By Greg Conderacci
Maybe you’ve bought all the hottest new gear, spent the winter on Zwift, kicked in your high intensity interval training program, and registered for all the big rides and races.
Or maybe not.
How about trying something a little different this year? How about something that won’t cost much, will help some folks who could use it, and might get you a lot more energy – on and off the bike?
Tip: Attach Your Ride to Your Identity, Not Your Feelings
For example, life imitates long distance riding: it’s 90% mental and 10% fuel economy. We’re conditioned to begin with our feelings … act on then … and then create our identity from our actions. On the bike, it’s: “Wow. It’s hot. I’m tired. My butt is sore … I should quit … I’m a quitter.”
But what if you begin with your identity … then act … then consider your feelings? That looks like this: “I’m an ultra-cyclist … I can ride a long way … I’m tired, but that’s part of the sport.” The stronger your identity, the stronger rider you become.
Getting “Up” for 2021…
My book, Getting UP! Supercharging Your Energy available as a PDF here at Road Bike Rider and also at Amazon (https://amzn.to/2PqGmAB) can help you build a stronger, clearer identity to serve you – on the bike and off. It’s full of energy-boosting ideas – physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual (like identity) — I’ve gleaned from more than a half century of serious riding.
Like many of you, I’ve been an RBR reader for many years, gratefully picking up tips, tricks and techniques for improving my riding. Now, in these tough times, I figure it’s time to return the favor. You can download Getting UP! through RBR, here. Not only is it way cheaper there than Amazon, but all the proceeds go directly to World Bicycle Relief, helping people harness the power of bikes to build better lives.
…And Maybe Getting Faster on the Bike, Too
Do the lessons in the book work? Well, they work for me. I’m no superstar, but I’ve done pretty well, both on and off the bike. In 2019, I won my age group at the Michigan 24 (323 miles) and at the World UltraCycling Association 12-hour national championships (207). I’ve qualified for Race Across America three times, three different ways, and ridden Paris-Brest-Paris twice. In 2015, at the age of 66, I rode coast-to-coast with PACTour in just 18 days. I’m a Randonneur and have completed several 1200Ks (and one 1600K in Italy), including the Big Wild Ride in Alaska.
Mostly, though, I’m just an old guy who’s looking forward to sharing a little energy wisdom with you (like I have with hundreds of others in many energy training seminars). And it’s only five bucks. For a good cause. Why not?
Train smart. Good luck.
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