Road Cycling - Preparing my body before a ride

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astonv0l
04-20-04, 06:24 AM
If this answer is on a different thread, please point me to it. This year is my year (I hope) to get my riding to where I want it. With all the help from everyone in this forum, my riding has improved ten fold thanks to everyone here (come on, get to the question :) )

I want to be really well prepared before a ride and was wondering if anyone had tried Tai Chi ?
I have read that it can control your balance, calm your mind and increase your concentration, which I need. I do need alot of discipline if I'm to get where I want to, so if anyone has tried it, let me know or, let me know of any special techniques to prepare you before a ride.

Thanks again

dexmax
04-20-04, 06:44 AM
all athletes have a sort of ritual.. I used to play tennis a lot, and believe it or not I have my rituals. Before every serve I bounce the twice, a pause, then I throw it up and hit it. In the short pause, I visualize where I want the ball to go, and how much power. I do it in both before my first and second serve(if I miss the first one ;))
These rituals calms my body, eventhough there are people watching the game, after the ritual, it feels like its just me, the ball and the opponent. My concentration is 100%. There were times that it didn't work (the ritual), those were the times I didn't enjoy..:(

Other than preparing your body, you must also prepare mentally for the ride.. I think that's what TaiChi, and other forms of meditation, is all about.

The night before a big ride, I try to visualize.. And just imagine me completing the ride, and not get dropped. On the huge climbs, I visualize me climbing with the group, even attacking. It works for me...:)