Cycling has impacted my life in myriad ways, but most importantly, cycling has taught me how to be present. Mindfulness is a common refrain these days, and there are any number of apps or shamans out there willing to help guide you on a path to better mindfulness - and I'm sure many of them are quite good. For me though, nothing has had quite the same impact on my ability to step outside the noise of my mind and be totally aware of my being, surroundings, and mental state as cycling. I often think of the John Denver line: "His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand...The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake" - I don't know that John was a big cyclist, but that line could embody any of my longer training rides.
The key goal of mindfulness is to achieve a state of awareness of your mind and body in your current surroundings. The first time I really remember achieving this level of zen was on the bike. The feeling of letting my thoughts completely evaporate and just feeling the wind across my face, my connection to the pedals, and the road beneath my wheels was intoxicating. The reasons that I ride are numerous: the health benefits, I'm good at it :), the feeling of accomplishment when you get a PR on a serious climb or just crush a local segment; but the reason I always lace up my shoes and throw a leg over my ridiculously high saddle (I'm a tall guy) is that feeling of complete oneness with myself and my world.
This blog is meant to share the benefits of bike commuting and riding in general, but it also serves as an educational guide for those just getting into riding. If you haven't reached this moment of zen yet, don't fear, it's probably just around the corner! Here are some quick tips that have helped me get to a place of inner peace - which you're going to want on your next hundred mile ride.
1) Don't force it - the more that you try to meditate, the more you're working too hard. Instead, try to gently nudge your mind back to where you are at present as your thoughts start to wander. Don't fight it, if you start thinking about work that's fine - just gently nudge yourself back to feeling your breathing and watching the road ahead (as with all of this the idea is not to be asleep at the handlebars...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE always pay attention to the road and your surroundings, that's actually a huge part of this!)
2) Focus on your breathing - this is probably the most important part. Not only will better breathing help your riding (your HR monitor will thank you), but focusing on your breathing is the easiest way to help your mind from wandering. This works best on serious climbs IMO - head to your local measuring stick climb and think about active breathing - breathing from the stomach and actively pushing the air out. This cycle will center your body and your mind, and don't be surprised if you start pushing the watts!
3) Relax and take notes - I stole that one from a rap song :). Honestly keeping a journal entry of your rides, training, and where you were from a headspace is invaluable. You'll start to better understand what might trigger your tougher rides, what thoughts you have trouble clearing from your head, and what you did right on the days that you were flying.
Feel free to comment below with some of your own experiences/tips for achieving better mindfulness, and as always, have fun and be safe out there!
