11 Ways to Beat the Seasonal Funk as a Cyclist
Seasonal changes can hit harder than we expect.
Shorter days, colder mornings, less sunlight and disrupted routines can quietly drain motivation and energy. Even for people who genuinely love riding, those shifts can make getting out the door feel harder than it should.
I’ve experienced this at different points in my career, both as a professional athlete and later, when cycling became something I needed to fit around work and life. What I’ve learned is that feeling flat in certain seasons doesn’t mean you’ve lost motivation or discipline. It means your environment has changed, and your approach needs to change with it.
Here are eleven practical ways I’ve found to manage the seasonal funk and keep cycling feeling positive, sustainable and enjoyable.
11. Accept That Some Seasons Feel Harder
The first step is accepting that not every part of the year will feel the same. Motivation naturally rises and falls. Expecting yourself to ride and feel exactly the same year-round often leads to unnecessary guilt.
This isn’t weakness. It’s awareness.
10. Adjust Expectations, Not Identity
You don’t stop being “a cyclist” just because your riding looks different for a few weeks or months. Shorter rides, fewer sessions, or lower intensity doesn’t erase your identity. It’s simply a reflection of the season you’re in.
9. Use Light Wherever You Can
Sunlight plays a big role in mood and energy. If you can, get outside earlier in the day, ride in daylight when possible, or even take a short walk outside. Small doses of natural light can make a noticeable difference.
8. Focus on Consistency Over Intensity
When motivation is low, consistency matters more than how hard you ride. A short, easy ride done regularly often does more for mood than one big session you dread all week.
7. Make Riding Social Again
Isolation amplifies seasonal dips. Riding with others adds accountability, connection and enjoyment. That might mean a group ride, a friend, or even meeting for coffee after a short spin.
6. Create Small, Achievable Goals
Big goals can feel overwhelming when energy is low. Instead, focus on small wins: riding twice a week, trying a new route, committing to a 30-minute spin, or simply getting outside consistently.
5. Keep Moving, Even Off the Bike
Movement doesn’t have to mean riding. Strength training, walking, swimming or mobility work can keep routine and momentum going until cycling feels easier again.
4. Revisit Why You Ride
When things feel flat, reconnect with the reasons you ride that aren’t tied to performance: clearing your head, time outside, freedom, routine, community. Not every season needs to be about improvement.
3. Be Kind to Your Energy Levels
Seasonal changes can affect sleep, appetite and recovery. Pushing through exhaustion rarely improves mood. Adjust training load, prioritise sleep, and make space for recovery without guilt.
2. Fuel and Hydrate Consistently
Low energy can sometimes be a nutrition issue disguised as low motivation. Regular meals, adequate carbohydrates and proper hydration support both physical and mental wellbeing.
Skipping meals or under-fuelling can make seasonal dips feel much heavier than they need to. Simple, consistent eating habits make a big difference.
1. Remember This Season Will Pass
Feeling flat now doesn’t mean you always will. Staying gently connected to movement, routine and community helps bridge the gap until motivation naturally returns.
You don’t need to “fix” yourself. You just need to support yourself through it.
Final Thoughts
Seasonal funks aren’t a personal failure. They’re a response to changes in light, routine and environment.
Cycling can still be a powerful tool for mental wellbeing during these periods, but only when it’s approached with flexibility and kindness. Adjust expectations, stay connected, and focus on consistency rather than perfection.
Ride gently when you need to. Lean on your community. And trust that brighter days, on and off the bike, are coming.
— Chloe and the Hosking Bikes Team