Velo Withdrawal

Earlier I posted about having to stay off the bike for a few weeks after a minor injury. It is now week 2 and I am climbing the walls. My mood, energy levels, and general sense of well being have plummeted after the velo-induced high of the past few months. I want to be on my favourite path, blissfully flying past the river and the meadows!

The addictive and stress-reducing qualities of cycling that many report are fairly typical reactions to aerobic exercise. Yet, I have never had this sort of response to any other form of physical activity. I hate jogging and going to the gym, and I get worn out by any sort of sport within minutes. This makes it especially difficult to explain how I am able to cycle for hours without getting tired.

It is not long now until I am able to cycle again. Still, this "withdrawal" is difficult to endure. How do you deal with having to take a break from cycling -- be it due to travel, weather conditions, health, or other obstacles?

Comments

  1. I want to be riding on that bike path right now! Since I do so little driving now, I feel so out-of-sorts when life gets in the way & I must take the car.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! I'd miss cycling there, too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. In the winter, we have been known to put a trainer up in the living room so we can ride a little. It helps but it's not the same as taking it to the streets.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maybe putting the trainer in front of a big screen showing footage shot from your bicycle the previous summer would do the trick!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A break is a good thing. What better way to appreciate what a treat being in the saddle really is?

    ReplyDelete
  6. That sounds about as appealing as a first-person movie/view of a full table at your favourite cafe!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Walking is a good alternative to bicycling for me anyway. Do your injuries prevent you from going on walks as well? I love walking and sometimes prefer it over taking my bicycle in some given circumstances. I walked a LOT before I started bicycling again!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Shelly -- The injury is a knee thing, but walking is fine. I've always walked a lot as well, and I do it now -- but I miss the feeling of flying!

    Doohickie -- you are right, I'm trying to keep that in mind!

    MDI -- Yeah, so imagine how it feels to look at all the enticing photos you take of our bicycles on the computer : )

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm with you. I too am forced from my bicycle due to non-cycle related injury. I grow more irritable with each passing day.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment