| When training to cycle a century it can be all too easy | | | | for charity preparing mentally can make a huge |
| to focus all of your efforts on your fitness training. | | | | difference by helping you battle through tough spells of |
| However most amateur riders neglect the huge | | | | the race and re-motivate you mid ride. |
| impact the mental side of endurance cycling can have | | | | A simple trick to improve your riding |
| on your performance. | | | | Visualisation is a way to remove the surprise of feeling |
| As with all other endurance events such a running a | | | | terrible three quarters through the race. Shut your |
| marathon, cycling a century will require a certain | | | | eyes and imagine you are 75 miles through your |
| amount of mental toughness. The more of this mental | | | | century cycle ride and feeling awful. You have a lack |
| strength you have the easier your ride will seem to | | | | of energy and that horrible hollow feeling you |
| you. | | | | sometimes get if you have not eaten enough. |
| If you watch any professional bike races on the | | | | Now imagine what you need to tell yourself to keep |
| television you will often here commentators lauding a | | | | going and stop thinking about the pain. Maybe it is the |
| riders ability to punish themselves. What these kind of | | | | charity you are riding for, maybe you will pretend you |
| statements mean is the rider in question appear to be | | | | are Lance Armstrong dancing up a French Alp, |
| mentally stronger then those around him. | | | | whatever it is imagine the surge of energy and |
| It is no coincidence that the vast majority of | | | | motivation it gives you. |
| professional athletes from cyclists, right through to | | | | What you need to do now is really run this through in |
| soccer players use psychiatrists to improve their | | | | your mind regularly when off the bike at home. Next |
| mental approach to their sports. | | | | time you feel fatigued mid ride try and recall those |
| While seeking professional help may be a bit over the | | | | thoughts of surging energy, renewed motivation and |
| top for the average amateur rider doing a century ride | | | | determination. |