The Altered Routine of Cycling in Autumn

Routine is extremely important. With routine the question is not "whether you can be bothered" but "I will do this." You go from asking "if" to automatically assuming that on Wednesday morning you will ride, and sunday morning you will ride. If a ride is cancelled for A or B then you’re asking "if", but you’re also making other plans.

This weekend, for example, I saw that it would rain today. I assumed that the ride would be cancelled so psychologically I shifted my plans. I went for a group raclette and when the meal was over I stayed for a digestif, and then another, and then we went out. In the end I got home at 3:56 or so, and I went to sleep at 5 in the morning. That’s both really late, and really early. If I had got up for the bike ride I would have had two hours of sleep.

With the rain and the social plans, it didn’t matter. The bike ride was not the only social activity for me to look forward to. They did ride in the end, in the rain, and the cold, and the wet. The conditions today are not great.

I went for a solo walk instead.

Diversification to Avoid Autumn and Winter Solitude

At this time of year, if you like rock climbing, and hiking, and cycling, then it’s likely that you will have fewer events. With fewer events it means more time in solitude. Solitude has a cost. I could devote myself to the cycling groups, and I could have gone home at a reasonable time, with ease.

I didn’t. Sometimes it’s good to live in the present, rather than the future. If I had interrupted last night early, then I would have been throwing my life forward, rather than in the moment.

Cold, Wet, Low Light and Tiring

Cycling, at this time of year, is more tiring. I saw photos today, of the group ride. It looked cold and dark. There isn’t much light. The roads were reflecting light due to being wet and everyone was wearing a rain layer. Riding in the wet is one thing in summer, but in winter it’s less enjoyable.

I walked for fifty minutes in the rain today, and yesterday, and for two hours the day before. I’m not bothered by the weather. It’s because I had other plans, and in my mind the ride was cancelled, despite not being, in reality. I don’t regret not going.

And Finally

Dressing for the cold is one thing, but dressing for the cold and rain is another. The rain makes cycling much less present, especially given that road bikes usually don’t have mud guards, and that with a group we will be sprayed by our bike, and by others. It’s also slicker, colder, and darker, so more dangerous.

When the rain stops, and the sun comes out again, cycling will be more pleasant, and motivation will be easier to find. I saw that others are back on Zwift and indoor trainers. I shift to other sports.