Where do you get the most inspiration for cycling, training and racing?
These are seven sources of inspiration, there are probably a few more but this is what comes to mind at the moment.
- Riding a bike. I’m not being facetious, but, the best way to get into the mode of cycling is to actually go out and ride. The longer you are off the bike, the less appealing it can be. I’ve written about the cycling bug before. I see it in myself, other cycling friends and other readers.
- A perfectly functioning bike. I know a friend in New York who spent longer cleaning and adjusting his bike than he did riding it. But, whenever I went to his house and saw all the silver Dura Ace shining, you just wanted to get on it and ride. For the past few months, I’ve had an irritating clicking on my road bike. But, today I finally got is sorted. A bike that is efficient, clean and works perfectly is a great incentive to get out and ride. If only they could develop a self cleaning bike…
- Reading about Cyclists and cycling. I’m not talking about rough ride and Breaking the Chain (both good books in their own right, but books by real cyclists who’ve done something inspirational. My favourites are riders by Graeme Obree,The Hour by Michael Hutchinson , French Revolutions , It’s not about the bike by Lance Armstrong is inspirational, if you can forget about his associations with Micheal Ferrari.
- Video and TV. Watching cycling is a big motivating factor to getting out on the bike myself. Warning though the Tour De France can be painfully addictive. Many training sessions have been cut short because a quick “ten minute” glimpse of the Tour turned into a 3 hour – well I might as well watch it to the end session.
- Riding with Other People. Often I train on my own, but it is good if you can find a good training partner, especially one who can stretch you a bit. The other week, I was dawdling along at 15mph, when another cyclist came past. Naturally, I speeded up and together we flew back to Oxford average 20-25mph
- The Weather. British winter weather is tough. A pleasant day makes a huge difference. Now if only I lived in the Canary islands, I would probably be the world hour record holder by now..
- Something to aim for. My aim this year is the national hill climb championships in October. Targets 2008
Picture top: Me (Tejvan Pettinger, in a time trial a few years ago.)
No comments yet.