has anyone videoed you while riding? Get a friend to drive alongside and video you. I'm going to guess that the frame or the setup is radicallly too small for you. I bought my bike from one of the most reputable shops in the area. They guy who sold it to me and did the fitting is not only a great triathlete in the area, but also coaches triathletes and has a doctoral degree in exercise science. He's tweaked my fit and saddle quite a few times as different issues have come up. I've had a few other experts say my position looked okay. I honestly think that I'm just not good at cycling! Attitude is everything |
| 2009-06-24 10:30 AM in reply to: #2239496 |
Master 2167  Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling JorgeM - 2009-06-24 10:27 AM In order to excel/improve at something you have to 1) do it lots and 2) in order to do #1 you have to enjoy it in some way whether because it brings you joy, you embrace the challenge, you enjoy the pain, etc. It doesn't seem to me you want/can do either so my question is; why would you do someting you don't enjoy and certainly don't embrance as a challenge? You seem to enjoy a lot more other things that brings happiness into your life; why not focus on those? Like I said a few posts up, there is no sense of satisfaction like that which comes from completing something that is extremely difficult. I do it not because I like it, but because I like how empowered I feel having done something hard that will never come easy for me that I didn't really want to do, but darn it, I did it anyway!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 2009-06-24 10:33 AM in reply to: #2239509 |
Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 10:30 AM you did it, cool. Now why don't you just move forward onto other things/challenges or focus on those that you enjoy the most? Don't tell as good as you might be doing rock climbing there aren't ways to challenge yourself and get the same level of satisfaction? Same goes with spinning, weight lifting, etc.JorgeM - 2009-06-24 10:27 AM In order to excel/improve at something you have to 1) do it lots and 2) in order to do #1 you have to enjoy it in some way whether because it brings you joy, you embrace the challenge, you enjoy the pain, etc. It doesn't seem to me you want/can do either so my question is; why would you do someting you don't enjoy and certainly don't embrance as a challenge? You seem to enjoy a lot more other things that brings happiness into your life; why not focus on those? Like I said a few posts up, there is no sense of satisfaction like that which comes from completing something that is extremely difficult. I do it not because I like it, but because I like how empowered I feel having done something hard that will never come easy for me that I didn't really want to do, but darn it, I did it anyway!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 2009-06-24 10:38 AM in reply to: #2239092 |
Champion 10157 Alabama | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling I think a triathlete who hates biking is like a golfer who hates putting. Life is short....don't do stuff you don't enjoy.
~Mike |
| 2009-06-24 10:39 AM in reply to: #2239374 |
Expert 1170 Southern Pines, NC | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 10:57 AM Fair enough, though you certainly use lack of improvement as a major component of your "hate." Cyclings like almost everything else, if you want to get better at it, do more of it. That's part of the problem. When I swim or run (or rock climb, or anything else for that matter) for 2-3 hours a week I see improvements and feel more & more comfortable with the sport. For some reason, this just plain does not carry over to biking. I feel like I'm just stuck in neutral. I amped up the volume for the HIM, saw vast swim/run improvements, still stuck in neutral with biking. Sounds like you need to squeeze more out of your riding time and do some more LT intervals and stuff like that. |
| 2009-06-24 10:41 AM in reply to: #2239509 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 10:30 AM JorgeM - 2009-06-24 10:27 AM In order to excel/improve at something you have to 1) do it lots and 2) in order to do #1 you have to enjoy it in some way whether because it brings you joy, you embrace the challenge, you enjoy the pain, etc. It doesn't seem to me you want/can do either so my question is; why would you do someting you don't enjoy and certainly don't embrance as a challenge? You seem to enjoy a lot more other things that brings happiness into your life; why not focus on those? Like I said a few posts up, there is no sense of satisfaction like that which comes from completing something that is extremely difficult. I do it not because I like it, but because I like how empowered I feel having done something hard that will never come easy for me that I didn't really want to do, but darn it, I did it anyway!!!!!!!!!!! Wouldn't it be more of a challenge to actually devote sufficient time to this challenge to become good at it? I know I'm wailing on a deceased equine, but there's a contradiction in what you're saying. |
| 2009-06-24 10:47 AM in reply to: #2239092 |
Veteran 237 Eastern WA | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling there are excellent suggestions in this thread that will help you improve your biking and enjoyment and you dont seem to be interested/listening to them...so ill just go ahead and say it... HTFU |
| 2009-06-24 11:08 AM in reply to: #2239092 |
Master 1920 Ann Arbor, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling I think you can like it. I really do, because I know what you mean- I had a similar sentiment a few years back. I hated cycling for my first year of triathlons, for a variety of reasons. One was I had a bike that didn't fit. Fixing that problem was the biggest step- but then like you, I became stagnant, and was frustrated by the lack of improvement I was seeing on the bike. For a while, I did what you are doing- the same routes over and over again, hoping that some day, I will just be faster. That sort of works with running, you can just RUN faster, but it isn't the exact same with cycling. I decided to face my challenge, head-on, and become a better cyclist- or else I would most likely just give up on the sport! I got a coach who knows a ton about improving cycling without simply 'riding tons and tons' (Coach Jorge), and maximized the time I spent on my bike. By doing very specific workouts, I learned what it feels like to ride faster. Improvements don't just happen over night, but it takes a lot of effort and mental strength to get your legs to ride faster. Running made sense to me- if you want to run faster, just run faster, move quicker, turn over your legs more, make it hurt more- but cycling didn't work that way for me. Even during the first few months working with Jorge, I still didn't find it easy to just ride more, or just ride hard. I really needed that Heart rate monitor to show me that I wasn't actually pushing hard, hence I wasn't improving. And I also needed someone to prescribe for me EXACTLY what to do, so I would feel obligated to go harder, push faster....and what do you know?! I improved!! I went from being a MOP cyclist, averaging 18.5mph in my first HIM in 2006 (a very flat, fast course), to three years later- being 2nd in my age group on the bike in my last HIM 2 weeks ago, and averaging almost 23mph on a flat course last year. Now, go figure- I love cycling!! Some days, I actually prefer my bike to my running shoes, which I never, ever thought could happen. My bike miles aren't too crazy, compared to some folks, but the thing is, every workout has a purpose, and I make sure I keep that in mind, and really maximize the time I spend in the saddle. Anyways, sorry for the long story of my life, it's not really that interesting, BUT, I think you CAN improve in cycling, if you devote the energy to doing very specific workouts, and training with more intensity. It seems like if you start seeing improvements, you are the type of person to find that extremely gratifying, and will eventually like riding....but that's just my online assessment  Goodluck, and don't listen to your brain when it says you don't like riding- it's lying! |
| 2009-06-24 11:15 AM in reply to: #2239588 |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling JMINPNW - 2009-06-24 10:47 AM there are excellent suggestions in this thread that will help you improve your biking and enjoyment and you dont seem to be interested/listening to them...so ill just go ahead and say it... HTFU Did you miss the post where I said I appreciated the suggestions and would try some of them? I swear people read only half of a thread and then cast judgment. Boo. Again, this thread was first started to answer the question of why someone who dislikes riding would do tris. People seemed interested in the topic when I mentioned it in passing on another thread. I just want those of you who are passionate about riding to know that some of us will continue to persevere regardless of whether or not we're not passionate for the pure sake of PERSEVERANCE itself. I.E. It's just like people who hate exercise but hate being overweight more. They don't love the workout, they love how they feel after they're done. That's me with cycling. Again, I get a sense of satisfaction, obviously, from doing activities I enjoy; but I get a different and unique sense of satisfaction completing something that is not so easy for me. Anyway, I don't know what HTFU means. |
| 2009-06-24 11:27 AM in reply to: #2239673 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 11:15 AM Anyway, I don't know what HTFU means. Obviously.  Chopper explains it here, but only if you know what NSFW means! |
| 2009-06-24 11:27 AM in reply to: #2239673 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 11:15 AM JMINPNW - 2009-06-24 10:47 AM there are excellent suggestions in this thread that will help you improve your biking and enjoyment and you dont seem to be interested/listening to them...so ill just go ahead and say it... HTFU Did you miss the post where I said I appreciated the suggestions and would try some of them? I swear people read only half of a thread and then cast judgment. Boo. Again, this thread was first started to answer the question of why someone who dislikes riding would do tris. People seemed interested in the topic when I mentioned it in passing on another thread. I just want those of you who are passionate about riding to know that some of us will continue to persevere regardless of whether or not we're not passionate for the pure sake of PERSEVERANCE itself. I.E. It's just like people who hate exercise but hate being overweight more. They don't love the workout, they love how they feel after they're done. That's me with cycling. Again, I get a sense of satisfaction, obviously, from doing activities I enjoy; but I get a different and unique sense of satisfaction completing something that is not so easy for me. Anyway, I don't know what HTFU means. I totally understand where you are coming from. Cycling just isn't your thang, but dang if you are going to let it win. I have a love/hate relationship with running. Mostly hate. But I won't let it win. Heck no, that little running portion is NOT going to keep me from doing tri's. I'm just too stubborn to give up. No matter how pathetic I am when it comes to running. In fact, I have realized that I'm so pathetic... I had better just walk/run. So I do a walk/run combo... but can keep a solid 11 MM doing that. Anyways... I think cycling is more enjoyable and can be fun... if you find what makes it fun for you. For example, I use to ride with a tri club. Those were the most miserable cycling experiences I ever had. No really. It sucked. I got dropped. I got lost. It made me mentally beat myself up for being such a horrible triathlete. I finished each of those rides feeling like a complete loser. Now I ride with my cycling club. I have people I can ride with who are my speed. Sometimes on the slower rides we talk and chit-chat. Having someone to chit-chat with can make a miserable day 100x's better. Last Sat. I rode with a friend for 58 miles... and it was a miserable day... windy... 100 degrees... but us talking about nonsense made it a tolerable ride. I wasn't tramatized by it. Last year when I was training for my IM... my coach told me to NOT ride with my cycling club because we stopped too much and for too long. I didn't stop riding with them. Why? Because I knew going out on the bike for 50-75 miles, by myself, would have been a beat down. I figured I didn't want IM training to be completely miserable... so I was going to make sure my rides were enjoyable. And you know what? I did fine at my IM. I also realized that where I ride makes a difference too. Seeing the same scenery over and over again makes it really boring. So I make sure to go to local bike rallies and different group rides to keep things interesting. As for the head itching business... you will just have to suffer through some physical discomfort on that one. Edited by KSH 2009-06-24 11:28 AM |
| 2009-06-24 11:29 AM in reply to: #2239673 |
| 286 | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 11:15 AM JMINPNW - Anyway, I don't know what HTFU means. I think it's best you don't google it and find out, as I feel you may react harshly. I have nothing really to say here, except that I think this is a boring thread and I regret reading it. sorry. |
| 2009-06-24 11:32 AM in reply to: #2239092 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling It means "Harden the F--k Up." Blunt way of saying suck it up and get it done. But it really does sound like a mental issue on top of the lack of training one. You don't enjoy it, but you make yourself do it so that you can say "Yeah, I did it" so you have a bit of the HTFU already going on in that you are forcing yourself to do something. It should not BE a forced thing though. To me it sounds as if you dread every ride. And you are so terrified on the bike that you then cannot react or adapt to changing conditions. I would be willing to bet that if we had a force meter on your handle bars that the numbers would reflect "white-knuckled-death-grip" on every ride. That is a prime cause of poor bike handling skill and twitchy riding. If you cannot relax on the bike, you will never be able to enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it. You also are trying to do too much in my opinion. It is much better approach to enjoy and be good at a few things than disliking and being mediocre at a bunch just to say "Yeah, I do that." |
| 2009-06-24 11:43 AM in reply to: #2239092 |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling LOL...HTFU....please, come take one of my hardcore classes if you're ever in Michigan. You'll see! Let's just say that of the three ironman triathletes I know that came to my class, zero made it through the entire class without stopping or leaving. To the rest of you, thank you sincerely for the feedback here. It has given me something to think about. Yes, I know that attitude is a large part of it and I'm working on it. I guess I have some small hope that things will change and one day my enjoyment for riding will just "click" regardless of whether or not I can ever race higher than 20 MPH. |
| 2009-06-24 11:45 AM in reply to: #2239712 |
| Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling jdevito20 - 2009-06-24 11:29 AM I have nothing really to say here, except that I think this is a boring thread and I regret reading it. Click out and move on? Why post something like that when there is a real discussion going on here. |
| 2009-06-24 11:47 AM in reply to: #2239751 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 11:43 AM LOL...HTFU....please, come take one of my hardcore classes if you're ever in Michigan. You'll see! Let's just say that of the three ironman triathletes I know that came to my class, zero made it through the entire class without stopping or leaving. To the rest of you, thank you sincerely for the feedback here. It has given me something to think about. Yes, I know that attitude is a large part of it and I'm working on it. I guess I have some small hope that things will change and one day my enjoyment for riding will just "click" regardless of whether or not I can ever race higher than 20 MPH. So you have a 20 mph average in races? The race results show that? Uh, you are doing fine. Anyways I'm of the mind set that you don't have to LOVE swim/bike/run... if you don't care for one of the three... then so be it. |
| 2009-06-24 11:53 AM in reply to: #2239092 |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling No, no, no...my average race speed is around 18.5 for 25 a miler and was about 17.5 for the one HIM I did. I was just using 20 as a gauge for what I would think is somewhat "fast" for a female. And you're right KSH, I guess we could say I do tris because I do enjoy running & swimming and we don't have aquathons around here! |
| 2009-06-24 11:55 AM in reply to: #2239374 |
Master 1420 Victoria, BC | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling This is something I've been struggling with too - someone asked me just the other day "if you don't like cycling, why do you do triathlons?" ... my answer "because I like triathlons" ... I know that doesn't make sense - I KNOW that doesn't make sense - but I can't explain it any other way. I'm with the OP - I really love a good spin class or a good workout on the trainer - but put me outside and I'm not happy. I've been trying to figure it out for years. I love the IDEA of going out hard on the bike - ahhh it's just something I gotta work on.  |
| 2009-06-24 12:03 PM in reply to: #2239346 |
Expert 966 Decatur | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling the bear - 2009-06-24 10:49 AM noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 9:45 AM the bear - 2009-06-24 9:40 AM It's not a complaint, just a statement. I said I don't like riding, someone asked me why, I answered. People seem to be surprised by and curious about it, hence the thread.noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 9:35 AM As for increasing my volume, it's not going to happen. Aside from biking, running & swimming, I personal train, teach group fitness classes, rock climb and ADORE weight training. When I switched from my normal routine of about 4-5 hours per week of tri training (which has always made me feel prepared for olys) over to HIM training which was more than double that, I was MISERABLE. I do workout about 12 hours/week, but I prefer to keep a balance among all the activities I mentioned. I also NEVER get injured that way (knocks on wood). Then don't complain that you never improve. Fair enough, though you certainly use lack of improvement and ability (balance) as major components of your "hate." Cyclings like almost everything else, if you want to get better at it, do more of it. If you don't want to devote sufficient time to get proficient, then find another hobby. x2. you said yourself you didn't want to devote more time without seeing gains. And everyone here has said that you have to put in the time before you will see the gains. (as well as practice bike handling skills) before you say i don't know what you are talking about, i do. I prefer not to run. it hurts, makes me sad and people leave me in the dust. BUT, i do it. I put in the time and just do it. I'm still getting left, but I AM feeling better about it and slowly getting a tiny itty bitty bit of confidence about it. but until i'm even solidly in the BOP. I just suck it up and do it. Even roped my friends into meeting me (yes they leave me but they also wait at the end of our trail for me at the end of our runs). suckered my mother in too. |
| 2009-06-24 12:05 PM in reply to: #2239751 |
Master 1920 Ann Arbor, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 12:43 PM LOL...HTFU....please, come take one of my hardcore classes if you're ever in Michigan. You'll see! Let's just say that of the three ironman triathletes I know that came to my class, zero made it through the entire class without stopping or leaving. To the rest of you, thank you sincerely for the feedback here. It has given me something to think about. Yes, I know that attitude is a large part of it and I'm working on it. I guess I have some small hope that things will change and one day my enjoyment for riding will just "click" regardless of whether or not I can ever race higher than 20 MPH. Where in MI are you? |
| 2009-06-24 12:09 PM in reply to: #2239799 |
| Member 44 | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling SpiritFire - 2009-06-24 12:55 PM This is something I've been struggling with too - someone asked me just the other day "if you don't like cycling, why do you do triathlons?" ... my answer "because I like triathlons" ... I know that doesn't make sense - I KNOW that doesn't make sense - but I can't explain it any other way. I'm with the OP - I really love a good spin class or a good workout on the trainer - but put me outside and I'm not happy. I've been trying to figure it out for years. I love the IDEA of going out hard on the bike - ahhh it's just something I gotta work on. Yes! I am the same way too. I initially started training for tris because I was already a runner, loved swimming, and loved my spinning class. So of course I go out and buy a new, mid-priced road bike - and HATED it! I liked racing with it...just not going out and training by myself. One thing that really helped me was joining a cycling club. I had/have a lot of anxiety about clipping in and also riding in traffic. I feel so much safer in a group and have already made cycling friends...which turns into getting lots of free advice on how to become a better cyclist. It's definitely changed my attitude toward my bike. Now we're best friends |
| 2009-06-24 12:09 PM in reply to: #2239799 |
| Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling SpiritFire - 2009-06-24 12:55 PM This is something I've been struggling with too - someone asked me just the other day "if you don't like cycling, why do you do triathlons?" ... my answer "because I like triathlons" ... I know that doesn't make sense - I KNOW that doesn't make sense - but I can't explain it any other way. I'm with the OP - I really love a good spin class or a good workout on the trainer - but put me outside and I'm not happy. I've been trying to figure it out for years. I love the IDEA of going out hard on the bike - ahhh it's just something I gotta work on. I agree with you. I've grown to dislike cycling in most situations. If the entire world was car-less, straight stretches of open road with very few actual hills, I'd be a happy, happy girl. But the more I rode, the more I started to dread it. And the more I've ridden big scary downhills, the more they scare me (so the "ride more hills to get comfortable" thing doesn't help). I've had my bike professionally fit, I've had 3 shops confirm that I'm on the right size bike. But I can't ride with no hands - I've never been able to do that, even as a kid. I can't take my left hand off the bike. I can eat and drink, but only VERY tentatively and I have to slow way down and make sure I'm on a flat, straight section. The slightest incline slows me down way too much, and I absolutely hate downhill. I can't corner or turn very fast or tight. In generally, I don't ever feel certain that I have great control over the bike. I know all the tricks and tips that people use to do this stuff. But I just can't do them. I LIKE triathlon as a sport - I have the DVR set to tape triathlon on Universal Sports and I watch it while riding on the trainer, and it fires me up. I can't explain it. I love the swim, I love the run, and I like the sport in general. Which is why I'm at odds with quitting myself. I feel like triathlon is a sport where weakness isn't acceptable, beyond the basic "you're a beginner, so yeah, you suck now, but train more and you'll get STRONG!". And quitting is a weakness. Even though everyone says to these posts "oh, just quit, we won't judge, if you don't like it, don't do it", everyone's sig block says "Quitting is not an option" or "If you quit, no one else will know, but YOU will" and various other iterations of the "quitting is for losers" mantra. So do you understand how that might come across as problematic? And if your FRIENDS are those people, the ones telling you to quit but at the same time basically casting an eye down on quitting, how would you feel? Anyway, I hate the bike too. I'm going to get through the rest of the season (I'm only officially registered for one more race and it's an easy bike course that I can actually go fast on) and maybe take some time off from the bike, aside from riding it on the trainer just for a good workout (cuz it's still a decent workout, regardless). And then see how I feel next season. |
| 2009-06-24 12:37 PM in reply to: #2239792 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 11:53 AM No, no, no...my average race speed is around 18.5 for 25 a miler and was about 17.5 for the one HIM I did. I was just using 20 as a gauge for what I would think is somewhat "fast" for a female. And you're right KSH, I guess we could say I do tris because I do enjoy running & swimming and we don't have aquathons around here! Those are both really respectable averages. I have been riding for 5 years, and I don't hate cycling... and I'm that speed. |
| 2009-06-24 1:07 PM in reply to: #2239839 |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling jazz82482 - 2009-06-24 12:05 PM noelle1230 - 2009-06-24 12:43 PM LOL...HTFU....please, come take one of my hardcore classes if you're ever in Michigan. You'll see! Let's just say that of the three ironman triathletes I know that came to my class, zero made it through the entire class without stopping or leaving. Where in MI are you? To the rest of you, thank you sincerely for the feedback here. It has given me something to think about. Yes, I know that attitude is a large part of it and I'm working on it. I guess I have some small hope that things will change and one day my enjoyment for riding will just "click" regardless of whether or not I can ever race higher than 20 MPH. Hey Jazz, I'm at Lifetime Fitness in Troy. A little out of your way, but if you're ever in the O.C., come see me!! I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one out there who ISN'T feeling the passion running though my veins at every training session and race.  |
| 2009-06-24 1:18 PM in reply to: #2239092 |
| 4 | Subject: RE: Why I hate cycling I'll venture a guess that you didn't do a lot of cycling prior to getting into tris, yes? I suspect this is the case because you seem to view cycling as a hurdle to overcome rather than something that can be enjoyable in its own right. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, and your devotion so far is admirable, but I'd submit that substantial additional improvement is going to be difficult given your strong aversion to the activity. Essentially, you've made "cycling" a metaphor for "work," and as we all know, work isn't fun. |
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