We love cycling – it's fun, it's playful, and it's challenging! Cycling communities or cycling alone are destressers and help us relax and unwind.
Enjoying your rides more often can be a lot of fun. You can make it even more enjoyable by making sure that you always have the right tools to take care of your bike. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your rides more often:
1. Hydrate!
You will get thirsty during any ride and dehydration can lead to headaches and dizziness which can make you accident-prone! Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after every ride so that you stay hydrated throughout the ride.
2. Learn from your experience
Do your best to keep a positive attitude and don't let other people's negative comments get you down. When you compare yourself to others, you can easily get discouraged because you'll think "I'm not good enough." Instead, try looking at the data. How many times have you looked at your ride stats and been discouraged? You're not doing anything wrong. Always remind yourself that there's always room for improvement.
Who cares if someone else is climbing Mount Everest? You can do it too! And if they were able to climb it, maybe they were in better shape than you. If their bike was faster or better equipped than yours, then that doesn’t matter either; just keep going.
3. Look at your riding stats less
Instead of obsessively checking your ride data, try looking at it as a helpful tool rather than something that defines who you are and what you're capable of doing. When you look at your ride stats, remember that they don't tell the whole story. If you have a bad day or bad weather, it doesn't mean your ride was bad. It might even make it more interesting! Instead of focusing on what's happening right now, focus on how things could be better in the future!
4. Avoid frustrating routes
When you're looking for a new ride, avoid going on boring routes that aren't challenging enough for you. Sometimes our rides can feel like we're just going around in circles—but don't let them set you up for failure! Instead of focusing on how long it took us to go around this little loop or circle, try focusing on how much fun we had while doing it!
Don’t get fixated on how far away your next stop is because this will only make things worse. Instead, just focus on how far you have left until your next pit stop and try not to think about how much longer this ride will take than the last one did.
5. Reframe how you look at climbs
Instead of seeing them as "the hardest thing I've ever done," think about them as an opportunity for growth—that's all they are! If you find yourself getting frustrated during climbs, try reframing how you look at the climbs.
6. Take a break! Motivation is just ahead
This will help reset your mindset and give you some time to recharge so that when it's time to do something new again, even better things can happen this time around!
Tips to have a safe ride on your bike
1. Wear a helmet! – Your head is precious, and it's worth protecting.
2. Don't wear headphones—They make you look like a zombie, which is not cool in the slightest.
3. Make sure your bike is in good working order—A small issue like an uncomfortable saddle or loose pedal could ruin your day if it happens while you're cycling down the street.
4. Dooring – Make sure there is enough room for people who want to pass by on foot, but also so that vehicles can enter and exit easily from both sides of the road without having to change lanes or wait for traffic.
Cycling is a great way to get outdoors and explore your surroundings. There are many different routes you can take, and each one offers a different experience. Whether you're looking for a challenging workout or just a leisurely ride, cycling life is the perfect way to get moving. So grab your bike and hit the open road! Adventure awaits.
About Spokeherd
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, Spokeherd welcomes you to the cycling community. Here, you'll find like-minded people who share your passion for cycling. Whether you're looking for advice on the best routes, tips on how to improve your cycling performance, or just want to chat about all things bikes, you'll find it here.
