Relaxing the Ride
I know for many of you right now, you’re stuck inside on a trainer or might have hung the bike up all together for a few weeks. But even if you’re not currently on the bike, let’s have a little discussion on relaxing the ride.
What I mean by this is having that sense of freedom and no time constraints when you’re out for your ride. Yeah, like when it can be full on all about the bike and nothing else has to cross your mind.
I don’t know about you, but if I have to be somewhere or there’s other pressing commitments on my mind…..I feel like it takes away from my focus. So if I’m out for a ride and know I have to be at an appointment soon after, it drives me nuts.
So how do I deal with this? Well, the easy answer is to make sure there is never anything seriously needing to be done for at least an hour following the ride. But that sometimes is not possible to coordinate.
When that is the case, you need to consciously use the magic from the ride to keep the peace and relaxation within you.
- Before taking off, know exactly how long you have to ride so that you can keep and eye on your computer and keep things on track.
- Maybe an out and back type ride is the best when you need to be back at a certain time. That way you can ride for half your available time, and get back with your other half.
- Once you’ve got the time under control, get into your zen bike state so that your mind can relax and concentrate on the ride.
- Breathe and focus any time your mind goes from the ride to where you need to be when you’re done.
- Make the most of your time on the bike, and like always….be sure to Enjoy Your Ride.
Nice perspective Darryl, I agree with you and really focus on that myself when I am riding. Relaxing, enjoying each pedal stroke and the scenery going by. Just be in the moment and enjoy it rather than worrying about what is, or might go, wrong.
Great perspective Darryl,
I know I have several ride loops in my hip pocket I can choose from. Depending on my schedule and the weather, I can tailor my ride to meet my obligations for the rest of the day.
What I try and focus on is that zen like state you write about. (There is a blog post idea right there!) All to often, I get anxious at the end of my ride because I know it is almost over. The key for me is to try and have a purpose for each stage of my ride. Many times, that purpose is to sole focus on the moment. Not think about the past, and not focus on the future. Easier said than done.
That helps me relax my ride. I’m only out on the bike for my health. Just like when we were kids, out riding bikes.
Daryl,
I spend most of my day at work sitting at a desk working on a computer. I perform stress analysis for NASA making sure stuff won’t break structurally. It is not a particularly high stress job, but it can have it’s moments.
Generally, I leave work ready to ride and am bursting with energy. If I am lucky and the weather is cooperating I generally can get to where I want to ride with about an hour of daylight left. Sometimes I tell myself I am going to make my ride easy, but after a few minutes I get lost in my ride only to realize that I have put the hammer down and am riding at about 95% of my Max heart rate.
On longer rides I slow down when I realize I am cranking too hard and won’t make it to the end, but eventually my mind wanders and I find myself picking up the pace.
I’m not sure why I like riding hard all the time. I blame it on endorphins. Whatever it is I must like it because I do it all the time. Only when riding with others can I keep the presence of mind to pace myself.