We all know that person who has a bike sitting in their garage, unused, covered in dust, and acting as a rack to hold miscellaneous items that are also currently out of use, and perhaps you yourself are this person. Maybe that bike is also a stationary exercise bike in your basement or other out of sight out of mind space in your home purchased with the best of intentions but never being used. Life can get busy and with efficiency and time management being high on everyone’s priority lists, you might not think that you have any available time to add cycling, but it is more a matter of identifying the time that already exists as opposed to trying to create it from scratch.
Upgrade Your Game
Part of the reason that many lose motivation and desire to use their bikes is boredom. Becoming bored with your bike and the routes that you ride it on are common so find new ways to get excited about your old hobby and you can reignite your initial draw. Electric bikes are one of the more recent trends in the cycling world. These motorized bikes allow hobbyists of all ranges to enjoy a bike ride that can be for leisure, exercise, or simply woosh past all the other slowpokes. With a range of 120 miles these bikes can certainly help you explore new routes that you may have previously wrote off due to length or terrain.
If your cycle hobby is indoors in the form of a stationary exercise bike, consider upgrading your game by switching up the style in which you ride. There are so many apps available now that either specialize in or have categories for indoor cycle. Rides can be customized based off goals, time frames, music preferences, and even the instructor guiding you through it. Variation is an awesome boredom buster and if you explore the new technologies you will see that there is no shortage of that with these apps and programs.
Use as a Supplement
Using your bike as a supplement for other modes of transportation may take some creativity, but if you really want to spend time on your bike but think that you have none, this is a good place to look. Biking to and from work instead of driving, walking, or taking public transit is a great option if time, distance, and climate allow. Even if this supplement is made on occasion when conditions allow you may find that it is a simple swap to make.
You can also find ways to incorporate your bicycle into your social life. A simple online search may lead you to cycle clubs or groups in your area that have scheduled rides. Joining a club can create accountability for the reluctant rider as well as teach you about new outdoor routes previously unfamiliar to you. Such groups and clubs also exist for the indoor hobbyist so building a community is relatively easy for both types of riders. If you are seeking out a more intermittent but still social and group opportunity for cycling, investigate charitable organizations that have riding events to raise money and awareness for a specific cause. These events are often held both in person as well as virtually so your options for participation are plentiful.
