Strava has announced its prediction for 2020’s Quitter’s Day as Sunday 19 January – the day that most people give up on their new year’s resolutions. But wait! You’re not a quitter! You’re a die-hard cyclist! Or at least a cyclist with passion and a commitment to riding. So be a winner on January 19. Follow our tips to not only keep your New Year’s resolutions but also, make 2020 one of your best years yet!
Goal Planning: Make sure your New Year’s Cycling Resolutions are SMART. By SMART, we mean specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. SMART goals not only increase your chance of attaining your goals, but you also become a better cyclist in the process How so? By making measurable and time-bound goals, you’re introducing a level of discipline and consistency in your training to meet your objectives. Extra discipline yields better results. This is where heart rate monitors and power meters come in handy. These cycling tools offer biofeedback to better help you gauge your effort and output as it relates to your cycling goals workout by workout and month over month. Set some SMART goals and then move on to our next tip.
Goal Strategy: Define your approach. Get a game plan together of how you plan to train and race. As a point of reference, reflect on last year’s performances and think about this year’s SMART goals. Compare the two and see where can you improve. Some cyclist focuses exclusively on race day performance and evaluate results on a single day. However, take a look at how the days leading up to your event impacted the result. How was you bike nutrition? How was your sleep? Did you have a race strategy in place? Were you familiar with the logistics of the event, as well as, the course profile itself? All of these factors impact the day of results. Take time now to review and plan ahead. As part of your goal strategy, consider experimenting with new ideas, products, and approaches. As in, maybe try a new on-bike nutrition product. Experiment with different bike parts and bike components. Consider designing and refining a pre-event routine, like a race day ritual. This thoughtful process brings a fresh approach to 2020 and keeps you motivated through the winter months.
Goal Motivator: As we mentioned earlier, regular and consistent riding velds results. Don’t let poor weather force you to quit your New Year’s resolutions. Make friends with the trainer. Invest in cycling apparel and cycling accessories that allow you to ride in a variety of weather conditions. If you really can’t bear the winter months, don’t forgo your resolutions, trade saddle time for gym time to gain core strength. Another option? Focus on nutrition. Many subscribe to the idea of eating pasta and carbs for fueling training and racing. Yet, there is a growing shift in nutritional information towards a strong focus on vegetables, fruits, and lean meats as fuel. Consider experimenting with your diet and nutrition as a means for making gains in your 2020 cycling program.
Finally, remind yourself why you made your New Year’s Resolutions in the first place. There’s a reason you were compelled to reach for these goals. Write them down. Put them on a mirror or someplace where you see them often. Fuel your passion and your goals in ways that uniquely inspire you to reach for and be your best cyclist this year.
Posted by staffwriter8 
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