Why I Stopped Riding Bikes

Summary

This video script reflects on the speaker's evolving relationship with cycling, from a passionate obsession during their professional career to a more distant connection after retirement. The speaker explores the reasons behind falling out of love with the sport, discussing how their focus on performance and goals led to burnout. Through conversations with fellow ex-professionals, the script delves into different perspectives on cycling post-career, revealing varied levels of ongoing passion and engagement. The speaker plans to reconnect with cycling through an ambitious charity ride, documenting the journey and reflecting on whether they can rekindle their love for the sport.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on falling out of love with cycling after transitioning from a professional career, having been deeply obsessed with performance and improvement during their racing days.
• 😀 A key factor in the speaker's relationship with cycling was the process of getting better, using training, data, and goals to track progress.
• 😀 The speaker's passion for cycling was fueled by the obsession with performance numbers, like heart rate, power, and training metrics, rather than enjoying the sport for its social aspects or natural beauty.
• 😀 Post-career, the speaker lost interest in cycling because they were no longer able to compete at the same level, and they realized they had been motivated by performance, not enjoyment.
• 😀 A fellow ex-professional cyclist, Sai, discusses how he continues to love cycling because of the process of riding and the physical exercise it provides, whether on the road or off-road.
• 😀 Sai enjoys a variety of cycling, including road riding, gravel, and mountain biking, and finds that riding different types of bikes helps keep his passion for cycling alive.
• 😀 Sai also enjoys the mental and physical benefits of riding, such as improving his mood and staying fit, even if he no longer aims to be the best cyclist he once was.
• 😀 Some former professionals, like the speaker, have lost motivation for cycling after retirement, while others maintain a deep connection to the sport and continue to ride regularly for enjoyment.
• 😀 A retired cyclist, Toft, reveals that while he still enjoys riding, he finds it harder to stay motivated and prefers other forms of exercise like running.
• 😀 The speaker introduces the idea that many ex-professional cyclists struggle to keep up their former fitness levels, leading to frustration and self-realization about the loss of former abilities, especially on familiar routes and climbs.
• 😀 Despite no longer racing, the speaker plans to ride from London to Manchester in June, aiming to rekindle his love for cycling and document the journey of getting back on the bike after years of detachment.
• 😀 The speaker invites viewers to share their own experiences with cycling, highlighting the impact cycling has had on many people's lives and the challenges of maintaining a relationship with the sport over time.

Q & A

Why did the speaker fall out of love with cycling after their professional career?

The speaker fell out of love with cycling because they were deeply invested in performance and training. Once they realized they couldn't be the best anymore, they lost their passion for the sport. They had been focused on hitting targets and improving numbers, not enjoying the social or scenic aspects of cycling.

What was the speaker's approach to training when they were a professional cyclist?

The speaker was highly obsessive about improving, devouring training books and magazines, getting a coach, and tracking their progress meticulously with heart rate monitors and training diaries. They were one of the first to use advanced training algorithms like normalized power and training stress scores.

What did the speaker enjoy most about cycling during their professional career?

The speaker enjoyed the process of getting better, focusing on training, hitting performance targets, and seeing tangible results. It was the pursuit of improvement, not necessarily the joy of riding itself, that they loved.

How did the speaker's perspective on cycling change after retirement?

After retirement, the speaker struggled with finding enjoyment in cycling without the drive to improve or compete. They focused more on other activities like running, and challenges like fitness programs, because they were goal-oriented, much like cycling had been.

Why does the guest, S Richardson, still love cycling after retiring from professional racing?

S Richardson still loves cycling because they enjoy the process of riding, whether it’s riding with friends, doing specific training-related activities, or enjoying off-road cycling in the woods. They also appreciate the physical exercise and the improvement in mood it brings.

What keeps S Richardson motivated to cycle, even when conditions are unfavorable?

S Richardson stays motivated by knowing that they will feel better after the ride, and by the variety of cycling experiences they can enjoy, like road, gravel, and mountain biking. They also find joy in more specific training sessions and enjoy the physical challenge.

How does S Richardson cope with bad weather or difficult riding conditions?

When the weather is bad, S Richardson will sometimes ride indoors on Zwift, which offers structured training sessions they enjoy. They also appreciate the flexibility of switching to different types of cycling based on weather conditions.

What is the opinion on former professional cyclists who stop riding altogether after their careers?

The speaker views it as sad when former professionals stop cycling altogether, especially when they neglect their physical health. However, they acknowledge that everyone is different, and some riders may choose to move on to other pursuits.

What are the challenges of staying motivated to ride after retiring from professional cycling?

One of the main challenges is dealing with the realization that they are no longer as strong or fast as they once were. The physical decline can be frustrating, especially when riding with others who expect them to still perform at a high level.

What does the speaker plan to do to rekindle their love for cycling in the future?

The speaker plans to ride from London to Manchester in a single day as a personal challenge, with a goal to guide their training. They’ll document the experience to reflect on how it feels to get back into cycling after a long break, and whether they can rediscover their passion for the sport.