Are you getting bored with cycling?

One of the most important aspects of cycling training is the long ride. It can be tough and boring, and if you’re getting tired of riding, this training session will be the hardest. If you are getting bored of your bicycle, try some of these tricks to get you motivated again:

• Find a new way to ride.

If you’re a roadie, head out into the forest with a mountain bike. If you’re a mountain biker, hit the road. The challenge of navigating tough technical terrain will entertain you if you’re used to the tar; and the speed of the road will be invigorating for a seasoned mountain biker.

• Enter a race.

One of the greatest ways to get yourself motivated is to enter a race. Try one that requires you to train a little harder than you ordinarily would or a race that is in a different province.

• Find a buddy.

If you routinely cycle alone, it can be easy to get bored. Find a partner, club, or team to cycle with and let the enthusiasm of the people around you motivate you to get better. Not to mention the benefits competitiveness inherent in group rides.

• Pick up a new cycling toy.

Nothing beats the feeling of a new gadget or piece of kit to make you want to get out on your bike again. Walk into your favourite store and look around – you may find even window shopping can help re-enthuse you.

• Attend a skills workshop.

Even if you aren’t a member of your local cycling club, they will often have skills workshops you can attend. These are great to spend the day socialising with like-minded people and can help you to get over a hurdle – literal or metaphorical – you might be facing in your cycling.

• Pick up running and mix it up

One great way to help you improve your cycling and get more variety from your workouts is to include another discipline. Why not try a Duathlon? Duathlons are multisport events that include a running leg, a cycling leg, and another running leg. The Discovery Duathlon Sandton is coming up – so get your entry and get yourself excited about cycling again!