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