General Cycling Discussion - What is your motivation?

What do you think about when you are riding? What mental strategies and procedures do you use to help you in hillclimbs, trials etc. Be very interesting to find out what some people actually have going through their minds when trying to achieve their best.

"Did I leave the oven on?"

JK ;)

Most of the time it goes something like this:
Gotta go faster...
Gotta get stronger...
Gotta make the RIT hockey team...
Gotta show up my high school hockey coach that sat me on the bench for 4 years and therefore missed out on one of the best goalies The Dover High Greenwave would had ever seen...
Gotta get back at him for making the last 4 winters a living hell for me...

You could say I'm a bit bitter. ;)

-Middi-zon

Or ambitious.. but having ambition is a key to success :) Sounds like you have several achievable goals. Good luck!

My motivation is weight-loss and better cardiovascular health. In other words; I don't ride to get from Point A to Point B. I ride to get from 215 to 165.

I also want to look good in my cycling shorts. :)

When I'm going up a steep hill, I'm focusing all of my thoughts on not having a heart attack. When descending, same thing.

1. Looking good
2. Make life easier, spending less energy for any daily activites
3. Go faster
4. My passion for greater fitness
5. Cross-training for running
6. Have healthier traits that can be passed on to my descendants
7. Tour de France

1. I am getting fitter . . . I am getting fitter . . . I am getting fitter. . . (well, I sure hope I am - otherwise - :( )

2. I am losing some weight . . . I am losing some weight . . . I am losing some weight . . . (well, I sure hope I am - otherwise - :( )

3. Aren't the flowers beautiful, isn't the scenery great, don't the birds sound glorious?

4. I will get back. I will get back. I will get back (well, I always have so far). :D

5. Once more, I went further than I had planned. Wonder why? Must like this bicycling thing, I guess. :thumbup:

Well I'm a city boy so if I venture to far to the country my thoughts get real strange:
1. Gotta get outta here the cows smell funny.
2. Did that rock just move, oh that's a turtle.
3. I want to live longer and be healthier, I'm only 21 but my goal is to be like the guy in the bannana comercial still swimming when I'm 105.
4. I can't wait to go back to high school and show all my ex's what they missed out on when everyone else has gotten fat.
5. I'm also going to be a fireman and I want to be able to crush the competition in the training academy.

I ride because it makes me feel good. After. To quote Bob Roll, I make myself ,”Suffer like an animal” when I ride.

Am I the only one who hears Phil saying something to the effect, “How does he do it? He’s been out alone for the last 40 miles. Look at how the big man just dances on the pedals?…”

Well, now its to get my cholesterol count back down under 200, and watch the weight fall off.

"I'm doing this faster than I did last time"

or, if I'm not,

"I have to do this faster than I did last time"

"This is easier than it was last time"

1. never stop pedaling!
2. always be going to fast to stop and smell the roses
3. but note that the roses are there :)
4. it is getting easier!
5. just look at this sexy cycling tan!

-Speed
-outdoors
-speed in the outdoors
-kicking @ss (at races)
-BIKING RULES!

When im on a hill climb i tell myself to keep pushing and to get to the top(or end) your body can do a lot more than your mind somtimes so you have to tell it to keep going.

Originally posted by Michael Marshal
Am I the only one who hears Phil saying something to the effect, “How does he do it? He’s been out alone for the last 40 miles. Look at how the big man just dances on the pedals?…”

I thought I was the only one who thought that? ;)


I personally take the negative things that are going on in my life and leave them on the road. I take the anger out on the road! It's works great! :D

Oh! I do love the sunsets as well! :p

Catching the hot rollerbladers in bikini's going the opposite way on my return trip.

My motivation to cycle is to increase my overall fitness and feel better, etc...

That said, when riding I'm not really sure that I think about anything. I might make a goal to try to beat my personal best before the ride, but won't really think about it during the actual ride. Seems like I just get into the zen of it and the miles just fly by.

For me, cycling is not just a physical activity but also a way to shut off the everyday stresses of life. A way refresh myself mentally and relieve some bulid up stress.

It has often happend that a little while after a ride the answer to a problem, or question, that I've been mulling will just seem to present itself to me.

I have two types of motivation. One motivation to plan the rides, to get into the sport, etc. The other is during the ride.

During the ride is easy my motivation is to complete my goal. To finish the ride. I may not finish as fast as I want but I will finish. I may have to chant or run a song though my head on repeat but I will finish.

That is why I mostly focus on distance and difficulty. I am not good at speed goals.

The other hand is the planning and getting into it part. My motivation there is more complex. To do a sport well I have to make it my primary non-work focus. This is the only way I get excercise as I am bad at going to gyms as I can't focus. So I plan trips, I plot routes, I build elevation profiles with my GPS. I then start logging everything in a book. Basically I go a little nuts getting into a sport for real. But all this focus is what gets me on the road planning rides I can do and enjoy. Cycling is replacing rock climbing for me as I have lost my partner (to a woman in Bend).

In that regard cycling is working great I have already lost two pounds by focusing on cycling. It is easier for me to ride 150 miles a week than to get to the climbing gym 4 times a week.
-Duncan

For me, cycling is not just a physical activity but also a way to shut off the everyday stresses of life. A way refresh myself mentally and relieve some bulid up stress.

This is true for me as well. It is actually one of the main purposes of my interest in cycling. That and just in general quality of life.
-Duncan

One motivation for me when riding on city streets is "I have to beat these cars." Sometimes I do, and that is one sweet feeling.

Originally posted by Michael Marshal


Am I the only one who hears Phil saying something to the effect, “How does he do it? He’s been out alone for the last 40 miles. Look at how the big man just dances on the pedals?…”

Actually, what I hear is Phil saying "Caloso comes down the finishing straight like a grand prix motorcar!" :)

I find myself asking myself things like: I wonder how long it would take me to ride to there? I wonder what's on the other side of that hill? I wonder if I can catch that guy a quarter mile up the road?

And I think about future things like: I wonder if I can attach a Burley trailer to this bike? I wonder if my future kids will love their bikes as much as I do?

My main motivation for cycling is to be able to talk about something on this forum.

:)

29

I like to listen to music while cycling, it can make steep hills go by very quickly.

For me it's mostly about psychological positives, and at times, mental distraction from the discomfort.

I love a prolonged climb - like up a mountain pass. It's a challenge and it is hard, and most people woundn't even consider doing it. That appeals to me.

If on a climb I really start laboring I focus on breathing and good exhalation, pedal stroke, and keeping the cadence up. And my thought process is to "just keep going baby!" I'll think stuff like "The descent from this climb is going to be awesome" or "I'm already half way there" that sort of thing. Or if it's into a headwind I think "this wind will be sweet on the way back."

Then at times when I'm not feeling so great and really want to stop, what works for me is to distract myself from the discomfort by letting my mind wander from the ride to something totally unrelated. When my mind returns to the ride I realize that I'm still motoring along and my condition is not so bad afterall - gives me a positive boost.

Its about getting from 254 to 198 in weight.
Its about getting from 321 to 115 in blood sugar.
Its about getting from 270 to 185 in cholesterol.
Its about getting from 100 to 70 in resting bpm.
Its about living long enough to see if my son will have children.
Its about stress relief that comes from even the shortest ride.
Its about knowing I can repair this sucker with the tools I carry on me anywhere.
Its about seeing my community up close.
Its about seeing happy people at 15mph instead of 70mph.
Its about being around healthy people.
Its about looking at transportation issues from a different perspective.
Its about not driving a 8mpg vehicle to the gym across town.
Its about supporting my LBS.
Its about having the wind in my face without the stupidness of having to spend $25K on a trendy motorcycle.
Its about time to think.
Its about encountering weather and nature on their terms.
Its about doing the right thing.
Its about pumping those crazy legs!

My motivation is that I always feel better when I am riding regulary. The fact that I am losing weight, I am more healthy, I am less stressed, that things look better at 20 mph than at 70 mph, I ride to places that I never went in a car, and not damaging the environment, are all just bonuses.

I ride because it is fun!

Steve

-Going up hills all I think is smooth and steady, dont rock, power up
-on the flats, lets go to the big ring, just cruisin just cruisin
-downhills, come on new max speed
-all the time, make everyone in cars look at me and think 'wow, wish I could do that'
-all the time, think of the self satisfaction that by the time I come home and eat breakfast Ive cycled 30+miles and most others are asleep or just sitting down to a desk

Originally posted by JoeTown244GL

Its about seeing happy people at 15mph instead of 70mph.


And where exactly are these mythical "happy people"?


;)

Originally posted by Aggressor
What do you think about when you are riding? What mental strategies and procedures do you use to help you in hillclimbs, trials etc. Be very interesting to find out what some people actually have going through their minds when trying to achieve their best.




hmmmm.

for a fast decent its usually

"i can go faster.. i've handled more technical stuff"

that tends to be followed up by "OWW!!!!" but thats irrelevant >=)


on big climbs.. its "I've done worse.. this is nothing!"


usually its a blatent lie to myself, but hey.. it gets me up there.


when i start to get reallllllly tired out.. i take a swig of powerade, look ahead a little ways and say "i'm going to make it to that point"

once i get there.. i pick another point not to far away "i'm going to make it to that point"

as i keep going.. the points get closer and easier to reach, so i just keep more coming.

then i have the attitude of "well i did that last one.. and the next point is even closer! so i can do that easily!"

Originally posted by Brennan
One motivation for me when riding on city streets is "I have to beat these cars." Sometimes I do, and that is one sweet feeling.




>=)



its fun to see cars struggling to pass you on a 45MPH road:beer:

My motivation in this heat is knowing that when I get home, I can jump into the pool to cool off.

Originally posted by MsVicki
My motivation in this heat is knowing that when I get home, I can jump into the pool to cool off.

Isnt that just the best feeling in the world?

To crush your enemies.
To see them driven before you.
To hear the lamentations of their women.

:crash:

Originally posted by Aggressor
Isnt that just the best feeling in the world?

Yes! :)

It's amazing to me the amount of useless data I can generate in my mind on a 80 minute ride.
Up until 2 months ago I used to wear a radio on every ride.
Since then the ride has become a peaceful and quiet time for thinking, meditating and getting into all that is going on around me.
The bike, the road, the cars, what's up ahead, what's behind, my spinning, my cadence, my speed, my heart rate, my breathing, up shift, down shift, stones, glass, shift hand position, relax elbows, my ass, blow my nose, take a drink...

Originally posted by MKRG
To crush your enemies.
To see them driven before you.
To hear the lamentations of their women.

:crash:

I like your thoughts :)

everytime i work out, i keep thinking: "DAMNNNNNN.....When i get through with this, im gonna be damn hot!"

will liv longer, longer, unless hit by freak accident

It varies. Sometimes it's admiring the cute a$$ of the female cyclist ahead of me on our Saturday club rides. :) Other times it's "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Last Sunday it was "I am not not going to let this idiot in the pickup truck pass me!" on a twisty descent where I was already having to slow down for the two cars in front of me. :mad:

Sometimes I ride to blow off the day's/ week's/ year's stress. Sometimes I ride to admire the season's scenery. Sometimes I ride to get rid of my PMS bloats. But mostly I ride to be able to eat more. :D

Originally posted by bezzo

That said, when riding I'm not really sure that I think about anything. I might make a goal to try to beat my personal best before the ride, but won't really think about it during the actual ride. Seems like I just get into the zen of it and the miles just fly by.

For me, cycling is not just a physical activity but also a way to shut off the everyday stresses of life. A way refresh myself mentally and relieve some bulid up stress.

It has often happend that a little while after a ride the answer to a problem, or question, that I've been mulling will just seem to present itself to me.

I agree, you summed up most of my motivations in a nutshell, save a couple.

To me, cycling feels kind of like a race against aging and death in a way. We will all die someday, that is a given, but in a way cycling extends ones life by making the elder years more useful as if one keeps in shape, instead of going to the doctors office all the time one gets to go cycling, walking or traveling instead.

That and i'm trying to undo 15 years of smoking, oh, and reclaim my youth. I was an avid cyclist (mainly road riding, some day touring & charity rides too.) in my early teens, and doing all the cycling stuff again in a way makes me feel as if I haven't grown up.

Also, as another poster said, it just feels damn good. Both the cycling itself, and the increased lung capacity and the muscles recoverign after a hard ride and feeling stronger and more taut.

peas,

Jester

This hurts less than moshing*

*excluding moments when I impact upon things

Having an extremely sarcastic, sadistic riding partner is all the motivation I need right now!! :D

First and Foremost, you should NEVER turn on your local country & western station prior to a either a long ride or a long training rider. If you pick up conway twitty, randy travis, garth brooks et al (even george jones ) you will be mentally 'locked' into playing back that song for the first two hours. If it's a long, slow, painful dirge then your ride will be, well, long/slow/painful.

jerry lee lewis, on the other hand, is perfectly acceptable. Johnny Cash too - right pace and right attidue.

If I'm on a hill climb I break down that hill into smaller chunks. usually a road sign or a tree is a good visual to get me to that interim goal and then, visually, I move up the road and ride to the next incremental goal

My motivation tends to be...

"Its just a hill, I can do it!" or "Its just a little sun, I can bare it!"

Watching weight drop....even if it isn't as quick as I'd like.

Most of all....is when I realize my speed is better than it used to be; distances that seemed long once now seem like "baby rides"; Hills that seemed hard once seem easier and easier each time. :)

Seeing cagers stuck in traffic, "Ha ha! Suckers."

I usually have a song floating around in my head that takes turns with other random thoughts. 'Bicycle Race' by Queen gets regular rotation, it's just a nice light-hearted tune. Sometimes I end up singing out loud. Then I think how silly that must look (not to mention how bad it must sound) and I tell myself to shut up. Then I realise that I just told myself to shut up out loud, and think how silly that must look and I start laughing, call myself a dork or something and eventually start singing again. This ends up repeating itself in some form or another for the duration of the ride. So, I find myself riding my bike, singing, laughing, and talking to myself... It's perfect, no place I'd rather be.

Just to be living life again.

Sometimes its how I have now lost more than twice what my bike weighs. Sometimes it's to catch the next rider, sometimes its to not get caught....but more and more its dancing on those pedals!!!! What a rush.

You know what, I have never really though on what modivated me. I just have the passion to ride. Perhaps when I am climbing a hill, I just grin and say " Come here you stupid ass hill!!". I guess I just have a will to ride and become better and better and be in a good shape.

My motivation is to get the right balance between working out and overdoing it, in other words 'train don't strain'. If I find myself getting too tired, or start to lose form, I'll back of a bit until I feel in the zone again.

Seeing cagers stuck in traffic, "Ha ha! Suckers."

I usually have a song floating around in my head that takes turns with other random thoughts. 'Bicycle Race' by Queen gets regular rotation, it's just a nice light-hearted tune.

I keep a picture of the poster that came with that album in my mind while cycling.