Mental attitude when riding.

Camus

Push till you puke. :twisted:

keef66

I had just this situation last night. The rain didn't arrive but the gusting wind did. Really had to concentrate on finding a comfortable cadence and keep pushing into the headwind, and trying not to lose my nerve when being pushed sideways across the road. Payback came on the return leg when suddenly all went quiet cos and me and the gale were going in the same direction. At one point entering a village I was gaining on a car that had just triggered the 30mph flashing sign :shock:

90 minutes, 20 miles, grinning like a kid when I got back

alihisgreat

If you have to think about attitude then you already have a problem and cycling probably isn't for you.

glasgowbhoy

For me this situation only really arises in races or very fast bunch training. Hanging onto that wheel in front can be so hard but you know if you let it go and drop back, after a few seconds rest you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't go deeper for just a bit longer. There's always more in the tank than you think.
Riding in the winter can be tough but the hardest part in just getting out the door. Once your out , your out and the plan has to be carried out!

DHTT

Just dig in, you get the pay back later in the year, from a racing view I imagine riders who'll I will be racing against up the road will be getting one over on me if I don't go out and do what I set out to do. Also visualizing you're in a race works for me, pretending I'm racing against Cancellara, Gilbert etc. Its like today, I hit the deck in about 1hr 15 into my 3hr ride, had 1 more interval to do and the rest of the ride, just got on with it. I think if you're really focused and buy into your session you'll get the best ride. Either the enjoyment there and then, or the accomplishment feeling afterwards.

BowtomePhil

Me personally would just slow down. I ride to keep fit not break any world records.

Mr Will

Time Trial pace for the next couple of miles. 90% of the time I find that's enough to get my body firing properly once I return to more normal effort levels, but if it doesn't then I accept that it's one of those days and dial it back.

MartinB2444

If I've set out on a ride with the intention of pushing myself hard then it has to hurt and quiting can be too habit forming. Sometimes I'll spin a lower gear than normal on the climbs to help me recover a little if I'm really struggling.

On other rides, especially longer ones, when I'm not working at threshold levels I sometimes give myself a reality check. I don't race, and just push myself to improve my fitness with the notion that this will make cycling more enjoyable (doh!). It should be fun! I'm fortunate in that nearly all my riding is done in the Peak District, if I'm having a bad time, I will take the pressure of the pedals a little, start taking in the scenery and be grateful for being away from work. In fact I don't need to be struggling to do this. Anyone who has ridden up from Ringinglow, along the bottom of Stannage Edge, down to Ladybower, up from Hathersage past Abney to Great Hucklow, onto Litton, into Monsal Dale and up to Monsal Head and just focussed on maximising their power output needs to take a hard look at themselves

wishitwasallflat

I rode home 21 miles from work yesterday pretty much straight into a 20 mph headwind with 44 mph gusts - had to peddle to go downhill! I just concentrated on trying to keep cadence above 85 and spent most of the ride in lowest gear but reckon it was still a worthwhile workout. Mean speed 12 mph instead of usual 15.5 but at least I did it!

Tried not to remember cruising in at 6.30 that morning with the tailwind.

Helped motivation that my only alternative was to call the missus to collect me :shock:

Everytime its hard its another chance to progress - work within your limits and be tough but not stupid. I'm fat so it helps me to remember how I look naked :oops:

ShutUpLegs

wishitwasallflat wrote:

Tried not to remember cruising in at 6.30 that morning with the tailwind.

Thats always the worst part of turning into a headwind

Joeblack

I count and tell myself that races are won in the winter

Nick Cod

A friend of mine who did a solo row across the Atlantic once told me your mind will give up before your body. I try adopt the same attitude when I'm out on the bike.

I did my first single day 100 miler last year and up until then the furthest I had ridden was around the 65 mile mark. All I kept thinking was it's not a race the only thing you've got to do is the distance. I broke it down into smaller stages and had my Garmin count down to each food stop which was about every 25 to 30 miles. despite the tiredness and aches I was suffering towards the end I knew once I hit the 85 mile point I was gonna make it.

I think mental attitude has a lot to do with any sport let alone cycling. Sure we all have off days but try not to dwell on it or let it put you off going back out again next time