What does it take for the older biker to ride everyday?
Biking to work - obviously the best way, since you have to
rely on the bike to get to work, but how about the
weekends, holidays?
Find your daily optimum - not too much mileage that you
can't do the same workout or more the next day.
Find your emotional optimum - almost a bigger hurdle than
conditioning is the mental aspect. How not to get 'stale'.
Gotta keep the mileage reasonable.
Keep the injuries low - another big 'streak stopper' is
getting injured. Good rest, good nutrition might be key.
Goal setting - Be careful of setting too tough a goal, or
too short term. Think in terms of 6 months, but have a goal
- maybe an easy race, but keeping in the middle of the pack.
Rehabbing an nagging injury. One thing that can motivate
is if you hve a slight injury and need to rehab and build
muscle; alternately, rehabbing being overweight. Checking
the mirror/bathroom scale everyday can help get you out
on the bike.
Having an alternate for bad weather. Obviously one needs to
be prepared to layer and garb up for rain and cold weather,
but it's helpful to have a set of rollers or at least a
stationary bike for fall back if you just can't get outside
due to weather.
Logging your progress. Keeping that log is one thing that
got me out there on days when I didn't much 'feel like it'.
Deciding to bike. Keep the 'decision' to bike set _after_
you've started the ride. IOW, put on your biking gear as a
ritual, and say 'I'm not feeling that great, but I'll gear
up and get on the bike, and if I don't feel that great, I'll
do half the route'. Usually after you get out there, the
fatigue or bad feel goes and you have a pretty good ride.
A fighting attitude. Even if you have some negative
emotional or physical situation, you have to have an
'attitude' - nothing is gonna keep me from doing my
streak, dammit!
Well that's what's gotten me throught the last 8-9 months,
and I hope, will keep me going.
Any others that have helped you?
-B