Just like you, I struggle with motivation sometimes. \u00a0When the mercury hits triple digits or it's drizzling outside, it's easy to sit in front of the TV with a coffee and watch racing on TV. \u00a0But if you want to become a beast, you have to train like one. \u00a0That means having the motivation to get off your sofa and onto your saddle.<\/p>\n
Here are a few tips to help you keep your motivation levels up.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Quick Tips For Maintaining Cycling Motivation<\/h2>\n
On one of my recent climbing epics, I spent some time brainstorming with a couple of fellow riders. \u00a0Granted, there wasn't a whole lot of talking going on based on the heat, humidity and the sheer gradient, but we managed to come up with a couple of big motivational points. \u00a0What follows is a summary of what we came up with. \u00a0It'll give you a couple starting points to stick to when your cycling motivation is in the toilet.<\/p>\n
Don't just relax, actually REST:!\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Most competitive cyclists are hard-nosed Type A personalities. \u00a0Maintaining cycling motivation typically requires a personality that is driven, detail oriented and results guided. \u00a0But these Type A people don't know how to rest. \u00a0I can't tell you how many people I coach that lose their cycling motivation when they push too hard and overtrain or burn out<\/a>. \u00a0Sometimes, shutting down your brain, shutting down your body and just resting is the best thing for you.<\/p>\n Take a vacation without your bike, spend some time with your family or catch up on your favorite TV series. \u00a0Whatever you do, do something that allows you to physically and mentally rest. \u00a0You'll be a lot fresher and more motivated when you\u00a0start training and competing again.<\/p>\n Don't always compare yourself to those who beat you!<\/strong>\u00a0 This is a slow descent into madness and constantly focusing on who beat you will slowly erode your cycling motivation. \u00a0This is especially true if you're competing against people significantly stronger than you. \u00a0If you're constantly being beaten by the same people and you're not getting any closer, you need to adjust your expectations.<\/p>\n Once in a while, look at the results list beyond your position. \u00a0If you finished 10th out of 45, you beat 35 other people in your field! \u00a0That's not an easy thing to do and you should be happy with a result like that. \u00a0Remember that most people will never stand on a podium in their cycling career. \u00a0So chasing cycling motivation by hoping to beat someone who is out of your reach is a bad idea.<\/p>\n Understand that it's always an uphill battle, but it's the battle you should enjoy. \u00a0<\/strong>Just as I mentioned above, there will always be someone better, stronger and faster than you. \u00a0You will constantly be working to climb the results ladder against people with huge talent, more training time or *other* means. \u00a0This doesn't mean you can't take joy in the uphill battle.<\/p>\n Each small victory is another step up the hill. \u00a0Take your cycling motivation from those small steps up, not the slips back down.<\/p>\n Race at least once.<\/strong> \u00a0There is no purer form of competition than toeing the line at a race<\/a>. \u00a0It doesn't matter if it's a time trial, a track race, a criterium or road race. \u00a0If you're not comfortable with a truly competitive head to head event, consider registering for a Gran Fondo or other competitive event. \u00a0The amount of cycling motivation you'll get from having a big, measured goal can't be underestimated.<\/p>\n If you're not racing in a head to head format, set a goal of a specific time on the timed segments. \u00a0You can train specifically for those segments, enjoy the competition they provide and cruise at your own pace in between. \u00a0That's the perfect introduction to racing if you're looking to get started with some competition.<\/p>\n If your event involves climbing, stick with VO2 Max intervals<\/a> focused around the duration of the climbs. \u00a0When you need time trial strength, look to improving your functional threshold power. \u00a0If you need more endurance, get out and ride “kitchen sink” workouts that include a little bit of everything.<\/p>\n Quit buying stuff to make you faster.<\/strong> \u00a0I know it's tempting to open your wallet every time you see the next greatest piece of gear, but stop. \u00a0You simply can't buy speed. \u00a0Well, you\u00a0can<\/em> buy some things that will augment your current power output and speed levels. \u00a0You won't be able to buy anything that will significantly change your outcomes though.<\/p>\n That new super light bike? \u00a0It's only a couple of seconds faster uphill. \u00a0That newest aero bike with the fancy carbon aero wheels? \u00a0It's only a few seconds faster in a TT. \u00a0Buy your equipment based on the kind of riding you want to excel at. \u00a0If you're a time trialist, focus on aero benefits and if you're doing a hill climb, look for that super light bike.<\/p>\n Race clean (duh)!<\/strong>\u00a0 This shouldn't take a lot of explanation. \u00a0Ride and race clean. \u00a0You can't buy free speed (see my\u00a0last point) nor should you buy anything that illegally gives you an edge.<\/p>\n If you cheat, you suck. \u00a0Period. \u00a0Don't be that guy or girl. \u00a0Besides, dopers generally burn out after a while. \u00a0They simply can't maintain the financial cost of their drugs, nor can they deal with spending all that money each month and still sucking. \u00a0Don't…be…that…guy.<\/p>\n Variety is the spice of life.<\/strong> \u00a0The cyclists who have the highest motivation and race for the longest are the ones who love to mix it up. \u00a0Think about life in general: when you get bored with a TV show or video game, you find something else to entertain yourself with. \u00a0Riding and racing are the same way. \u00a0When you get burned out on racing crits, jump onto the track for some fun. \u00a0If track racing gets boring or predictable, try time trialing or cyclocross. \u00a0If racing itself gets boring, pick up a mountain bike<\/a> and get your mojo back.<\/p>\n You don't even have to change disciplines to switch things up. \u00a0Turn your road bike down that unpaved stretch of road you always pass over. \u00a0Instead of bypassing that winding mountain road, give that climb a try. \u00a0Who cares if you don't get a Strava PR<\/a>? \u00a0At least you'll experience something different and fun!<\/p>\n No matter what you choose, the point is, don't just go out and hammer the same old loop all the time or you'll never last long in this sport.<\/p>\n![\"Ride](\"https:\/\/tailwind-coaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Cyclingmotivation-300x225.jpeg\")
<\/a>Ride like you mean it.<\/strong> \u00a0Sure, you can go out and ride junk miles every now and then. \u00a0But for the most part, you'll need to have a goal when you go out to ride. \u00a0Spending time doing specific interval work will improve your performances and increase your cycling motivation significantly.<\/p>\n