NixM Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 I have done about 15 Argus cycle tours, started when I was 12 years old. I have always taken them seriously / trained hard to get PB, making sure I got the best results amoungst friends and family. But over the last few years I have just lost motivation to train. This year has been the worst, I have done 3 PPA races since the Burger last year, I have not been on my road bike any other time. Nor have I been on the spinning bike, my usual midweek exercise. I do still get on the mountainbike every weekend but this is for my soul, i love it, but does not do much for my training. So know I am faced with the Argus in 2 weeks time with no preparation. Best I have ever managed was 3:20 and usually do around 3:40. I have the very real possibility of doing a 4 hour plus ride for the first time since I was 14 years old. This is not something my ego can handle. Should I cut my losses and just not ride or get over my ego and ride even though my time is going to humiliating ( by my standards)?
BarHugger Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 I have done about 15 Argus cycle tours, started when I was 12 years old. I have always taken them seriously / trained hard to get PB, making sure I got the best results amoungst friends and family. But over the last few years I have just lost motivation to train. This year has been the worst, I have done 3 PPA races since the Burger last year, I have not been on my road bike any other time. Nor have I been on the spinning bike, my usual midweek exercise. I do still get on the mountainbike every weekend but this is for my soul, i love it, but does not do much for my training. So know I am faced with the Argus in 2 weeks time with no preparation. Best I have ever managed was 3:20 and usually do around 3:40. I have the very real possibility of doing a 4 hour plus ride for the first time since I was 14 years old. This is not something my ego can handle. Should I cut my losses and just not ride or get over my ego and ride even though my time is going to humiliating ( by my standards)?Ride.....not doing it is even worse.......almost like complete submission. You need the black box of tricks.........when you get to the venue, open it and pack the ego away. Go and ride with no expectation.......start slow and take in the vibe........you might even find that it will be one of your most enjoyable rides. Just RIDE!
DJR Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Before I got into the rut you are talking about, I was lucky enough to ride from the back with my father, and then with my boys, first on a tandem and then on their own bikes. Starting with the tail end groups opened my eyes to a whole new Argus. It was so much fun when the clock was simply ignored, because I engaged with the spectators, chatted to fellow riders, stopped for sandwiches, encouraged ones that were suffering, helped fix punctures, even pushed broken youngsters up the hill. The Hub pro on social & champagne riding is Slowbee! Do whatever he recommends!
Prince Albert Cycles Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Been there myself ....ride....with your mtb .....good enough excuse for a slower time and saves the ego
milky4130 Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Cycle tour aside, I find entering races in advance gives me the motivation to train & race. Once you've entered you are basically committed, bail out & you lose your money. Good luck.
BMXER Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Same here, done all the races on the local calendar may times over. Road and mtb, 13 shovas (mostly sub 3) and 11 karkloofs. But this year I simply cannot motivate myself to ride.
Mads Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 A fellow rider is taking his MTB and is planning to ride slow enjoying the scenery and the vibe. The way he describes it sounds like so much fun. On my first Argus there were two guys doing that. While I was slotching along at the pace of trying to make cut off. These two passed me several times And I have seen them hanging around the bands... drinking a beer at a pub.... chatting to the locals.....taking pictures of everyone - including themselves. O and both was dressed in a black suit and tie. If ever I ride the Argus again. I will do it that way. Having fun en not chasing some pie in the sky time. I imagine this rider is planning it to be that much fun.
Messier87 Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 DJR has a point. Look up that friend that rides it slowly and go have fun with them. Make a breakfast out of it. Chances are it will be the one Argus you will never forget!
NixM Posted February 21, 2015 Author Posted February 21, 2015 Thanks guys, theHub has spoken, 2 weeks to change my attitude and enjoy this thing. I half thought about doing it on my ss but don't think my dodgy knee will enjoy that. Why does this rut happen? Have I just done too many / old age / different interests? Sports psychology is strange.
BarHugger Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Thanks guys, theHub has spoken, 2 weeks to change my attitude and enjoy this thing. I half thought about doing it on my ss but don't think my dodgy knee will enjoy that. Why does this rut happen? Have I just done too many / old age / different interests? Sports psychology is strange.Its all in the hormones.........a little bit of neurotransmitter chemistry............and a lot of heart!
NixM Posted February 21, 2015 Author Posted February 21, 2015 Its all in the hormones.........a little bit of neurotransmitter chemistry............and a lot of heart!If only growth hormone wasn't so damn expensive I wouldn't be in this rut!
Mntboy Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 I have done about 15 Argus cycle tours, started when I was 12 years old. I have always taken them seriously / trained hard to get PB, making sure I got the best results amoungst friends and family. But over the last few years I have just lost motivation to train. This year has been the worst, I have done 3 PPA races since the Burger last year, I have not been on my road bike any other time. Nor have I been on the spinning bike, my usual midweek exercise. I do still get on the mountainbike every weekend but this is for my soul, i love it, but does not do much for my training. So know I am faced with the Argus in 2 weeks time with no preparation. Best I have ever managed was 3:20 and usually do around 3:40. I have the very real possibility of doing a 4 hour plus ride for the first time since I was 14 years old. This is not something my ego can handle. Should I cut my losses and just not ride or get over my ego and ride even though my time is going to humiliating ( by my standards)?I find myself in a similar situation in some respects but not entirely. Will also being doing the Argus with sweet blow all training for the exception of what I can fit in over the next two weeks. Going to treat it very much as a goof off ride and not worry over time. Just don't have the legs but I can have good humour about it. Good luck Nix in finding a way to get a strategy that'll make this Argus fun and bearable by your standards.
Tubehunter Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 As already mentioned the best thing to do, is find a way to take your focus off chasing a time! Perhaps anyone in your family who is attempting it for the very first time, who's goal is simply to complete it? Drop back and ride the race with them. (If not, find someone from your friendship circles that is a first time rider!). They will soak up ALL the helpful tips and hints you will share with them on route and you will discover 3 things. 1. It's amazing how savvy you get, at how to get through this event when you have as many as you do behind you! Seeing this stark reality in contrast to a new rider flying blind is quite an eye opener that allows you to value the collective experience you have invested!2. Watching the naïve joy and despair and all the range of emotions that make up the head space aspect of riding a bike in any form of race through the eyes of a new rider is really invigorating as a catalyst for tapping into some similar feelings vicariously yourself!3. It is really incredible to be a part of someone else's first ever experience of this event, knowing that you are making it one of the most memorable experiences they will ever live!
beachless Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Like the others and you yourself have said its just got a bit stale. You have done the same thing with similar results 15 times so when there is nothing new, nothing to get exited about where do you expect the motivation to come from.Since you are not fit enough to get a record time anyways I agree with the others change it up do something different. Get a costume do the slow slog with the crazy guys that dress up and ride all sorts of funny contraptions take in the experience just enjoy the outing and leave the watch and computers at home.
Mads Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 As already mentioned the best thing to do, is find a way to take your focus off chasing a time! Perhaps anyone in your family who is attempting it for the very first time, who's goal is simply to complete it? Drop back and ride the race with them. (If not, find someone from your friendship circles that is a first time rider!). They will soak up ALL the helpful tips and hints you will share with them on route and you will discover 3 things. 1. It's amazing how savvy you get, at how to get through this event when you have as many as you do behind you! Seeing this stark reality in contrast to a new rider flying blind is quite an eye opener that allows you to value the collective experience you have invested!2. Watching the naïve joy and despair and all the range of emotions that make up the head space aspect of riding a bike in any form of race through the eyes of a new rider is really invigorating as a catalyst for tapping into some similar feelings vicariously yourself!3. It is really incredible to be a part of someone else's first ever experience of this event, knowing that you are making it one of the most memorable experiences they will ever live!Tubehunter I am involved with the local club's beginners group and what you describe here is what I experience every Thursday. It just gives you a new and fresh perspective on cycling and your own abilities.
Tumbleweed Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Like others have said, ride, don't race. Let us hubbers pick, say, five waypoints along the route that you have to photograph to prove you stopped :-)
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