It's a new year, and you might be thinking about what your new year's resolution will be. If it's got something to do with riding and fitness, we've got 5 golden rules to make sure you stick to your resolution, and ultimately achieve your goals.
1) Make it part of your routine.
There's nothing more routine than getting up every day and going to work, so making a bike your mode of transport is the best way to integrate exercise into your routine. It also means you get your daily work out and your daily commute done all at once, taking away excuses, and creating more time for other things. Even if riding to work isn't suitable, a good routine is still key for good results. If your plan is to ride twice a week, pick two suitable days and get into the habit of twice a week, every week.
2) Make it convenient.
Having a good routine will take care of this to a degree, but simple things like riding straight out your front door instead of having to drive to a starting point can make a big difference to the amount of excuses you make (and therefore the results you can achieve). Particularly during the week, you don't want to be spending unnecessary time travelling to and from a ride if you don't need to. Find some good places to ride/groups to ride with nearby so you can spend more time actually on your bike (save the travel for the weekends when you have more time on your hands). Likewise, have your bike stored somewhere you can easily access it. If you occasionally work late, invest in some good lights, or an indoor trainer and wipe 'too dark' off your list of excuses.
3) Make it social.
When you were a kid, peer pressure was generally perceived as negative, but when it comes to fitness, use peer pressure to your advantage! Making plans with others will make you more accountable to following through (there will be repercussions if you hit snooze and leave your mate outside waiting). Likewise, riding with others will naturally mean you all push a bit harder than you would if you were left to your own devices. Social sharing is another great way to take advantage of this, with communities like Garmin Connect allowing you to share results with other users (the new Garmin Edge series computers also allow you to track your friends live on the road!). If you've purchased a bike from us before, our 'Refer a Friend' offer means we'll give you a $50 voucher if you refer someone to us that also buys a bike. You get $50 to spend on gear, and a new riding buddy. Win-win.
4) Have the right equipment.
Having the right tools for the job will ensure your workouts are not only more enjoyable, but also more effective. Bike specific clothing like bibknicks and a jersey will make you more comfortable on the bike, meaning you can ride harder for longer. Clip-in cycling shoes aren't just there to alert people to cyclists entering the cafe, they'll make your pedalling much more efficient, helping you to take on bigger distances and tougher climbs. Nutrition is also very important - you won't be knocking over any big rides without the correct hydration, and some food or gels to replenish your energy stores along the way.
5) Keep on progressing.
Progress and variety will help keep you motivated, and enjoying your time out on the bike. Sites like Bikely are great for discovering new rides and challenges to take on. GPS computers and heart rate monitors help you record and analyse all your hard work, giving you constant feedback on your progress. Upload the data to communities like Strava, and you can virtually compare and compete with other riders in your area. Likewise, an upgrade of gear can be a great motivator. It could be as simple as booking your bike into the workshop to get it running smoothly again, or upgrading to a bike that can take you faster and further than your current bike allows."
