Psychology and it's impact on cycling..
05-29-17, 08:39 AM
#26
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Happily we have advanced beyond psychology. Back in 2013 people even thought it was a "science." Man .... people were so primitive.
05-29-17, 09:00 AM
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The hill will try to psych you by looming above you, so give it a dose of its own medicine. Take the worst that it gives at a steady pace, and look for weaknesses to attack not at the top. At some point the hill will be demoralized, knowing that its cheap psychout doesn't work and can easily be defeated.
05-29-17, 09:25 AM
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05-29-17, 05:37 PM
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Overcoming hills
If I find that a hill is causing me to doubt myself I put a smile on my face and keep it there.
What I am about to explain is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) but in B-CT approach. That is, the bevahiour alters the cognition.
The smile on my face stays there regardless of what my mind initially argues against it. like "don't be an idiot smiling while struggling!"
After a while the mind stop being critical and starts looking for things to match the smile on my face. Even laughing at the thought of being insane.
Usually I find reasons for being grateful.
Then climbing the hill suddenly becomes not only enjoyable but empowering too.
If I find that a hill is causing me to doubt myself I put a smile on my face and keep it there.
What I am about to explain is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) but in B-CT approach. That is, the bevahiour alters the cognition.
The smile on my face stays there regardless of what my mind initially argues against it. like "don't be an idiot smiling while struggling!"
After a while the mind stop being critical and starts looking for things to match the smile on my face. Even laughing at the thought of being insane.
Usually I find reasons for being grateful.
Then climbing the hill suddenly becomes not only enjoyable but empowering too.
05-29-17, 05:47 PM
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I thought about improving myself ... i weighed it carefully ... and bought a lighter bike.
05-29-17, 06:47 PM
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I think there are more demented folks on BF than there were four years ago. I sometimes suspect they are being recruited....
05-29-17, 08:13 PM
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Here is a story I often think about before a race. It is about Rik Van Steenbergen and Fausto Coppi during the 1952 Paris-Roubaix.
'...Van Steenbergen had won Paris-Roubaix in 1948, and Coppi two years later. Both knew each other well by this time, both had beaten the other, and this time each intended to win.
On entering the cobbled section, Coppi attacked with Ferdi Kubler. Van Steenbergen, farther back in the group, didn't even see the move. Once he found out he had little time to rectify matters. The Italian's reputation for never being caught was well known to the Belgian. Rik seized a chance and exploded off the front, hurtling over the cobbles while weaving from one side of the road to the other in search of the best line. He could see Coppi and Kubler from the dust they picked up. How could Rik hope to bring back two of the best time trialists in the world?
Rik recounted, "It took everything I had, and then some, to get up to them. When I finally caught them Coppi gave me the blackest look and attacked. I hadn't recuperated from the chase and I honestly don't know how I held onto him. I thought my heart was going to burst. Coppi accelerated again and again and Kubler was dropped. One more attack and I couldn't have held him either, but then I realized that even the championissimo was beginning to tire. At the moment when I was about to let him go, he eased up. Once on the track in Roubaix he didn't really contest the sprint." ' - Owen Mulholland (2006). Cycling's Golden Age: heroes of the postwar era, 1946-1967. Velo Press Books (pp.40-42)
Rik van Steenbergen won the race.
'...Van Steenbergen had won Paris-Roubaix in 1948, and Coppi two years later. Both knew each other well by this time, both had beaten the other, and this time each intended to win.
On entering the cobbled section, Coppi attacked with Ferdi Kubler. Van Steenbergen, farther back in the group, didn't even see the move. Once he found out he had little time to rectify matters. The Italian's reputation for never being caught was well known to the Belgian. Rik seized a chance and exploded off the front, hurtling over the cobbles while weaving from one side of the road to the other in search of the best line. He could see Coppi and Kubler from the dust they picked up. How could Rik hope to bring back two of the best time trialists in the world?
Rik recounted, "It took everything I had, and then some, to get up to them. When I finally caught them Coppi gave me the blackest look and attacked. I hadn't recuperated from the chase and I honestly don't know how I held onto him. I thought my heart was going to burst. Coppi accelerated again and again and Kubler was dropped. One more attack and I couldn't have held him either, but then I realized that even the championissimo was beginning to tire. At the moment when I was about to let him go, he eased up. Once on the track in Roubaix he didn't really contest the sprint." ' - Owen Mulholland (2006). Cycling's Golden Age: heroes of the postwar era, 1946-1967. Velo Press Books (pp.40-42)
Rik van Steenbergen won the race.
05-29-17, 08:53 PM
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05-29-17, 08:56 PM
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05-29-17, 09:19 PM
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I know this may seem "tasteless" now days, but I grew up dreaming of one day being like Armstrong. I rode mountain my whole childhood and always had him in mind. Since I've recently gotten into road after a very long break from riding, I still picture Lance riding next to me. I don't know what it is, but I can sprint endlessly up hills and absolutely dust my buddies who don't seem to have the same inspiration, I'm talking gaining a minute on one hill not a couple seconds.
It may be fitness, or genetics, but it feels psychological because I know I am in pain, but I just don't let it stop me like they do.
It may be fitness, or genetics, but it feels psychological because I know I am in pain, but I just don't let it stop me like they do.
For what it's worth, Armstrong was thrilling to watch and the lone reason I tuned into the Tour. This was during a period when my sports card was full with golf, tennis, and equestrian events. Nevertheless, I loved watching him. I didn't ride back then but I haven't watched an event since his demise. You're not alone.
I used to get the same head buzz when walking. Because only an oddball finds solace on a track when the temperature is less than 15 degrees. But even so, I never felt it. Not only due to the cold gear but the knowing glances that were exchanged with other troopers braving the cold weather to get our workout in. My return leg was always faster and the adrenaline was flowing hard. The same thing happens when I'm on the tee. I don't intentional say, "what would Tiger do?" but I'm drawing from my understanding of the game and the things I've learned through his play. And if I'm a better golfer as a result, that's even better.
I think the same is true for you too. Ride on.
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05-29-17, 10:45 PM
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i normally listen to audiobooks at 2x speed and i switched to listening to music that pumps me up. i notice i'm about 1mph faster. i'm sure part of it is i'm not as distracted and concentrating on listening to my book but eye of the tiger and stuff like that amps me up a little definitely has a psychological effect.
05-30-17, 02:54 AM
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i normally listen to audiobooks at 2x speed and i switched to listening to music that pumps me up. i notice i'm about 1mph faster. i'm sure part of it is i'm not as distracted and concentrating on listening to my book but eye of the tiger and stuff like that amps me up a little definitely has a psychological effect.
06-18-17, 02:23 AM
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"I don't like to vegetate in the peloton, abandoning to others the position of command. Nothing good can come from this". - Eddie Merckx
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