Mentally getting through a century
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mentally getting through a century
HELP! I am doing my first century soon and need help with getting through it mentally. I will be by myself for most of it so how do I pass the time???? I can only sing to myself so much. I find that I get really bored after 3 to 4 hours on the bike. Any tips on passing the time?
#2
Michigan Rider
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt Clemens, MI
Posts: 381
Bikes: Pinarello, Motobecane Immortal Force, Diamondback, Fischer (German)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ride with friends and other rides to have conversation. Break it down like 4 twenty five mile rides or however many rest stops. When you know how far too the next rest stop and have a general idea of the route you will think of that more than ever getting bored.
#3
Banana seat
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 157
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Try talking to yourself. (It won't make you look any crazier to the non-cyclisti.) Seriously. I've "written" several articles during long rides, and I've been working on a novel since... uhhh... 1991
or so. I'll carry on a running banter... with myself... from about mile 30-ish through however long I stay out, usually 105 - 110 miles. That's a lot of brainstorm time for an aspiring writer to have at his disposal.
Hard part is finding time to write it all down before I forget it. Someday I'm going to go out with a digital voice recorder.
Good on yer for not giving in to tempatation and strapping on an iPod! (What's on Fred's playlist, anyway?)
or so. I'll carry on a running banter... with myself... from about mile 30-ish through however long I stay out, usually 105 - 110 miles. That's a lot of brainstorm time for an aspiring writer to have at his disposal.
Hard part is finding time to write it all down before I forget it. Someday I'm going to go out with a digital voice recorder.
Good on yer for not giving in to tempatation and strapping on an iPod! (What's on Fred's playlist, anyway?)
#4
Portland Fred
If you are bored, you are not challenging yourself enough. Ride faster -- there is nothing boring about being in pain.
Alternatively, just enjoy the scenery and the sensation of riding or work on your stroke. I can't say I've ever been bored on a bike.
Alternatively, just enjoy the scenery and the sensation of riding or work on your stroke. I can't say I've ever been bored on a bike.
#5
my nose itches
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Temple, Texas
Posts: 579
Bikes: 1986 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2013 Redline Conquest Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
HELP! I am doing my first century soon and need help with getting through it mentally. I will be by myself for most of it so how do I pass the time???? I can only sing to myself so much. I find that I get really bored after 3 to 4 hours on the bike. Any tips on passing the time?
#6
Portland Fred
I thought of another way to not be bored without pain. Do not carry anything that would be useful if you encounter any problems. No tubes, tools, pump, CO2, cell phone, money, ID, clothing to deal with temp changes, etc. Carry only the very minimum food and water for the ride not to be dangerous.
Your mind will occupy itself with the various things you aren't prepared for and the boredom problem will go away for the entire ride.
Your mind will occupy itself with the various things you aren't prepared for and the boredom problem will go away for the entire ride.
#7
**** that
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: CALI
Posts: 15,402
Mentioned: 151 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1099 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times
in
30 Posts
for super-long rides, i like to break it up into pieces. when you roll out, don't think about the next 99 miles you need to do.
think about the 20-30 to the next town, and keep your mind on that. when you get there, your next target stop will be another 30 or so miles down the road. just don't think about the total distance so much.
this helps me on super-long rides, like 400k's and up.
think about the 20-30 to the next town, and keep your mind on that. when you get there, your next target stop will be another 30 or so miles down the road. just don't think about the total distance so much.
this helps me on super-long rides, like 400k's and up.
#8
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I just let my mind wander wherever it wants to go, and if I latch onto a particularly interesting train of thought, I pursue it more thoroughly. People just don't have enough time to think these days because we're always bombarded with stimulus (TV, teacher, other people yapping, etc. etc. etc.) ... cycling gives me that time alone with my thoughts. It's great!!
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Phelan, Ca
Posts: 57
Bikes: Trek Mamba
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just let my mind wander wherever it wants to go, and if I latch onto a particularly interesting train of thought, I pursue it more thoroughly. People just don't have enough time to think these days because we're always bombarded with stimulus (TV, teacher, other people yapping, etc. etc. etc.) ... cycling gives me that time alone with my thoughts. It's great!!
Quite the zen experience.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bored on a Bike
Maybe "bored" was not the best choice of words. I am just looking for techniques that might get my mind off the discomfort, pain, tension...whatever...that I might feel after 50+ miles on a bike.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: costa mesa, ca
Posts: 719
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Watch pro's racing....they seem to be enjoying themselves.
Lighten up...it's a big deal the first time (for me at least) and, then it hardly registers on the cycling scale.
Lighten up...it's a big deal the first time (for me at least) and, then it hardly registers on the cycling scale.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 100
Bikes: Soma Extra Smooth
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I find that once I get over the hump of the first quarter the rest seems to disapear rather quickly.
Also I enjoy playing "road kill" spotting. Not to say I take any pleasure in dead animals but if I see something especially interesting that always makes for an interesting story for after the ride.
I also have a picture of my son and wife in a tiny frame that is mounted on my Bento box. There have been many a ride where I was riding all by myself and near quitting, then I looked at the picture and it makes me crack a huge smile then I try and finish the ride as quickly as possible. That way I can get home and see my family.
Otherwise I just zone out and let km's pass tell the next control.
Also I enjoy playing "road kill" spotting. Not to say I take any pleasure in dead animals but if I see something especially interesting that always makes for an interesting story for after the ride.
I also have a picture of my son and wife in a tiny frame that is mounted on my Bento box. There have been many a ride where I was riding all by myself and near quitting, then I looked at the picture and it makes me crack a huge smile then I try and finish the ride as quickly as possible. That way I can get home and see my family.
Otherwise I just zone out and let km's pass tell the next control.
#14
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
If you've gradually built up your distance in preparation for this century ... if you have perfected the fit of your bicycle ... and if you put into practice the nutrition strategy you've been experimenting with while you've been building up your distance ... you shouldn't experience discomfort, pain, tension and whatever.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#15
Senior Member
Take your time and keep positive. If you're not enjoying being outside on your bike you shouldn't be out there at all so just relax and have a good time. There probably will be moments when you wonder if you can make it but just power through them and before you know it you will be on the home stretch. I found the hardest part of my first century to be around the 30 mile mark but that could have been because it was in the middle of a 20 mile climb. If you find your mind wandering or if you're too focused on something unpleasant, just try to snap out of it and concentrate on something positive, whether it's the weather, the scenery, the fact that you're riding a century or that you're just alive in a beautiful world.
#16
Portland Fred
If this is what you're experiencing, you're riding too hard, your bike is out of adjustment, or you're psyching yourself out. You should feel like a million bucks at this point of the ride.
Enjoy being out there and talk to the animals you see. If you are a technocrat, focus on the numbers on your computer and concentrate on maintaining a steady effort.
#17
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 722 Times
in
366 Posts
I don't get bored very often but now and then I get the ipod out.
#19
Portland Fred
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm ready!
Thanks to everyone for the tips and advice! My century ride is tomorrow and I think I am just getting a little nervous and psyching myself out! I have been training hard and I do truly enjoy riding. I am looking forward to meeting new people and seeing new places. The scenery is going to be great too (even the road kill).
I will let you all know how it goes...Thanks again!!
I will let you all know how it goes...Thanks again!!
#21
Parttime Member
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 699
Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Giant Trance, Felt Breed, Marin SS MTB, Felt Pyre BMX bike, oldschool GT trials bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
im with the others talk to animals, let your mind wander aimlessly (i often find that ill have passed 10-20 miles or climbed some major hills without even realizing it at times)
other than that my favorite is on perticularly hard sections of the ride imagne youve got phil liggoet in your head...my favorite "he's gone deep into the pain cave" or "he's dancing on the pedals"
Other than that chase down other cyclists you see on the ride or chase cars when possible...i guess the best way to think is imagine your a dog...what would they do? but dont hump peoples legs...thats just rude
other than that my favorite is on perticularly hard sections of the ride imagne youve got phil liggoet in your head...my favorite "he's gone deep into the pain cave" or "he's dancing on the pedals"
Other than that chase down other cyclists you see on the ride or chase cars when possible...i guess the best way to think is imagine your a dog...what would they do? but dont hump peoples legs...thats just rude
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 362
Bikes: 91 Specialized Sirrus, 96 Gary Fischer, 08 Specialized Roubaix Elite, 2010 Specialized Tricross Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Although I've never given it much thought, I have to admit, I talk to the animals too. Luckily they don't talk back...yet!
In a polite voice I tell them to look out or stay on the side of the road. In a past life I was wildlife photographer and always talked to my subjects. Many times animals seemed to be listening...or so I thought.
In a polite voice I tell them to look out or stay on the side of the road. In a past life I was wildlife photographer and always talked to my subjects. Many times animals seemed to be listening...or so I thought.
#24
pedo viejo
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 538
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Salsa Pistola
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Of course, if the owner's nearby, then I just say Hi. Humans don't always appreciate my humor as much as their animals do...
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 732
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
HELP! I am doing my first century soon and need help with getting through it mentally. I will be by myself for most of it so how do I pass the time???? I can only sing to myself so much. I find that I get really bored after 3 to 4 hours on the bike. Any tips on passing the time?