Monday Motivation: 10 Tips to Make Your Next Ride Amazing

From Bicycling

In every issue of Bicycling and in the stories we post on Bicyling.com, we want to bring you a new piece of advice in everything that you read. Here, our riders and contributors share their personal tips from the January/February issue that make them better on their adventures.

MICHAEL TABTABAI, Rider

The saying “Buy nice or buy twice” has served me well over the years. I choose to support brands that have great customer service. Chances are you’ll break something eventually, and companies with great crash replacement programs (like Enve and Rapha) prove their value in how well they support you after the purchase.

BLAIR BRAVERMAN, Writer

If your dog likes to pull on the leash when you walk, try bikejoring. Harness your dog to the front of your bike and let it run ahead of you as you ride. (Please don’t jury-rig; they make attachments for this.)

LAEL WILCOX, Rider

Eat like it’s your job. On long rides, consistent snacking will keep your body energized and your mind alert hours later. Don’t worry too much about what you eat, just keep eating.

GREG MIONSKE, Photographer

Don’t buy anything that you’d be embarrassed to get dropped in (or on). Nothing is worse than falling off the back in a brand new kit on a $10,000 bike.

JASON KIEFER, Rider

I’ve had endurance breakthroughs when I train while micro-dosing with CBD or THC. It relaxes the body and focuses the head.

LAURA SLAVIN, Rider

If you’re having a problem with an obstacle, whether it’s a jump or a rock garden, don’t just give up on it! Stop and try it a few times in a row. If there’s something you really want to get good at, 30 minutes of focused sessioning a day will garner huge results.

JOE LINDSEY, Writer

Clean your bike more often than you think you need to. Bikes are resilient machines, and modern drivetrains in particular are so good that they’ll work even when super dirty. But neglect speeds wear; a clean bike lasts longer, rides quieter, and you’ll spot problems when they’re small and relatively cheap.

RILEY MISSEL, Writer

If you feel like you’re about to get dropped, make yourself count 100 more pedal-strokes before quitting. Oftentimes the group is hurting as much as you are and will let up a little.

NILS ERICSON, Photographer

I try to sleep a solid eight to nine hours at night (and if I can, sneak a nap in during the day for 30 to 45 minutes), which helps in most aspects of my life-my training rides are better, I recover faster, and my brain is less sludgy. It’s tough with kids, but when I prioritize sleep, it’s so much easier to hop in the saddle.

RANDALL FRANSEN, Rider

I left weight lifting to focus on riding only, but quickly realized my biggest improvements on the bike were made in the off-season at the gym. Now I do squats, lunges, leg curls, and extensions to keep all the tendons topped up and prevent injury.

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