You've also turned bicycles into a job, which must have its own burdens. But I'll bet you perk up a bunch when you get to travel again and ride with Laura more.
You and Laura have been through a lot in the past year. That has to play a big part in one’s outlook when facing worry and stress. You are thoroughly committed to biking and bike advocacy. Of that, I have no doubt. As you pointed out at the end of your video, you really miss the routine of biking as you and Laura have done. Keep working toward that happy goal!
The “get organized the night before” tip is great. When you own multiple bikes (too many in most regards) maintaining them becomes a large chore and if not kept up. It is very demotivating when you stare at the stable and nothings ready or the bike you want is buried.
Well, riding for fitness purposes is important - we all should be exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Personally speaking, I prefer riding alone. It’s my time to myself away from the idiocy and stupidity that exists in today’s world. I enjoy the solitude, taking in the beauty of nature, and just peace-and-quiet. The sounds of the wind, drivetrain, and tires…along with sights and sounds of nature. I do think people could use more time alone for reflection and remembering to be grateful (especially us Americans). By and large, we Americans have it better here than millions do elsewhere in the world. Different strokes for different folks.
Touché. With the hiking trails being overrun, gravel biking has been my solace for peace and solitude. I hate worrying about keeping or slowing pace when with others. I enjoy the conversations and company sure, but nothing beats riding on your own terms.
Totally agree, riding just for the sake of riding when alone is hard to motivate myself to do. I like going places or doing it with people if I can. Same was true for running with me. After I graduated college and no longer had a team to run with I just couldn't motivate myself to go out and slam 8 miles a day by myself.
Call me Mr. Opposite. I prefer to ride alone, as no one has to change pace to suit another. I ride every other afternoon, pretty dang reliably, the exact same somewhat hilly ride every time. I just extend it a bit as I get into better condition, or back off when my 69-year-old body complains. Yes it IS work for me, necessary to keep in decent shape, and, more importantly, hold the depression in check (along with meds). Also I get exhilarated by acceleration and a little speed. Not sure why I don't get bored, or contrary, but I don't. Perhaps the striking scenic beauty of the ride helps.
great video. love hearing your point of view. at least from this view it sounds like you were pretty darn successful, I think you go to hard on yourself man. keep up the great work.
There is a saying it takes 3 weeks to form a habit and takes 3 days to break a habit. I'm shocked in your area you don't hit 1000ft every ride. I think a lot of things we start doing as a hobby/enjoyment end up feeling like a chore and we get burned out. Some times it's nice to step back a bit and take a few more days off.
Google Tilmann Waldthaler. A lifetime cyclist. When he speaks to an audience.... the first thing he says is: "Riding a bike is boring." All nerds are shocked. ;-) Nice landscapes you have over there. Here in north Germany it is all flat and... boring. I have to come to Oregon.... one day....
This sentiment makes me go 'Well, ya." Walking is boring, driving is boring, canoeing/kayaking is boring. Anything you do frequently eventually becomes boring with the occasional interesting highlight when the unexpected happens.
I'm not much for riding by myself either. We can't wait until you and Laura start riding rides again. We like your big trips but even your coffee drinking rides are fun!
Ride bikes in a way you enjoy, I know plenty of people who just enjoy pootling around at Partypace. I do like training (Validate Me Baby! etc...), but I also enjoy the simple pleasures of just riding around, it's all about finding where your enjoyment is on the day. Insert Generic Roadie Rage Comment here ! :)
I'm on day 3 of 1K ft daily elevation gain alternating between walking and cycling. I am lucky to be able to ride/walk from my door and hit 1K within 4.5 miles. I am doing it so I can keep up with others on the weekend rides/hikes. I usually call it a day after hitting my target elevation but plan on adding mileage afterwards once I have acclimated to it. I am able to ride 20-30 miles on a flat ride.
getting burnt out from things is normal. AND its ok. BUT making sure we get back to doing what we love is whats important,no matter the love,passion,hobby..make sure we keep enjoying life. good video dude.
One way to force yourself to bike everyday is to bike or ebike to work. It is a sure way to wake up in the early morning. Now imagine having a 750ft (250m) climb to get there at up to 8%. I have to confess I go by ebike but if that day I don't get to do any other exercise at least I stretched my legs and I kept some shape for the more gruelling weekend. As you said, biking for a purpose.
Nice job. Riding every day can be very challenging. Some days I have the best conversations with myself. Do what makes you feel the best. Stay strong and stay positive. Best wish's to you both, Al
Bikes! Bikes! Bikes! Everywhere I look. Everywhere I turn. In every nook and cranny. Ride to work. Show up to the party wet and sweaty. Ride home in the freezing cold. This vs that vs the other. Little invisible black plastic thingies everywhere. Hatred of cars. Car horns. Car doors. Locks. Helmets. Saddle theft. Saddle sores. How-to videos. Dampness…. Yes, I’m burned out too!
Biking for a purpose...agreed! Anthropologically speaking, when not hunting or gathering humans sit, not to waste precious calories. We're pretty hard-wired to avoid exercise for its own sake. Nice sponsorship slot! Relevant, nice tone and short. One of the best I've seen...almost subliminal! Now, how to get to the US ...🤔
1000ft? Hmmm that's going up that hill 3 times a day. I wonder if I could do that. I feel like if I do it slowly everyday there wouldn't be a problem but the journey to that hill is a problem , that road has heavy traffic. Yeah no, I do not have the will power for that , it's 30 min to reach there . I guess this is why you're a cyclist and I never will be . I prefer riding alone, I don't have to wait for anyone, nobody has to wait for me. Other people tend to take long breaks , I don't like wasting time, once my butt stops hurting, I'm ready to go. Then there are those who can't pace themselves for some reason, they go really fast at the start and I'm barely keeping up , then 50km in they've slowed down to an abysmal pace and I keep having to wait for them . Riding for riding sake is probably the best description of why I ride, it's not even fitness, I'm just riding to ride.
If you *have* to get over your burnout this way, then habit hacking may be the best, possibly even the only way to do it. But burnout exists for a reason. Human beings are wired to be lazy. We're also wired to be incredibly hard workers. We seek out challenges, like climbing thousands of feet, and we avoid those challenges. It's a natural cycle of seeking stress and rest, and the training effect is the adaption to the stimulus of stress that occurs during rest. Burnout happens when the cycle is too tilted towards stress. Eu-stressors, like riding your bike, become plain old stressors. Doing something challenging on your bike every day without a rest seems like about the worst thing you could possibly do, although the novelty of the experiment may help. If it were me, I'd find a workout to do on *alternate* days -- maybe in the gym, maybe something like a soccer or volyball game. Then on my rest days do some un-challenging, pure fun thing on a bike -- maybe even on an e-bike.
Video idea... Can you change a top pull front mech bike frame to a bottom pull? I am converting an old MTB frame to a gravel bike, and having a hard time finding a front mech to work with my setup. I have seen others looking for a solution. Cheers, and love the content!
That’s why I got a gym membership. I hated that I was riding my hike mainly for a workout, instead of out of joy. So my excitement of cycling has come back
Normally I would just let it pass, but to all of those that clicked the dislike button, how about finding somewhere else to watch? Most of us here are looking for positivity, something the world desperately needs. If you don't like something, why not just leave quietly. We won't mind. Russ is sharing his life with us. Appreciate his candor, it's rare these days.
Man riding everyday is a lot, i try and limit myself to 4-5x week max. This includes 1-2 hrs mtb rides. Everyone is different and I’m older than you but i feel fresher this way. You need to start riding mtb also, you have some great trails out there 🤘🤘
I feel like you just described the past three months for me. I had to stop doing my RUclips videos because the passion I once had for cycling is gone. The stress of my job combined with the stress of creating RUclips videos and the stress of maintaining my fitness on the bike it all led to a slow burnout. Then on top of that the pandemic, it just killed any passion I had left. Giving up RUclips definitely helped rekindle my passion for cycling. It is weird not filming my rides anymore but it freed up my mind and I remembered why I fell in love with cycling in the first place. I had similar goals myself for get myself back into the habit of riding. I never really stopped riding because this is my primary means of transportation but I have gotten out of practice. Like you, the weather was definitely frustrating me, constantly raining. And, I had to deal with a new problem, depression. My depression usually goes through seasons. I wait them out and eventually they go away. But, with the pandemic disrupting my routine, the depression has become more frequent. It is refreshing to hear someone else going through something similar. I am glad you shared this.
I don't want to criticise you but to make an observation. I think its a blessing you have the freedom to choose and the freedom to choose cycling. Most people don't have a choice and most of the most could not choose cycling. I think it's fantastic what you have achieved in your life regarding making your passion your job then being able to tackle the challenges you find with your work routine with the same sport. It's also great that you were able to reflect on it with a ''kind to yourself'' mindset and you were able to use this as a constructive experience. Fantastic.
Any time you turn a hobby or passion into a job it changes the dynamics of how you view it. I have had a few hobbies that became jobs and to be honest I don't really participate in those hobbies anymore because of it. With cycling though I find if I film on specific days then the ride is simply to get footage. Any other time I ride I am out to have fun or travel somewhere but that is solely my time to do what I want with no pressure or work associated with it. Burnout happens when you lose the fun factor of what you are doing. One thing you did gain from this experiment is that you got back into riding condition quickly.
I also hate riding for fitness. That's why I mountain bike and don't track my rides. On the trail it's more about developing skills and the adrenaline for me.
IMO 1000 vertical feet per isn’t tiny. I read the same book and set a goal of riding 10 minutes per day since the purpose wasn’t to get fit but rather to form a habit. Funny thing is that I almost always rode way longer than that and felt amazing when I got home and beat my goal. Making the goal tiny really takes the pressure off and makes my rides more enjoyable.
Not going to lie. Just hearing you talk about forcing yourself to ride doesn’t sounds like fun. And you already said it takes away from other hobbies. Why did you ride to fish, paint or for a new view from a trail?
Definitely riding every single day is not healthy, rest is important. The only exception I feel is commuting. When you just have to be somewhere everyday and you have a pretty easy route i feel like the mental and physical weight is pretty low.
Great video. Also I think the first sponsor ad that I've watched instead of skipping over. I guess the message to content producers is to have an advertisement/sponsor pertinent to your content and people will watch it.
No offense Russ, but for those of us who live in concrete jungles in the Northeast, it's hard to see how one could get burned out biking in such a lovely place as Montana :)
Wait, how do you find a ride of less than 1000 feet? Lol here on the southeast of Pennsylvania I can't find a ride of less than 1300 feet, that is a Stava "flat" ride here
I agree riding alone is kinda boring if the goal is just for fitness. I only ride alone for the sake of exploring an area be it in the countryside or in the city. Either using my classic mtb turned gravel bike or my fixed gear. Solo partypace is still a thing
Great stuff as always Russ. I ride pretty much every day and yeah, it can be a challenge. Like you, I always feel best when I have a purpose, a destination or an adventure to chase. Unlike you, I prefer riding solo. What keeps me going on my daily rides is a combination of two things; goals and bike variation. My daily rides are all about keeping my fitness levels good enough to cope with big adventure rides that I do a few times a year. Thinking of those big rides spurs me on during the more mundane dailies. Also, I have four bikes. They’re not fancy or expensive bikes but they are good bikes and each is very different from the other in some key ways. After a week or two on one bike I switch to another one and it always feels fresh and more interesting. I find this ‘bike variety’ keeps me going. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s a great excuse to own a small fleet of bikes!
Sounds like a successful experiment. I've found a few things that help me with bike burnout... 1. Have a variety of bikes so I can go on different kinds of rides (gravel vs fat vs mtb). 2. Don't always plan the ride out, just leave from the house and go wherever I feel like as I hit forks in the road/trail. 3. Change up my bike set up (i.e. different wheels, singlespeed vs geared) or go to a new area so it's a new experience. 4. Remember that bikes aren't everything and take a break because that's totally okay.
This is encouraging I've become a total sloth during the pandy (maybe two or three rides this past winter) to the point that it has affected my health. I found walking/hiking easier to somewhat maintain and thankfully live in a hilly area. Commuting has always been a major thrust of my riding too so I am hoping things continue to return to somewhat normal again. Always appreciate your honesty. ✌💛
You can still commute to work when you work from home. Just get a short 30 min ride in between bed and desk. Really helps with mood, morale and productivity
So I like your thinking with the party pace supple life thing. However, I do not understand the drop bar obsession. Don't get me wrong, I have a gravel bike, but I wouldn't call it supple. Now my dual suspension enduro ebike. That is as supple as your gonna get. The gravel bike is cool, but it is still a protate pounder in comparison.
Supple has many meanings. Suspension is one of them. The other and more important one is to be flexible and open minded in your beliefs and those of others.
I like the point about not making it a "forced march". Sometimes I feel like grabbing my bike and heading into the mountains to find the steepest and most exciting route, and sometimes I just want to tool around in the parking lot and see if I can improve my wheelies. I try not to feel bad about any time I do, or don't, feel up to riding- I think it makes me ride more consistently that I don't (okay, try not to) feel shame for missing a week here and there.
Im with you. Sometimes I just don't feel like riding. I don't feel guilty about it. And sometimes that continues for a whole week. Then, when I do go, those are often the rides when I feel the strongest and the most precise.
Well done, and good to get some days of rest, isn't that when all the benefits of exercise are supposed to kick in? Yes, riding for a purpose is something I've missed during our lockdowns and really struggling get back to that. I hope you get a summer of at least a little bike fishing, watercolor, etc?👍
Love your work as always Russ...I have to say that I'm similar. I loved commuting on my bike here in Melbourne.... great creek trails and scenery.... nothing like seeing a few roos or a snake on the way to work. But once I started working too far away for cycling, and then working from home, cycling for exercise was all I had and it became a chore. Now I'm planning a few bike packing trip with mates so that riding to prepare for these trips will hopefully be enough reason to get out there and ride...... Also on the topic of 30 days: I've heard about other people doing [insert exercise] for 30 days and many have been disappointed with their progress. I guess it really does show that rest and moderation for us mortals is key.
Ah but Russ, rest days are training days. Sometimes our bodies just need a no-exercise day to heal the little niggles so they don't turn into injuries. Sometimes it's cool, windy and rainy and the thought of pushing the bike out the door is overwhelmingly daunting. Rather than mentally and perhaps physically punish yourself by pushing the pedals just because you have scheduled a specific workout, reward yourself with some yoga (I leave my mat out so I have no excuses) and meditation or maybe a run/walk instead. Think how excited to have the rubber to hit the roads/trails the next day, maybe even turn around on that last climb just to do it again so your climbing fitness doesn't suffer! A bike youtuber who is okay being honest about the difficulties of combining their passion and their job is always worth watching.
Thanks for sharing this! I experience work related burnout on a regular basis and have found that its ok for recovery to be slow. In fact, it sometimes takes me months to recover from a bad burnout. I actually just started reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, and I'm also learning about the importance of keeping up with small, realistic habits that over a long period amount to meaningful change. I bike daily and rely on it for every aspect of my life (commuting, fitness, doing groceries, exploring my city). I'm lucky enough I can continue biking throughout the Toronto winters (snow gets cleared from roads often enough, I just need to put up with the -10 °C winters and the occasional drops to -15 or -20 °C). I consider my commute (30 minutes, 7.5 km each way) to be part of my daily move/exercise goals. When I don't commute because I'm working from home I go for a short, 30-40 minute ride near my home just to feel like I've done something. In the past I used to track my fitness rides but then I stopped because all that matters to me is that I got out and accomplished something meaningful, no matter how tiny. I only have the one bike and I normally keep a small handlebar bag (5-6L capacity) on it. I also usually mount my phone and a small speaker for tunes. Sometimes when I am craving something different I remove all accessories and my bike handling changes dramatically that it feels like a new bike 🤣. Another thing I started doing recently to make sure I don't get bored of riding every day is installing wide tires and getting off pavement as much as possible. That is also helping and now I have several options for daily rides near my home. I have a love/hate relationship with riding solo. When alone I get to go anywhere and ride at whatever pace I like and have my favourite tunes on my speaker. I have some bike-loving friends but it is hard to find time to catch up with them regularly. We are all so busy we have to schedule bike rides days or weeks ahead of time. All the best tackling the burnout and congrats on landing a sponsor. I'd love to visit the pacific northwest someday.
You made me map out my (almost) daily ride. I would not have guessed it, but it is 1,000 feet of climbing. I ride for the mental break and endorphins. On days when I'm not exactly feeling like getting out I remember that if I don't--I later feel antsy and regret it. And then I go. I used to do yoga most days and cycling on the weekend, but with Covid I started cycling daily. Interesting to hear your perspective.
Russ, I like your comment about riding is boring. It's like walking or running. I run because I'm chasing the bus, or to cross the street faster or to get somewhere but running for exercise is boring lol. When riding bikes I totally understand the sentiment. Depending on the ride, there is the default one for just fitness, but includes some scenery. it's like when you can't really be bothered to figure out a route, so you just take that one because you know you'll find something to look at. then there are other routes, that you remember over time that lead to something and based on your mood you go check it out, again. Even if you ride the same paths, mix it up, variety is the spice. Doing 1000ft was an interesting idea and I'm sure you have the fitness for it but like you said over time it was a slog. Need variety, something else on the ride, then just "i'm going to climb". Maybe like, ok I'm going to climb and then take photos of the top or paint something, etc. Finding your way back to solo riding will take some time, I'm sure there might be some other emotions at play and those will take time too and best to talk about it with your close people. It's been a tough year for everyone so don't be too hard on yourself. Many people are finding their way back to the things they love this summer.
Isn't it crazy how something we love can feel burdensome? I appreciate all you do to provide content and knowledge to us. I'm having one o my best springs - and soon to be summers - because of your bikefishing videos! You are making an impact in others' lives as well!
I think we all appreciate the honesty. When riding becomes work, it can lose some of its appeal. This happened to me with golf. I was an avid and pretty good golfer in my younger days. When I went into the golf industry, it became work and not as much fun. On another note, I do like cycling alone. It's very therapeutic for me. I always liked playing golf alone as well. Hmmm. I'm actually not antisocial, but do like my alone time.
It's definitely hard to keep motivated all the time and going out when you don't want to or feel like it is certainly draining I've recently road 150 miles in one dayfor charity and trained for six months also stopped drinking alcohol for that period too . I started off really motivated but a 6 weeks before the ride I struggled for a couple of weeks to get out and do the hard miles . I still went out and just did some short rides at least I was still going out . I soon get the fire in my belly and smashed the ride on the day . Love the content and the channel keep up the good work 🤟👍🚴♂️
I ride because I like to be outside, and that's about it ;-) That's why I find training so boring: lift your head, watch the scenery and wear a smile on your face!
Sounds like a great opportunity to evolve the channel - Bikes for purpose: commuting, camping, packing, fishing, getting places, etc. Also sounds like you need more "Party" in your "Party Pace"! Oh, and I am so opposite from you: I love riding without purpose, just time on the bike outdoors; and I love riding alone: solitude is my most precious commodity. Great vid, as always; love your genuine and honest approach!
I absolutely agree with the "riding for a purpose" concept. I am more committed mentally and get more miles in weekly by riding my 40 mile round-trip commute by bike than I am getting up on Saturday AM to do the 'hometown loop'.
This will probably sound weird, but I love riding with other people enough that trying too hard to do it really demotivated me on my solo rides (missing the company I thought I’d have when it falls through, or hoping beyond reason to make a buddy ride happen). I find myself being much more regular (and enjoying solo riding more) when I only take the rides that fall into my lap.
once again an excellent video. I appreciate your transparency and also your continued effort to keep your life interesting. Thank you for sharing your journey...it mean quite a lot to quite a lot of us...patrick
If you do something as a job and HAVE to do it every day whether you love it or not it will always wear a bit. Other interests do help, and making sure that the fun element is there is important. After all, if it is not fun why do it?
I've tracked my miles since 1992-132,000 on the spreadsheet now. There have been many challenges to overcome and dips in motivation over years. Sometimes the simple rides, like commuting to work and seeing a pretty garden or a deer (sometimes munching the pretty garden!) is all it takes to get the mojo going again. Last summer with no events, no tours, I did a month long Everesting challenge hosted by the Syd and Mackey You Tube channel. Props Russ 30,000 feet in a month is hard!
Wow, this dug up some demons for me. I was a XC racer for over a long time and it was always existing with that obligation to ride. Mostly it was awesome. I'm so lucky to have had that. BUT....I'm not David Goggins, I can't live with that load on myself all the time. Some can, and what a gift that is, but not me. Still I found my way back into cycling (it never left) and now take it at whatever pace I decide. Great experiment, thanks for sharing and being honest.
Good job Russ , and thanks for sharing! Thanks to your sponsor too. We were just looking for an interesting hotel to visit in the Williamette Valley for a post quarantine stay! Probably biking and kayaking for us!
I agree riding is hard without having a purpose behind it. When I was working and commuting, it was very easy and motivating. I still ride, but it's more for fitness and mental health now. I find varying the type of riding helps. Some days I'll mountain bike on technical trails, other days I'll road ride. I'm also into kayaking as well, which still keeps me active outdoors while taking a small break from cycling.
1. I wish there were more hotels like that in the east coast. 2. I like to ride by myself for fitness about 2 times a week but it is boring, except the downhills. 3. I enjoy more my bike when I have a reason to go somewhere or with friends. 3.
I've found the same to be true lately. I miss riding to places, commuting, when I worked on my bike, to meet with people etc. I can only get so motivated to do solo strictly recreational/ fitness loops anymore.
I like riding with friends but I also find riding by myself great for clearing my mind and a boosting my metal health. Also, I find that resting is very important for the body. Nothing wrong with an easy ride or a day off.
You've also turned bicycles into a job, which must have its own burdens. But I'll bet you perk up a bunch when you get to travel again and ride with Laura more.
I love cycling by myself. Audiobooks, man audiobooks!
Audiobooks make cycling so much better. Just hours and hours of listening to interesting stuff.
I also do podcasts and ride mostly alone.
Ditto-told my wife just this week that a part of why i ride bikes is to get AWAY from people.
You and Laura have been through a lot in the past year. That has to play a big part in one’s outlook when facing worry and stress. You are thoroughly committed to biking and bike advocacy. Of that, I have no doubt. As you pointed out at the end of your video, you really miss the routine of biking as you and Laura have done. Keep working toward that happy goal!
Be gentle and kind to yourself. You and Laura are going through some heavy shirt Hang in there.
The “get organized the night before” tip is great. When you own multiple bikes (too many in most regards) maintaining them becomes a large chore and if not kept up. It is very demotivating when you stare at the stable and nothings ready or the bike you want is buried.
Turning a passion into a livelihood isn’t always a sure thing. We appreciate what you do. Thanks for sharing, Russ.
For me, just switching up bikes is all it takes to eliminate boredom and I have 4 bicycles and 2 tricycles in my stable
Well, riding for fitness purposes is important - we all should be exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Personally speaking, I prefer riding alone. It’s my time to myself away from the idiocy and stupidity that exists in today’s world. I enjoy the solitude, taking in the beauty of nature, and just peace-and-quiet. The sounds of the wind, drivetrain, and tires…along with sights and sounds of nature.
I do think people could use more time alone for reflection and remembering to be grateful (especially us Americans). By and large, we Americans have it better here than millions do elsewhere in the world.
Different strokes for different folks.
Touché. With the hiking trails being overrun, gravel biking has been my solace for peace and solitude. I hate worrying about keeping or slowing pace when with others. I enjoy the conversations and company sure, but nothing beats riding on your own terms.
Totally agree, riding just for the sake of riding when alone is hard to motivate myself to do. I like going places or doing it with people if I can. Same was true for running with me. After I graduated college and no longer had a team to run with I just couldn't motivate myself to go out and slam 8 miles a day by myself.
For me its not. I quite enjoy riding alone, the quiter the better and that alone is motivation for me
Call me Mr. Opposite. I prefer to ride alone, as no one has to change pace to suit another. I ride every other afternoon, pretty dang reliably, the exact same somewhat hilly ride every time. I just extend it a bit as I get into better condition, or back off when my 69-year-old body complains. Yes it IS work for me, necessary to keep in decent shape, and, more importantly, hold the depression in check (along with meds). Also I get exhilarated by acceleration and a little speed. Not sure why I don't get bored, or contrary, but I don't. Perhaps the striking scenic beauty of the ride helps.
great video. love hearing your point of view. at least from this view it sounds like you were pretty darn successful, I think you go to hard on yourself man. keep up the great work.
There is a saying it takes 3 weeks to form a habit and takes 3 days to break a habit. I'm shocked in your area you don't hit 1000ft every ride. I think a lot of things we start doing as a hobby/enjoyment end up feeling like a chore and we get burned out. Some times it's nice to step back a bit and take a few more days off.
Google Tilmann Waldthaler. A lifetime cyclist. When he speaks to an audience.... the first thing he says is: "Riding a bike is boring." All nerds are shocked. ;-)
Nice landscapes you have over there. Here in north Germany it is all flat and... boring. I have to come to Oregon.... one day....
This sentiment makes me go 'Well, ya." Walking is boring, driving is boring, canoeing/kayaking is boring. Anything you do frequently eventually becomes boring with the occasional interesting highlight when the unexpected happens.
Great idea, 1000 ft a day for an “Everesting” across a month 👍🏽
I love these videos discussing motivation.
did that, learned that i was fat.
I'm not much for riding by myself either. We can't wait until you and Laura start riding rides again. We like your big trips but even your coffee drinking rides are fun!
Ride bikes in a way you enjoy, I know plenty of people who just enjoy pootling around at Partypace.
I do like training (Validate Me Baby! etc...), but I also enjoy the simple pleasures of just riding around, it's all about finding where your enjoyment is on the day.
Insert Generic Roadie Rage Comment here ! :)
One day maybe you can do a 10 min video of your best B-Roll footage!
I'm on day 3 of 1K ft daily elevation gain alternating between walking and cycling. I am lucky to be able to ride/walk from my door and hit 1K within 4.5 miles. I am doing it so I can keep up with others on the weekend rides/hikes. I usually call it a day after hitting my target elevation but plan on adding mileage afterwards once I have acclimated to it. I am able to ride 20-30 miles on a flat ride.
getting burnt out from things is normal. AND its ok. BUT making sure we get back to doing what we love is whats important,no matter the love,passion,hobby..make sure we keep enjoying life. good video dude.
One way to force yourself to bike everyday is to bike or ebike to work. It is a sure way to wake up in the early morning. Now imagine having a 750ft (250m) climb to get there at up to 8%. I have to confess I go by ebike but if that day I don't get to do any other exercise at least I stretched my legs and I kept some shape for the more gruelling weekend. As you said, biking for a purpose.
Nice job. Riding every day can be very challenging. Some days I have the best conversations with myself. Do what makes you feel the best. Stay strong and stay positive. Best wish's to you both, Al
I like the discussion about mental health, cycling, habits, etc
Bikes! Bikes! Bikes! Everywhere I look. Everywhere I turn. In every nook and cranny. Ride to work. Show up to the party wet and sweaty. Ride home in the freezing cold. This vs that vs the other. Little invisible black plastic thingies everywhere. Hatred of cars. Car horns. Car doors. Locks. Helmets. Saddle theft. Saddle sores. How-to videos. Dampness….
Yes, I’m burned out too!
Biking for a purpose...agreed!
Anthropologically speaking, when not hunting or gathering humans sit, not to waste precious calories. We're pretty hard-wired to avoid exercise for its own sake.
Nice sponsorship slot! Relevant, nice tone and short. One of the best I've seen...almost subliminal! Now, how to get to the US ...🤔
Me as a commuter in the Ouachitas, climbing 1000ft a day for 4 years 😂. Not quite 1000 but my 8 mile overall commute has 800ft after both trips.
1000ft? Hmmm that's going up that hill 3 times a day. I wonder if I could do that.
I feel like if I do it slowly everyday there wouldn't be a problem but the journey to that hill is a problem , that road has heavy traffic.
Yeah no, I do not have the will power for that , it's 30 min to reach there .
I guess this is why you're a cyclist and I never will be .
I prefer riding alone, I don't have to wait for anyone, nobody has to wait for me. Other people tend to take long breaks , I don't like wasting time, once my butt stops hurting, I'm ready to go. Then there are those who can't pace themselves for some reason, they go really fast at the start and I'm barely keeping up , then 50km in they've slowed down to an abysmal pace and I keep having to wait for them .
Riding for riding sake is probably the best description of why I ride, it's not even fitness, I'm just riding to ride.
If you *have* to get over your burnout this way, then habit hacking may be the best, possibly even the only way to do it. But burnout exists for a reason.
Human beings are wired to be lazy. We're also wired to be incredibly hard workers. We seek out challenges, like climbing thousands of feet, and we avoid those challenges. It's a natural cycle of seeking stress and rest, and the training effect is the adaption to the stimulus of stress that occurs during rest.
Burnout happens when the cycle is too tilted towards stress. Eu-stressors, like riding your bike, become plain old stressors. Doing something challenging on your bike every day without a rest seems like about the worst thing you could possibly do, although the novelty of the experiment may help. If it were me, I'd find a workout to do on *alternate* days -- maybe in the gym, maybe something like a soccer or volyball game. Then on my rest days do some un-challenging, pure fun thing on a bike -- maybe even on an e-bike.
Video idea... Can you change a top pull front mech bike frame to a bottom pull? I am converting an old MTB frame to a gravel bike, and having a hard time finding a front mech to work with my setup. I have seen others looking for a solution. Cheers, and love the content!
That’s why I got a gym membership. I hated that I was riding my hike mainly for a workout, instead of out of joy. So my excitement of cycling has come back
Normally I would just let it pass, but to all of those that clicked the dislike button, how about finding somewhere else to watch? Most of us here are looking for positivity, something the world desperately needs. If you don't like something, why not just leave quietly. We won't mind. Russ is sharing his life with us. Appreciate his candor, it's rare these days.
Man riding everyday is a lot, i try and limit myself to 4-5x week max. This includes 1-2 hrs mtb rides. Everyone is different and I’m older than you but i feel fresher this way. You need to start riding mtb also, you have some great trails out there 🤘🤘
I feel like you just described the past three months for me. I had to stop doing my RUclips videos because the passion I once had for cycling is gone. The stress of my job combined with the stress of creating RUclips videos and the stress of maintaining my fitness on the bike it all led to a slow burnout. Then on top of that the pandemic, it just killed any passion I had left. Giving up RUclips definitely helped rekindle my passion for cycling. It is weird not filming my rides anymore but it freed up my mind and I remembered why I fell in love with cycling in the first place. I had similar goals myself for get myself back into the habit of riding. I never really stopped riding because this is my primary means of transportation but I have gotten out of practice. Like you, the weather was definitely frustrating me, constantly raining. And, I had to deal with a new problem, depression. My depression usually goes through seasons. I wait them out and eventually they go away. But, with the pandemic disrupting my routine, the depression has become more frequent. It is refreshing to hear someone else going through something similar. I am glad you shared this.
I don't want to criticise you but to make an observation. I think its a blessing you have the freedom to choose and the freedom to choose cycling. Most people don't have a choice and most of the most could not choose cycling. I think it's fantastic what you have achieved in your life regarding making your passion your job then being able to tackle the challenges you find with your work routine with the same sport. It's also great that you were able to reflect on it with a ''kind to yourself'' mindset and you were able to use this as a constructive experience. Fantastic.
Any time you turn a hobby or passion into a job it changes the dynamics of how you view it. I have had a few hobbies that became jobs and to be honest I don't really participate in those hobbies anymore because of it. With cycling though I find if I film on specific days then the ride is simply to get footage. Any other time I ride I am out to have fun or travel somewhere but that is solely my time to do what I want with no pressure or work associated with it. Burnout happens when you lose the fun factor of what you are doing.
One thing you did gain from this experiment is that you got back into riding condition quickly.
I also hate riding for fitness. That's why I mountain bike and don't track my rides. On the trail it's more about developing skills and the adrenaline for me.
IMO 1000 vertical feet per isn’t tiny. I read the same book and set a goal of riding 10 minutes per day since the purpose wasn’t to get fit but rather to form a habit. Funny thing is that I almost always rode way longer than that and felt amazing when I got home and beat my goal. Making the goal tiny really takes the pressure off and makes my rides more enjoyable.
fuuu everything you are saying about having to find all your stuff...this kills my vibe all the TIME.
You have at least one viewer that is impressed by 30x1000’. Nice work and great channel.
Not going to lie. Just hearing you talk about forcing yourself to ride doesn’t sounds like fun. And you already said it takes away from other hobbies. Why did you ride to fish, paint or for a new view from a trail?
Definitely riding every single day is not healthy, rest is important. The only exception I feel is commuting. When you just have to be somewhere everyday and you have a pretty easy route i feel like the mental and physical weight is pretty low.
Great video. Also I think the first sponsor ad that I've watched instead of skipping over. I guess the message to content producers is to have an advertisement/sponsor pertinent to your content and people will watch it.
We're human and we are in constant change. Good for you Russ for challenging yourself, discovering new things.
What an incredible effort, and thanks for sharing it with all of us 🙏
No offense Russ, but for those of us who live in concrete jungles in the Northeast, it's hard to see how one could get burned out biking in such a lovely place as Montana :)
Wait, how do you find a ride of less than 1000 feet? Lol here on the southeast of Pennsylvania I can't find a ride of less than 1300 feet, that is a Stava "flat" ride here
I agree riding alone is kinda boring if the goal is just for fitness. I only ride alone for the sake of exploring an area be it in the countryside or in the city. Either using my classic mtb turned gravel bike or my fixed gear. Solo partypace is still a thing
Cycling is my drug of choice. It's a healthy addiction.
Be grateful you do not live in the UK. If you love riding, you have to learn to love riding in the wet. Don't let the rain put you off.
Solo riding is my go to. My pace, my distance and I stop when I want. But I don't ride as hard solo.
Great stuff as always Russ. I ride pretty much every day and yeah, it can be a challenge. Like you, I always feel best when I have a purpose, a destination or an adventure to chase. Unlike you, I prefer riding solo. What keeps me going on my daily rides is a combination of two things; goals and bike variation. My daily rides are all about keeping my fitness levels good enough to cope with big adventure rides that I do a few times a year. Thinking of those big rides spurs me on during the more mundane dailies. Also, I have four bikes. They’re not fancy or expensive bikes but they are good bikes and each is very different from the other in some key ways. After a week or two on one bike I switch to another one and it always feels fresh and more interesting. I find this ‘bike variety’ keeps me going. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s a great excuse to own a small fleet of bikes!
I did a 90 day bike tour of Europe and didnt touch my bike for years. regrets.
Sounds like a successful experiment. I've found a few things that help me with bike burnout...
1. Have a variety of bikes so I can go on different kinds of rides (gravel vs fat vs mtb).
2. Don't always plan the ride out, just leave from the house and go wherever I feel like as I hit forks in the road/trail.
3. Change up my bike set up (i.e. different wheels, singlespeed vs geared) or go to a new area so it's a new experience.
4. Remember that bikes aren't everything and take a break because that's totally okay.
This is encouraging
I've become a total sloth during the pandy (maybe two or three rides this past winter) to the point that it has affected my health. I found walking/hiking easier to somewhat maintain and thankfully live in a hilly area. Commuting has always been a major thrust of my riding too so I am hoping things continue to return to somewhat normal again. Always appreciate your honesty. ✌💛
You can still commute to work when you work from home. Just get a short 30 min ride in between bed and desk. Really helps with mood, morale and productivity
Also it is near Alsea Falls and Black Rock mt bike trail systems.
So...
this is the Mumen Rider training arc
So I like your thinking with the party pace supple life thing. However, I do not understand the drop bar obsession. Don't get me wrong, I have a gravel bike, but I wouldn't call it supple. Now my dual suspension enduro ebike. That is as supple as your gonna get. The gravel bike is cool, but it is still a protate pounder in comparison.
Supple has many meanings. Suspension is one of them. The other and more important one is to be flexible and open minded in your beliefs and those of others.
Fenders? :) congrats getting back at it.
How about a different riding discipline? ie Enduro Mountain Biking
What does enduro even mean? How’s it different from normal mountain biking?
I like the point about not making it a "forced march". Sometimes I feel like grabbing my bike and heading into the mountains to find the steepest and most exciting route, and sometimes I just want to tool around in the parking lot and see if I can improve my wheelies. I try not to feel bad about any time I do, or don't, feel up to riding- I think it makes me ride more consistently that I don't (okay, try not to) feel shame for missing a week here and there.
Im with you. Sometimes I just don't feel like riding. I don't feel guilty about it. And sometimes that continues for a whole week. Then, when I do go, those are often the rides when I feel the strongest and the most precise.
Your honesty is very refreshing.
Riding solo is best. Sorry.
I see plaid, I click
Well done, and good to get some days of rest, isn't that when all the benefits of exercise are supposed to kick in? Yes, riding for a purpose is something I've missed during our lockdowns and really struggling get back to that. I hope you get a summer of at least a little bike fishing, watercolor, etc?👍
The question is… if you take a break for a day or two, do you miss gearing up and riding?
Yes
Love your work as always Russ...I have to say that I'm similar. I loved commuting on my bike here in Melbourne.... great creek trails and scenery.... nothing like seeing a few roos or a snake on the way to work. But once I started working too far away for cycling, and then working from home, cycling for exercise was all I had and it became a chore. Now I'm planning a few bike packing trip with mates so that riding to prepare for these trips will hopefully be enough reason to get out there and ride...... Also on the topic of 30 days: I've heard about other people doing [insert exercise] for 30 days and many have been disappointed with their progress. I guess it really does show that rest and moderation for us mortals is key.
I do a 1,000 foot climb about every other day or so, in good weather, alone. It's a great workout. And I enjoy it. I'm used to riding alone.
Ah but Russ, rest days are training days. Sometimes our bodies just need a no-exercise day to heal the little niggles so they don't turn into injuries. Sometimes it's cool, windy and rainy and the thought of pushing the bike out the door is overwhelmingly daunting. Rather than mentally and perhaps physically punish yourself by pushing the pedals just because you have scheduled a specific workout, reward yourself with some yoga (I leave my mat out so I have no excuses) and meditation or maybe a run/walk instead. Think how excited to have the rubber to hit the roads/trails the next day, maybe even turn around on that last climb just to do it again so your climbing fitness doesn't suffer! A bike youtuber who is okay being honest about the difficulties of combining their passion and their job is always worth watching.
Thanks for sharing this! I experience work related burnout on a regular basis and have found that its ok for recovery to be slow. In fact, it sometimes takes me months to recover from a bad burnout. I actually just started reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, and I'm also learning about the importance of keeping up with small, realistic habits that over a long period amount to meaningful change.
I bike daily and rely on it for every aspect of my life (commuting, fitness, doing groceries, exploring my city). I'm lucky enough I can continue biking throughout the Toronto winters (snow gets cleared from roads often enough, I just need to put up with the -10 °C winters and the occasional drops to -15 or -20 °C). I consider my commute (30 minutes, 7.5 km each way) to be part of my daily move/exercise goals. When I don't commute because I'm working from home I go for a short, 30-40 minute ride near my home just to feel like I've done something. In the past I used to track my fitness rides but then I stopped because all that matters to me is that I got out and accomplished something meaningful, no matter how tiny.
I only have the one bike and I normally keep a small handlebar bag (5-6L capacity) on it. I also usually mount my phone and a small speaker for tunes. Sometimes when I am craving something different I remove all accessories and my bike handling changes dramatically that it feels like a new bike 🤣. Another thing I started doing recently to make sure I don't get bored of riding every day is installing wide tires and getting off pavement as much as possible. That is also helping and now I have several options for daily rides near my home.
I have a love/hate relationship with riding solo. When alone I get to go anywhere and ride at whatever pace I like and have my favourite tunes on my speaker. I have some bike-loving friends but it is hard to find time to catch up with them regularly. We are all so busy we have to schedule bike rides days or weeks ahead of time.
All the best tackling the burnout and congrats on landing a sponsor. I'd love to visit the pacific northwest someday.
I need a purpose too. Climb to that pass. Visit that town. EAT LUNCH THERE. More often than not its planned around lunch tbh.
You made me map out my (almost) daily ride. I would not have guessed it, but it is 1,000 feet of climbing. I ride for the mental break and endorphins. On days when I'm not exactly feeling like getting out I remember that if I don't--I later feel antsy and regret it. And then I go. I used to do yoga most days and cycling on the weekend, but with Covid I started cycling daily. Interesting to hear your perspective.
Russ, I like your comment about riding is boring. It's like walking or running. I run because I'm chasing the bus, or to cross the street faster or to get somewhere but running for exercise is boring lol. When riding bikes I totally understand the sentiment. Depending on the ride, there is the default one for just fitness, but includes some scenery. it's like when you can't really be bothered to figure out a route, so you just take that one because you know you'll find something to look at. then there are other routes, that you remember over time that lead to something and based on your mood you go check it out, again. Even if you ride the same paths, mix it up, variety is the spice. Doing 1000ft was an interesting idea and I'm sure you have the fitness for it but like you said over time it was a slog. Need variety, something else on the ride, then just "i'm going to climb". Maybe like, ok I'm going to climb and then take photos of the top or paint something, etc. Finding your way back to solo riding will take some time, I'm sure there might be some other emotions at play and those will take time too and best to talk about it with your close people. It's been a tough year for everyone so don't be too hard on yourself. Many people are finding their way back to the things they love this summer.
Isn't it crazy how something we love can feel burdensome? I appreciate all you do to provide content and knowledge to us. I'm having one o my best springs - and soon to be summers - because of your bikefishing videos! You are making an impact in others' lives as well!
Absolutely maybe!
I think we all appreciate the honesty. When riding becomes work, it can lose some of its appeal. This happened to me with golf. I was an avid and pretty good golfer in my younger days. When I went into the golf industry, it became work and not as much fun. On another note, I do like cycling alone. It's very therapeutic for me. I always liked playing golf alone as well. Hmmm. I'm actually not antisocial, but do like my alone time.
It's definitely hard to keep motivated all the time and going out when you don't want to or feel like it is certainly draining I've recently road 150 miles in one dayfor charity and trained for six months also stopped drinking alcohol for that period too . I started off really motivated but a 6 weeks before the ride I struggled for a couple of weeks to get out and do the hard miles . I still went out and just did some short rides at least I was still going out . I soon get the fire in my belly and smashed the ride on the day . Love the content and the channel keep up the good work 🤟👍🚴♂️
I ride because I like to be outside, and that's about it ;-) That's why I find training so boring: lift your head, watch the scenery and wear a smile on your face!
Customize Kona Libre Carbon
If you have time
🙏🏽🙇🏽♂️
Sounds like a great opportunity to evolve the channel - Bikes for purpose: commuting, camping, packing, fishing, getting places, etc. Also sounds like you need more "Party" in your "Party Pace"!
Oh, and I am so opposite from you: I love riding without purpose, just time on the bike outdoors; and I love riding alone: solitude is my most precious commodity.
Great vid, as always; love your genuine and honest approach!
I absolutely agree with the "riding for a purpose" concept. I am more committed mentally and get more miles in weekly by riding my 40 mile round-trip commute by bike than I am getting up on Saturday AM to do the 'hometown loop'.
How about cycling to your favorite fishing spots with your rods and tackle, means to an end, combining hobbies and beautiful destinations?
This will probably sound weird, but I love riding with other people enough that trying too hard to do it really demotivated me on my solo rides (missing the company I thought I’d have when it falls through, or hoping beyond reason to make a buddy ride happen). I find myself being much more regular (and enjoying solo riding more) when I only take the rides that fall into my lap.
Idk man... 1k feet is a big number for us city commuters. Seems like a big accomplishment!
Everest complete!
once again an excellent video. I appreciate your transparency and also your continued effort to keep your life interesting. Thank you for sharing your journey...it mean quite a lot to quite a lot of us...patrick
Most years I run out of motivation in November and just go hiking a bunch instead. Then get back at it in late January or February.
If you do something as a job and HAVE to do it every day whether you love it or not it will always wear a bit. Other interests do help, and making sure that the fun element is there is important. After all, if it is not fun why do it?
I've tracked my miles since 1992-132,000 on the spreadsheet now. There have been many challenges to overcome and dips in motivation over years. Sometimes the simple rides, like commuting to work and seeing a pretty garden or a deer (sometimes munching the pretty garden!) is all it takes to get the mojo going again. Last summer with no events, no tours, I did a month long Everesting challenge hosted by the Syd and Mackey You Tube channel. Props Russ 30,000 feet in a month is hard!
Wow, this dug up some demons for me. I was a XC racer for over a long time and it was always existing with that obligation to ride. Mostly it was awesome. I'm so lucky to have had that. BUT....I'm not David Goggins, I can't live with that load on myself all the time. Some can, and what a gift that is, but not me. Still I found my way back into cycling (it never left) and now take it at whatever pace I decide. Great experiment, thanks for sharing and being honest.
very thoughtful video. How did the riding regimen affect your conditioning and mental health?
Good job Russ , and thanks for sharing! Thanks to your sponsor too. We were just looking for an interesting hotel to visit in the Williamette Valley for a post quarantine stay! Probably biking and kayaking for us!
I agree riding is hard without having a purpose behind it. When I was working and commuting, it was very easy and motivating. I still ride, but it's more for fitness and mental health now. I find varying the type of riding helps. Some days I'll mountain bike on technical trails, other days I'll road ride. I'm also into kayaking as well, which still keeps me active outdoors while taking a small break from cycling.
1. I wish there were more hotels like that in the east coast.
2. I like to ride by myself for fitness about 2 times a week but it is boring, except the downhills.
3. I enjoy more my bike when I have a reason to go somewhere or with friends.
3.
@Path Less Pedaled - Which Garmin are you using? Thank you
Solar instinct.
@@PathLessPedaledTV Thanks, sorry I was trying to find the video you mentioned your gps gear and mistakenly thought you were using a Garmin
I too find riding by myself just for exercise dull. Similarly for road running.
I've found the same to be true lately. I miss riding to places, commuting, when I worked on my bike, to meet with people etc. I can only get so motivated to do solo strictly recreational/ fitness loops anymore.
Great ideas , small achievable goals, and to start something you just have to start .
Mileage/elevation unimportant...peacefulness is. Ty for another great vid.
I like riding with friends but I also find riding by myself great for clearing my mind and a boosting my metal health. Also, I find that resting is very important for the body. Nothing wrong with an easy ride or a day off.