I always get pumped for trips but after weeks or days, depending on length of trip. However as the trip goes on i get myslef into point where im like ok ive seen enough and i just want to paddle as fast and as directly as possible to airport. Is it just energy/adrenalin crash? Will one day extra in camp help me?
Have you encountered it and how do you handle it?
by WhoDFnose
20 Comments
These are the signals you should be listening to. If you don’t feel like continuing the trip, then stop and take a break for a day or two. If you still don’t feel like continuing, then do something else or pack up and go home. IMO there is no point in continuing unless you are enjoying yourself.
Honestly, I’ve never experienced it. But throughout my life, being on the road has often been more comfortable for me than being in a home. But what’s drawing you to the airport? Is it home? What do you miss at home if it’s? Is it some comfort? Potentially a night in a hotel, or a nice dinner might help.
Less pedaling, more ice cream, or whatever your favorite carb is how I usually take those days. Not feeling the urge to ride emotionally is very connected to how my body feels physically
I ask myself, do you guys cycle every day? Do you do other stuff like hanging out in a city or lazying it up in a field under a tree?
I usually set up camp and do something else. Maybe take a city break or whatever.
It is very rare for me, though, as I enjoy just being on the bike and I enjoy being alone.
But if it is really bad and the weather is just too rough with no let up, I would simply stop or in extremis; go home. I don’t see the point in just continuing for the sake of it
You also have to keep in mind, thst bicycle touring (or anything, really) isn’t for everyone.
As an example, I don’t like to go to sporting events or look at people playing sports so I just don’t.
I don’t like living out of a camper van (or similar) either, so I ride my bike instead.
Nothing wrong with either. People are just different.
Take a proper rest day or two actually. Can make the world of difference. Eat as much as you can in those days. If you can in a do it in a campsite / hostel/ hotel/ warm shower host.
I’ve been there before what you’re describing and I booked myself on the next boat home. Once I’d rested and recuperated i realised I that was all I needed. Don’t make the same mistake I made. This was about 13 years ago and I’ve not made the same mistake twice.
This is a mental ‘ditch’ I fall into every long tour.
I’ve learned that if I stick it out, it goes away, & my motivation and interest come back. Sometimes this goes a bit quicker if I treat myself to a little luxury like a hotel & restaurant meal, or stay in one place for a couple of days and go for a hike, or something instead of cycling.
One foot in front of the other…
Never had the feeling going with a group I liked. Frequently had this feeling going solo. once the novelty wears off, the adventure becomes a long commute.
If I’m near a city then it’s two days of binge drinking and chain smoking. A motivation crash way out in the country somewhere is absolutely brutal tho
It’s part of it. I think everyone who tours has felt this. It’s long, it’s difficult, it’s lonely. Sometimes you can just power through it, but if it’s really eating at me, I take a break or hop on a train for the next 50 miles just to give myself a mental break from moving so slowly. Weirdly, even though social media in general is bad for mental health, I find it helpful in these moments. I’ll do a Q&A with followers or a live talk about the mental struggles. Basically anything that brings other people into the adventure. It makes those tough moments feel bearable.
Just think how it will look on Strava 😀
Where is this picture?
Once I’ve reached my destination I kept riding for another week because I had plenty of time. This is when I had “lack of motivation “ . For some reason I couldn’t enjoy the ride, just for the ride.
If/when that happens im boking 2 nights hotel in a city.
Second all the folks recommending a couple of days of rest.
In my case, having earphones for listening to music and podcasts also helps a lot to put my head out of the “fuck I am tired why I am doing this kill me please how long until the next stop” loop 🥲
Hotel rest day with pizza & beverages, but if I want to go home, I do
Sometimes its far and hard to actually get home..
That’s when I stop riding. In fact, I start a ride next week and I just now decided to not ride as far cuz I don’t feel motivated.
Plan an interesting day off the bike in advance. Then you have something (and regeneration) to look forward to when the low hits.
If you have time stop and ‘work’ at a hostel or bar, or teach a language or learn a language. I traveled for 18 months but spent 3 weeks in on place, 4 in another and 3 months in a third. You got to stop sometimes and relax. Traveling and moving daily is arduous. Remember, it’s supposed to be fun. And traveling slowly is almost always cheaper!!