Whether you’re new to cycling or have been logging rides for years, there’s something a bit different about long-distance routes. They’re both more challenging and more rewarding. They usually wind through beautiful areas, too, adding a dose of natural wonder to the trip.
But behind the scenes, every cyclist knows that long-distance rides can be incredibly grueling. There’s usually at least one surprise in the works, along with other obstacles—from inclement weather to flat tires to good old-fashioned leg cramps. The more experienced a cyclist, the better able to handle these bumps in the road (pun intended).
But there are other ways to build up your mental fortitude for long rides. Whether you’re planning a major solo trip or want to prepare for a race, there are tips and tricks that pros use to help bolster their internal strength. Here are a few of the leading tips out there.
Boost Your Brain’s Cognitive Skill
Every athlete knows that cognitive function correlates to their performance. A strong and healthy brain is better able to make split-second decisions, pay attention for longer stretches, and remember important details. All of these things are important for cyclists embarking on long-distance rides—but how can someone develop these skills without heading into a classroom?
Let’s stick with one of the most fun examples, which is playing brainy games like Sudoku or Solitaire. If you’re looking for a more intriguing challenge, then consider a game like poker. Poker requires players to develop numerous skills, from reading others’ hands to learning how table position affects a game. If you’re really into Texas Hold’em, you can also play in tournaments to train your brain for long stints of focus.
If poker isn’t your thing, you can focus on other games to help build your cognitive skills. Just make sure the challenge is logic-based and that you’re playing for a longer stint to develop endurance.
Transform Your Mindset
Along with prepping the brain on a cognitive level, many athletes also focus on building their sense of mindfulness. Though most people associate this skill with meditation, it’s much more accessible than you might think. Mindfulness is simply aligning yourself with your goal and remaining in the present during your ride.
For long-distance routes, mindfulness can help you keep track of the rule of thirds. This tactic is about dividing your route into three sections to make each more manageable. Another important detail would be being mindful of the wind so that you can use it to your advantage rather than battling it.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
Supercharge Your Diet
Just like any major league athlete, it’s important to focus on super-charged foods and drinks before any upcoming challenge. For cyclists, that means focusing on healthy nutrition and, especially, on fortifying drinks. Many cyclists purchase boosting mixes for their water, making sure they have a bottle allocated for every hour.
While it might not seem like this has any effect on the brain, mind power is directly related to diet. Food and drink don’t only power your legs and arms and lungs, but also your brain—and this organ needs a lot of nutrients and hydration to run at optimal levels. So consider your diet a part of developing mental fortitude, literally fueling your brain.
Prep for Everything
Lastly, we’re rounding off with preparation. Many athletes work with mental coaches who help them create a vision of success. Visualization, according to many experts, literally prepares the brain to achieve a specific goal. When it comes to prepping the mind for a long-distance ride, visualizing success can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals.
Along with prepping your mind for success, it’s also a good idea to prepare for disaster in terms of equipment. As mentioned up top, it’s not uncommon for something to go wrong during a long ride. In this case, the more you prepare by thinking critically about your route and what could happen, the more successful your ride will be.
Top Photo by Tuvalum
