The Pinkbike Podcast: Episode 93 - Staying Motivated and Overcoming Burnout

Dec 2, 2021
by Mike Levy  
Pinkbike Podcast
Art by Taj Mihelich


I think we can all agree that no matter what type of riding you do, mountain biking is just awesome. I'm even willing to bet that you have had some of the best times of your life while riding a mountain bike, be it due to the company you had, the freedom, the nature, or because you were pushing yourself to do new things and go faster or bigger. But let's also be real for a minute: sometimes, it's just not as fun as it should be. Sometimes, the fire doesn't burn as hot as you'd like it to, and the phrase 'ride or die' turns into ride or... don't.

The fire will come back, though, which is exactly what we're talking about on today's show. A lack of motivation or burnout can afflict anyone, from the average Joe and Jane to the best riders and racers in the world, so today we're chatting about how to fight that cloudy feeling with strategies to keep you pedaling.





THE PINKBIKE PODCAST // EPISODE 93 - STAYING MOTIVATED AND OVERCOMING BURNOUT
Dec 2nd, 2021

Ride or... don't?


Featuring a rotating cast of the editorial team and other guests, the Pinkbike podcast is a weekly update on all the latest stories from around the world of mountain biking, as well as some frank discussion about tech, racing, and everything in between.




Previous Pinkbike Podcasts
Episode 1 - Why Are Bikes So Expensive?
Episode 2 - Where the Hell is the Grim Donut?
Episode 3 - Pond Beaver Tech
Episode 4 - Why is Every Bike a Trail Bike?
Episode 5 - Can You Trust Bike Reviews?
Episode 6 - Over Biked Or Under Biked?
Episode 7 - Wild Project Bikes
Episode 8 - Do We Need an Even Larger Wheel Size?
Episode 9 - Why Are We Doing a Cross-Country Field Test?
Episode 10 - Getting Nerdy About Bike Setup
Episode 11 - Are We Going Racing This Year?
Episode 12 - What's the Future of Bike Shops?
Episode 13 - Are Bikes Too Regular Now?
Episode 14 - What Bikes Would Pinkbike Editors Buy?
Episode 15 - What's Holding Mountain Biking Back?
Episode 16 - Who's Your Mountain Biking Hero?
Episode 17 - XC Field Test Insider
Episode 18 - Electronics on your Mountain Bike: Good or Bad?
Episode 19 - The Hardtail Episode
Episode 20 - MTB Conspiracy Theories
Episode 21 - Stuff We Were Wrong About
Episode 22 - Does Your Riding Style Match Your Personality?
Episode 23 - Grim Donut 2 is Live!
Episode 24 - Why Even Buy a DH Bike?
Episode 25 - Fall Field Test Preview
Episode 26 - The Three Most Important Mountain Bikes
Episode 27 - The World Champs Special
Episode 28 - All About Women's Bikes
Episode 29 - Freeride or Die
Episode 30 - Would You Rather?
Episode 31 - Wet Weather Riding Tips & Tricks
Episode 32 - What Needs to Change in the Bike Industry?
Episode 33 - Behind the Scenes at Pinkbike Academy
Episode 34 - Grilling Levy About Field Test Trail Bikes (and His Bonspiel)
Episode 35 - Story Time - Stranger Than Fiction
Episode 36 - Grilling Kazimer about Field Test Enduro Bikes
Episode 37 - The 2020 Privateer Season with Ben Cathro
Episode 38 - Editors Defend Their 2020 Best-Of Picks
Episode 39 - Predicting the Future of Mountain Biking
Episode 40 - The Pinkbike Awards!
Episode 41 - Racing Rumours and Team Changes
Episode 42 - Mountain Biking's Guilty Pleasures
Episode 43 - Dangerholm's Wildest Custom Mountain Bikes
Episode 44 - Mountain Bike Suspension Decoded
Episode 45 - What Makes a Good Riding Buddy
Episode 46 - The RockShox Zeb vs Fox 38 Deep Dive
Episode 47 - High Pivot Bikes: The Good, The Bad, and The Why?
Episode 48 - Rides That Went Horribly Wrong... & Why That Made Them So Good
Episode 49 - What's the Best DH Bike?
Episode 50 - Are Bikes Actually Getting Less Expensive? (Value Bike Field Test Preview)
Episode 51 - Should MTB Media Post Spy Shots?
Episode 52 - Our Most Embarrassing MTB Moments
Episode 53 - Should Climbers Still Have the Right of Way?
Episode 54 - Best and Worst MTB Product Marketing
Episode 55 - Big Dumb Rides & Staying Motivated
Episode 56 - What Were the Most Important Inventions in Mountain Biking?
Episode 57 - What Were the Best (and Worst) Trends in Mountain Biking?
Episode 58 - Debunking Mountain Biking's Biggest Myths
Episode 59 - Value Bike Field Trip Surprises & Spoilers
Episode 60 - What Kind of Mountain Biker Do You Want to Be?
Episode 61 - Athlete Pay, Lycra, Equality and More from the State of the Sport Survey
Episode 62 - Editor Preferences and Why They Matter
Episode 63 - Our Best (And Worst) Bike Buying Advice
Episode 64 - Who's On Your MTB Mount Rushmore?
Episode 65 - The Hardtail Episode
Episode 66 - The Best and Worst of Repairing Bikes
Episode 67 - The Story of Mountain Biking's Most Interesting Man: Richard Cunningham
Episode 68 - Who Are Mountain Biking's Unsung Heroes?
Episode 69 - The Good, Bad, and Strange Bikes We've Owned - Part 1
Episode 70 - The Good, Bad, and Strange Bikes We've Owned - Part 2
Episode 71 - The Story of Mountain Biking's Most Interesting Man: Richard Cunningham - A Pinkbike Podcast Special, Part 2
Episode 72 - Hey Outers!
Episode 73 - The Details That Matter... and Some That Shouldn't
Episode 74 - The Best Trails We've Ridden and What Makes Them So Special
Episode 75 - Things MTB Brands Waste Money On
Episode 76 - MTB Originals and Copycats
Episode 77 - Interview with Outside CEO, Robin Thurston
Episode 78 - Modern Geometry Explained
Episode 79 - What's the Future of eMTBs?
Episode 80 - The Best Vehicles for Mountain Bikers
Episode 81 - You've Got Questions, We've (Maybe) Got Answers
Episode 82 - Behind the Scenes at Field Test
Episode 83 - Does Carbon Fiber Belong On Your Mountain Bike?
Episode 84 - Explaining RockShox's Computer Controlled Suspension
Episode 85 - Is the Red Bull Rampage Too Slopestyle?
Episode 86 - Greg Minnaar on the Honda DH Bike, World Cup Racing, and Staying Fast Forever
Episode 87 - How to Love Riding When it's Cold and Wet
Episode 88 - Mountain Biking on a Budget
Episode 89 - The Derailleur Pickle
Episode 90 - Is Supre the Future of Trouble-Free Drivetrains? (with Cedric Eveleigh of Lal Bikes)
Episode 91 - Riding Every Double Black in the Whistler Bike Park with Christina Chappetta
Episode 92 - Does Bike Weight Really Matter?

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

128 Comments
  • 35 0
 @mikelevy hearing both you and Henry speak to the downsides of social media and how personally it can take away from the joy and experience of riding more than it adds. It would be really interesting to have a full time mtb “influencer” on the podcast. As someone who is also beginning to discover that getting sucked in to doing it “for the gram” has more of a negative effect on me than a positive one. Hearing from a rider who earns a living from riding on social media, documenting posting every ride on youtube or stopping for each feature for a photo stays motivated and fights burnout could be a very intriguing conversation.
  • 11 0
 Excellent idea. Added to the list.
  • 2 2
 Tippie
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: Remi Metailler probably has some good stories
  • 22 0
 One of the best podcasts so far. So relatable on so many levels. I have had a suspicion for a while that many mountain bikers are just sensitive head cases who need the sport as an outlet. This podcast confirmed it for me, particularly listening to Henry talk about his experience with reclaiming bikes for himself. Thanks for laying it all out there for us, Henry! This was quality content.
  • 7 0
 Agree 100% This is easily one of the best PB pods to date. I especially appreciated Henry hammering home the sentiment that the majority of us are enthusiasts and not professionals. I think people really loose sight of that amidst all the social media content, video edits, and never-ending ad campaigns. And that's not to overlook all the cool new gear rolled out season after season that is absolutely necessary for us maximize our enjoyment of time spent in the saddle! I am ranting so I digress... Because social media let's any Dick or Jane post cool, manicured content that may misrepresent the actuality of their own experience and involvement biking; and because it is easy (generally speaking) to buy the latest and greatest and best gear that the pros are pimping, it becomes too easy to prioritize keeping up with the Jones' and to loose focus on what is really important with regards to being a bike riding enthusiast - actually getting out and riding your bike! That is not to say riding your bike is the only thing to enjoy about bike riding, however, it certainly seems to be the most fundamental aspect to being a cyclist...

Ride more, post less! Keep the focus on actually riding your bike and enjoying that singular experience!
  • 1 0
 When I saw the title I was a little bit disappointed as I don't really need more motivation to bike, as life in general limits it enough to make me always want more. But I agree this was my favourite podcast of the series so far. I laughed a ton and really felt for Henry and the team too. Great crew! @mikelevy I live around the corner and have a OneWheel you could borrow for the next month if you're interested! You mentioned maybe wanting to use one a couple episodes back. Lemme know!!
  • 1 0
 @paulwatt: Did you give me a beer one time when you were riding past my house on it?
  • 16 1
 Agree with Henry. Social media is really shitty. Trying to look cool for people you normally wouldn't consider friends, and looking at them doing the same thing and thinking "wow I should be doing as much cool stuff as they are doing." It takes a toll on a person. When you get off that and move to a more traditional smaller social circle you can just enjoy being a normal person again.
  • 3 0
 Definitely sneaky tiring.
  • 13 0
 This was interesting in a way- but I think for the regular Joe (and 5% Jeanne's here) it's the other way round, we use mountain biking to prevent burnout from our regular day jobs, and hell it works well!
  • 3 0
 Exactly, it's and escape from life for a few hours at a time.
  • 3 0
 True, but it can be good to know that the people "living the dream" are still people and it can still be work. I ride to fight burnout in my day to day, but I still burnout with riding and struggle with motivation and appreciated hearing how it's approached by others.
  • 10 0
 My solution for burnout: Make poor excuses not to ride all of fall until the snow arrives and then have the same acceptable excuse as everyone else until the spring. In the meantime do nothing to try change my attitude and hope for the best. Top level adulting.
  • 2 0
 We're on the same program!
  • 4 0
 Mine is to build trail. Basically, wandering around aimlessly in the woods, on foot, with the dog, with periodic workouts with my McCloud.
  • 1 0
 @codypup: yours is great. I did that after a storm recently and it was very soothing. The poison oak that covered my entire arm after was not.
  • 1 0
 @Ososmash: Recent build is called "Scratch" for a reason
  • 10 0
 I feel bad how @henryquinney feels about his GMBN videos. His videos were a massive highlight of the channel, the demeanour, and approach was so much more relatable than a former pro. I liked the poetic musing of his everesting challenge, especially using a normal mtb bike not some lightweight xc thingy. I am pretty sure I watched it and was inspired to head out onto the trails. But I also agree going on social media to seek validation is a recipe for disaster.
  • 5 0
 I really liked his Everest video and did not have nearly the same negative impression he has of it!
  • 3 0
 @elrad I mean that's very nice of you to say. It's a funny thing and I know it's only bikes so I try to not take things too seriously. However, whatever your work, be it coding software or making cabinets, you're gonna get better all the time and learn along the way. I think that video was the best thing to happen for my approach as it actually made me realise that I wanted the content to be richer and not so focussed on me. I think now I write scripts differently because of that video and try and compliment the subject with fun bits (hits and misses accounted for! Ha) instead of being the subject myself - just seemed so unduly self-referential. Either way, I'm glad it happened - just gutted that all my lessons are on the internet... seemingly forever! Haha. The best bit is, there are plenty of misses and hopefully one or two hits to come along the way. And that's just part of the job. Cheers.
  • 2 0
 @henryquinney: I watched your Everest video when it came out. Sure, it was a little bit cheesy at times, but what I remember thinking was "man, this dude clearly f*cken' LOVES riding bikes." And then watched everyone of your videos after that.
  • 4 0
 @henryquinney: I went through the same phase and had to go private with Strava, I eliminated the social media, and learned to be satisfied with myself without anyone validating it.
I still use Strava now for the stats as you said. No social media is the best thing ever.
  • 2 0
 @henryquinney:" the bike chain is the only chain that will set you free." I loved this when I heard it in the video. So different to the usual gnarly bro type stuff out there.
  • 2 0
 @henryquinney: Dude that Everesting video is a seriously inspiring piece of riding. You talk about how a stoic no-nonsense person just getting their head down inspires you, well that's exactly what this video did to me. I've watched a few other youtubers do the Everest and they have a big support team behind them, massively over-prepared, people riding with them during the day etc. And then there is Henry who goes into the forest, puts a bunch of snacks on a table, gets his head down and completes an Everest on an Enduro bike with no chamois and flat pedals!!
You're a madman! An inspiring madman Smile
  • 7 0
 Strava almost ruined mountain biking for me because I found that when I was using it I would feel like I HAD to ride, not that I wanted to ride, and it was turning my favorite thing to do for the last 25+ years of my life into something more like a job. It would get to be the last couple of months of the year, and I would see that I would need "X" amount of miles to hit some mileage milestone for the year, and I would start forcing myself to get out for rides. Not only was this an issue because I was finding myself riding in pretty bad weather conditions and potentially putting myself in harm's way, but it also caused tension in my home because responsibilities started to fall more on my wife because I'd "just have to get at least 5 miles in" instead of, say, driving my kid to their sports practices. At the end of 2020 I did a ride on Strava and titled it "adios Strava" and deleted the app. I've enjoyed riding so much more ever since.

And now that I've put this down in writing, I think I may have been the first Strava addict. GO COLD TURKEY, FRIENDS! Dump your Strava before it gets you too! Smile
  • 7 0
 I love Henry's attitude, especially towards Strava and being vocal about your rides. I used to judge my riding on strava KOMs and people seeing how 'much' I ride and how 'good' I am at it. It nearly killed my love for riding bikes. On day I simply ditched it and rode for fun again, that was, in Henry's words, simply liberating.
  • 6 2
 My strategy is to do 1-3 "road" rides a week to keep in good condition, either on the road, flat trails, or concrete greenway trails. I listen to an audiobook. So it isn't "riding time" in my mind, it's book reading time. This keeps me in a high level of condition for when I want to do a serious trail ride or go on a trip with my friends.
  • 22 1
 I also use road riding to help keep me motivated for mountain biking. I have such a miserable time on the road bike that mountain biking is even more special when the time comes
  • 2 1
 @Bobadeebob: watch a show about road cycling (Yowamushi Pedal on Netflix worked for me), find the Road Cycling Archetype that fits your personality and enjoy road cycling.

Also, lose the fear or challenging yourself in Strava, use strava for you and you only, and you will find ways to have fun on the road.

Is not the same as Mountain biking but it helps.
  • 1 0
 @Bobadeebob: Yeah, road biking helps me quite a bit. Where I live it is just 50 minute slogs uphill before you descend for 15-20 minutes, so its a bit hard to build fitness just from mountain biking. Road biking and keeping an eye on metrics has improved my mountain biking quite a bit.
  • 3 0
 @Narro2: I was exaggerating a bit really. Road biking is awesome. But every time I go mountain biking after a few road rides I remember just how fun it is
  • 5 0
 Mountain biking takes a toll on your body, especially as you get older. Sometimes what you need is a good relaxing spin to still be riding, but not worrying about all the gnar of singletrack. That said, I don’t do real “road riding.” I stick to bike/pedestrian greenway trails where there isn’t any traffic, and I only go 10 miles or so. Nothing too long.
  • 4 0
 I like to go out on a ride and maybe pick one or two spots on the trail that give me trouble to hang out at and practice. Or I find that doing a lot more skidding really helps.
  • 1 0
 @TheR: this is the way.
  • 1 0
 I call it "road" riding because I ride my mountain bike.
  • 2 0
 I used to ride to Trout Mask Replica. It took me a good few rides to wrap my head around it but what a great album.
  • 4 0
 My solution:

1) more silly/stupid rides involving beer and friends

2) more campouts involving bikes

3) a variety of bikes, hopefully some of which are objectively less efficient so that getting a Strava PR/medal is totally off the table when you're riding it

4) a variety of rides (trail smashers, trail cruisers, solo rides, group rides, long rides, short rides, rides out of town, varying common routes, etc.)
  • 2 0
 Slow bike fast! That's why I have a hardtail. You can only go so fast, so you prevent the ride from becoming just about going fast.
  • 6 0
 Riding a gravel bike on green/blue mtb trails can be super fun, challenging. I really dig it as a change up.
  • 4 0
 I know it’s inconceivable to most, but sometimes you go through periods where it’s just not as fun to ride. It’s ok. Take a break and do something else for a while. That’s ok, too. I pretty much hang up the bike right around now, go skiing. Pick it up again in March/April. I think it helps me not get burnt out.
  • 3 0
 I live in British Columbia so there is a bike season and a skiing season. At the end of one season I’m psyched for the next season.
  • 2 0
 @kingbike2: Exactly the case here in Colorado. I don’t know what they can do in the rest of the country, but finding something else to do for a few months will keep you fresh.
  • 4 0
 I liked this episode, but was sad at a few things Henry said. I loved him on GMBN and thought he did a great job, and the one episode of his that has stuck in my mind since I watched it was his Everesting attempt. To hear that he regrets this episode made me especially sad; Henry, it was fantastic! I thought it gave us an honest view of who he was as a person on the bike, and I appreciated him for doing that.

Seriously, Henry, stop the self-hatred; I loved you for all you did at GMBN, and am glad you ended up at PinkBike where I can continue hearing your opinions.

PS: The other great Henry moment I remember was the "odd one out" game he played with Blake in which he asked Blake if "Thirsty Kirsty" was a real Schwalbe tyre, and when Blake had to think about it, Henry lost his shit and couldn't stop laughing.
  • 3 0
 A couple of things help keep me riding year round. I carry a large Silky trailsaw, I watch for reports of trees down on our local trails and plan some of my rides around those, clearing the trees as I go.

I post a report of my rides on Instagram, which then come back each year as a reminder, a bit of a motivator. Most days have several years of reminders now. So when it’s cold and dark out in the mornings, I’m reminded it was like that ‘today’ last year or 4 years ago and it was a great ride so get out there! Smile
  • 3 0
 The Silky Bigboy is such a good hand saw - I carry one regularly this time of year, especially after wind and rain storms.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: What do you carry yours in? I have mine in a camel back but would prefer a larger bum bag or something given the option.
  • 1 0
 @SeaSwab: I'm able to squeeze it into a Camelbak Chase vest. I think it's way too big to fit in a hip pack, at least the version I have - it measures 16" when closed.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: I’ve a bit of a Silky Saw collection, carry a Pocket Boy 170 in the Summer hip-pack, BigBoy in the backpack and in the winter. Then I have the Katanaboy 650, which is in it’s own shoulder pack and has been described as an acoustic chainsaw!
  • 1 0
 @Danksi, nice, that 650 is a monster. I picked up an Ego Power+ 18 electric chainsaw for the bigger stuff and I've been super happy with it.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer:

Isn’t an electronic chainsaw to a Silky Owner, the same as an eBike to a regular bike owner? Smile

K-Boy drone action shot.

www.instagram.com/tv/CWg4BhWBkpX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Just finished the Podcast and caught your broken back story. I can relate, I crashed hard end of May and fractured my C3. Feel incredibly lucky to be mobile and back on the bike, albeit with the occasional panic moments, but working through those ride to ride.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: I carry an unpowered chainsaw, the Nordic Pocket Saw. At least it is pretty compact and can be strapped to my belt.
  • 2 0
 @Danksi: thanks for doing the trail work... if only more helped out.
  • 1 0
 Here I noticed a comparison between the two models.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv24ly3O1Pc
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: PB podcast question. Are there any purchases you would make if you weren't so focused on performance? I would have wasted the money on an ext fork even though I'm an xc lover.
  • 3 0
 I like basically deciding whether to ride or ski in the spring based on weather here in the rockies-if it's going to be dry, then I go ride in the desert, if it's raining, it'll be sticky in the desert and powder in the mountains, so it's a no brainer to go ski. Also taking the odd backpacking trip makes me miss bikes more.
  • 3 0
 @henryquinney I can completely relate to what you where saying about needing the validation from other people. I love a big adventure and used to be well known locally as the big ride guy, the pressure I felt to keep posting up on Strava with my rides was crazy, if I had a mechanical or another issue where I had to cut a ride short I felt like I had to explain myself in the title of the ride, it nearly ruined biking, the solution was delete Strava, insta and Facebook, I still go on some crazy rides but no one but me knows and that’s the way it should be!! There’s more pleasure in being a man of mystery.
  • 2 0
 Ha yeah mate! That's so rad. Nothing cooler than getting back from some absolute shithouse of a day and just going to bed after a strong cup of tea knowing that you just did it. It's kind of rewarding to keep those precious details just for you. I've certainly found a new love for it.
  • 1 0
 A friend of mine shut all his stuff down for the same reason. I like being able to go back and look at my crazy stuff and remembering the experience again years later. I do it for me, not others. I did start a relationship with a girl via Strava, and another with a girl I met in a running group on FB, so I have other good uses for social media.
  • 4 0
 I'm glad PB hired Henry, there's a lot more interesting depth to him than I experienced watching him on GMBN (shrooms aside).

Still waiting for Levy's buddy Wayne to appear on the show.
  • 3 0
 Did anyone else notice the stark contrast:

"Schwalbe is making tires from recycles rubber"
vs
"and today's sponsor wants you to trade in your current, most likely still functioning, cycling computer for their new model"

Thats almost as bad as throwing your tires in the river as soon as the hair is gone :p
  • 3 0
 Great podcast. I try to ride consistently and am always trying to improve my skills on the bike. Struggled with motivation this summer when it felt like every ride was becoming mentally taxing / super techy, and can't see progress /falling off. Simultaneously, other friends who have been riding for less time seemed to be doing harder lines, despite me trying hard. And mostly I ride with men (I'm a woman), and they are usually faster climbers etc than me, even though I'm fast for a woman, which just leaves me feeling more frustrated. And then every time you look on YouTube etc, more pro bikers and non pro shredding crazy stuff/ big rides, which just makes one feel inadequate. Then it becomes this weird mental war of being like, oh, I'm only going to ride easy (because then I won't ride poorly) Vs being angry with myself for taking easier lines... Then I just became super frustrated and disinterested in biking...

I found I regained interest by deleting Instagram /fb (still strava for myself ) and trying to do more fun rides with stoked friends, rather than just grinding out strava times etc... What a strange world of social media we live in...
  • 1 0
 When you ride for a long time (30 years for me this year), at one point the progress you are making are very little and not obvious. So, if I compare to the my early 2000's year when I started downhill, when I rode Whistler in 2005 for the first time, my progress now are close to 0 compare to this early days. So, I understand it can be frustrated but you hav to see the riding to another angle.
The progression is not that obvious, but I can ride stuff now comfortably now instead of being close to dying back then. You can focus more on improving the cornering skills for example without trying to go fast but just by decomposing everything. I found the Ben Cathro serie "How to bike" just spot on to improve skills even for the rider who ride since the beginning of time (or dino time).
Just like @mikekazimer, I'm never bored to ride my bike. I could do it everyday if I could without being bored by it. I don't destroy any KOM on Strava, I don't jump crazy things, but I'm just happy to ride without crashing too often.
  • 3 0
 I happened to look at a gmbn-tech video with Henry the other day, and it made me remember you (Henry) did really really good ones.

I avoid paying for strava and I'm far from top ten so I can basically only see my own times and compete with myself. Works for me to avoid feeling like the average (at best) rider I am.
  • 2 0
 Quite enjoyed that podcast everyone...Henry, damn you think too much. Ignorance is bliss on my part (I'm just not that intelligent obvi). My personality is very similar to @mikekazimer but quite interesting to listen to everyone's self introspective.

Been riding must be 30 years now and what keeps me stoked, (1) Learning new shit! Finally forced myself to use my dropper this year and wholly shit, it was a game changer. (2) Travelling to new places...this year Squamish and Quebec. (3) Living in Canada, I skate ski for the winter months. By April I'm so ready to ride again, we usually head down to Brevard or Sedona. (4) Fun rides with friends with various social rides over the summer complete with BBQ nights, costumes, etc.
  • 2 0
 This was an excellent podcast. I recently switched to riding a single speed to help with motivation. If I have to maintain less and worry about components less I can just focus on riding having fun and not taking myself too seriously.
  • 2 0
 I take social media with a grain of salt. I find the worst one is Strava. It's so easy to get caught up into what everyone is doing that soon the love of riding becomes second to posting better times. You start losing trail etiquette and stopping to chat with other riders. Some people train for strava racing, not actual racing. Or they're marking your rides. It's so weird. As for riding, I've taken 3 years off to do other things. I sold my mountain bike last year and took some time off, now I'm trying gravel riding. It's good to mix things up.
  • 9 0
 I've never had that issue with Strava - I pretty much only ever look at my own numbers and rides and use it to motivate myself. But Instagram is a giant pile of smoking dog shit, at least for me. I didn't realize it, but it was bumming me out to see everyone being so rowdy (big rides, big jumps, etc) when I wasn't feeling like riding all that much.
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: Strava works if you use it like that. But if you're highly competitive (like I was) then you start living for it and it becomes destructive. When I deleted my account, it was the most liberating thing. I get the hate with Instagram. However I still occasionally make money and get jobs because I'm on there. Otherwise, it's a f*cking popularity contest.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy:

I can relate to the deal about going out and then not feeling 100% fast getting to you mentally. It does it to me.
Coming from a road racing background, I’m always riding for fitness and speed. I work for it, but there are times when the legs don’t want to cooperate and those days get me down.

I feel you man!!
  • 1 0
 I'm highly competitive, but I don't use Strava to compete. eBikes have made it easier to not care about KOM's. You get tired if flagging eBikes taking climbing KOM's, or recently a guy totally cutting trails riding through weeds for a KOM, and you realize it is meaningless. I put my competitiveness into actual racing events. Same attitude I had with motorcycle racing, I never felt like hauling ass in the canyons because I had the race track available.

As for IG, I don't follow anyone like that. I mostly just follow friends only. The only "influencer" I follow is a local guy and I go bigger than him, and I know he spends more time editing than I do riding, so I don't feel like I'm missing something.
  • 2 0
 Awesome podcast folks. I find my personality similar to Levy and Henry, and as such, I found when they spoke about their struggles with motivation to hit home for me. I walked away with some ideas to keep up the stoke. Thank you and keep it coming!
  • 2 0
 Question for when you get to the field test podcast: how does it being sponsored by Bontrager and one of the bikes is a Trek work? Not intended to be the troll it may sound like. I honestly think you’ve done a good job explaining stuff like embargoes vs. sequestering and “review on Monday.”
  • 2 0
 Glad Henry was aware enough to point out the tire industry using crap advertising to pass the blame onto consumers. For example most things being recycled currently (living in the us )end up going directly into the Landfill. So while recycling can be good it doesn’t actually help much to expect the consumer to take care of the problems big business created and profits from.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: Don’t know if this has been covered, but maybe a good topic for the podcast would be mountain bike products that exceeded expectations. For me, that would be Muc Off and I9 wheels. I used to dread cleaning my bike before Muc Off, and I9 convinced me there’s a big difference between good and OK wheels. I think we’ve all had those moments where we were like, “I’m glad I bought that. It’s made my (riding) life better.
  • 2 0
 Cycling burn out is a problem I'd like to have. I'm stuck with long-covid currently wondering if I'll be able to ride to the same capacity again. If been off the MTB for 7 months now. Ride your bike, be grateful for every second.
  • 1 0
 So many people take life for granted. Putting off fun for tomorrow, assuming it'll be there.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy holy cow, I have never heard of anyone else needing an enemy for motivation (real or perceived) and so many other points that capture my personal arc as well as this did. So nice to share the mental battles that you tend to think are yours alone. This podcast was really amazing and I think it should be an end of season / annual round up again. Also a good base topic for any future guests you have. Thanks PB!
  • 1 0
 I turned Strava into a monster for myself. Its a great app and i have used it for ever but decided to can it last month. Cant say i mis it too much. It definitely got me riding more to chase the “goals” but the joy was ultimately gone. As i said, app is great, i made a monster of it.
  • 1 0
 Can’t ski every day or even every weekend and I don’t have a fat bike because after dark riding at most spots around here will get you either a ticket or arrested. We’ve got a peloton bike that’s been a friggin lifesaver for my sanity in the winter. I work on base miles and turn my brain off for a few hours a time and put on long POV rides on the TV to distract myself.
  • 5 0
 How about some more content from RC?
  • 3 7
flag Kootbiker (Dec 2, 2021 at 10:05) (Below Threshold)
 We’ve got Henry now, we don’t need RC.
  • 3 0
 RC will be back!
  • 4 0
 My plan to overcome burnout for 2022 involves a 300cubic centimeter displacement 2-stroke
  • 1 0
 Spent 24 hours with a team on a kart track this past weekend on a bike. I didn't need a break from the bicycle, but was fun hammering out laps for hours.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the advice as always. I think a big part of the trouble is the levers. I tried to save $10 after spending over $1,000. My cheap side can really mess me up.

www.pinkbike.com/photo/21734093

As for motivation, it is sad how little I ride. Let's put it this way, I built more bikes in the last two months than times riding (one). Some times it is good reasons like weather or injury but mostly I don't know how to manage my time. But the good news is that knowing I will get to ride eventually gives me hope and helps me stay motivated in other areas of life.
  • 1 0
 I know a good trick for cable disc brakes. Replace your cable housing with compressionless housing. Puts much more of your power to the brake. A few companies make them but an easy and affordable one to find is Odyssey Linear brake cables.
  • 1 0
 Because social media has become such a big part of mountain biking it probably merits a podcast all of its own.

@henryquinney I think I understand what you mean. I sometimes think it must be difficult to be recognised when you're just out there trying to enjoy your hobby. In the unlikely event that I ever spot you out on the trails I will try to resist the urge to say hi despite the fact your clearly a very interesting multi-dimensional character.

If you're are enjoying bikes who cares about anything else.
  • 1 0
 Living in SoCal makes it easier to ride year round, staying motivated for me isn't too hard. I commute 4 days a week (I drive one day and MTB after work with the GF) on my roadie an hour each way. I could drive or ride my motorcycle, but I prefer the pedal. I also run, rock climb, and ride track on a motorcycle so I have other things I can do besides ride

I found a good balance with social media. I don't go on it much, follow mostly friends only, and only post once in a while. And I am mostly posting so my grandma can see what I am doing (I need to post more), so I'm not trying to prove anything. I did take a break from Strava for a while (partially because of a car accident) and was getting messages from followers that they missed my posts so I looked forward to sharing my rides again, but I don't feel like I need to prove anything, I just do what I want.

I'm finding less motivation trying to do the right thing for the environment though. I work at a factory in the maintenance department and have tried to do several things to improve efficiency or save energy, and all of it has been ignored or blown off. I won't be specific, but we are burning more energy in a day than I probably use in a month or two (combined) doing absolutely nothing, and it's demotivating.
  • 1 0
 Also enjoyed the podcast.

I appreciate the level headedness of folks like @mikekazimer, but am more inclined to be like @mikelevy

I have a penchant to overdo activities, until I'm sick of them. And have had periods of burnout on the bike where it sat idle for 6 months. I think I'm a bit older and more sensible now, so hopefully that won't happen again.
  • 3 0
 You promised a few extra F-Bombs , and you delivered Smile
Nothing to ask or add, this was a very fun podcast.
Thankyou
  • 2 0
 Man of my word.
  • 2 0
 I was highly motivated to ride this afternoon. But alas, it's raining. Soil is mostly clay around here, can't ride when wet. I'm sad now.
  • 1 0
 @henryquinney if Portugal inspired you see also if the way rubber is produced does it for your opinion about tyres recycling... time for a lot of stuff is also ending with us...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fusUxEPwsw
  • 4 1
 I can offend people with 3 words: E-Bikes are good.
  • 2 0
 When I can’t get motivated to ride the bicycle I go out and work on trails.
  • 1 0
 Have you thought about doing a strictly Q & A podcast? I want to know more about the mini, and how the Grim donut is going to take over the MTB world!
  • 3 0
 Yup, we've done one in the past: www.pinkbike.com/news/the-pinkbike-podcast-episode-81-youve-got-questions-weve-maybe-got-answers.html

We'll do more in the future, too.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: I just realized I have listened to it already. I’m going to go stand in the stupid corner now.
  • 1 0
 @Thoromian: See you there!
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer totally get the stoic East Coast thing. Dealing with aging parents from Vermont! What the hell is in the water back East?
  • 2 0
 Trail building/maintaining is good way to get some time off the bike and will make the trails you ride better. Win/Win.
  • 2 0
 Living in Alaska provides a built in failsafe against getting burnt out on riding!!!
  • 1 0
 A solid conversation Henry you come across very well spoken then you drop the F bomb really no need of it Time and a place sir
  • 1 0
 Isn't Brian Park a father? As a dad of two I'd love to hear how he balances family time with bike time.
  • 3 0
 Whats your strava levy?
  • 18 0
 Peter Enis, aka P. Enis
  • 3 0
 Great podcast.
  • 3 0
 this one was real talk!
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy next time you’re burnt out on bike, you’re still welcome to come play with cars here !
  • 2 0
 I was planning to drive down before Christmas but doesn't look like it'll happen Frown
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: winter is perfect time for the cars too in this furnace! There is more time...
  • 1 0
 Henry had great insight. Definitely showed this is something that he is passionate about and has thought about a lot.
  • 1 0
 @henryquinney thanks for getting me finally quit instagram. It just f*cks you up.
  • 1 0
 Best PB Podcast to date, some of the most relatable content I've experienced in recent memory. Keep it up!!!!
  • 1 0
 Henry has been an awesome addition to the team
  • 2 0
 ALIENS!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 As the sign suggests the 4 corners of the podcasts are donuts, aliens, water bottle (holders) and tires ... they have skipped on the donuts for a bit.
  • 2 0
 @chrsei, good point. Now that winter's almost here we should probably dedicate a podcast to discussing our favorite donuts.
  • 1 0
 Rossi is a 9 time World Champion, he's an 89 time winner
  • 1 1
 Great insight from Henry. Dude has social media and a lot of other things figured out.
  • 1 0
 Sombrio Squall vs Poc Mantle Thermal
  • 1 0
 This is my favorite PB podcast yet!
  • 2 0
 Jah feel @mikelevy 3
  • 1 0
 You guys cover e-bikes?
  • 3 0
 nah
  • 1 4
 I like the pod and all the hosts..... but Henry take a breath and make some space for Sarah. It will show actual self awareness







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.044205
Mobile Version of Website