The Love of Cycling: What Motivates You?
Imagine, over the past few months your cycling hobby has evolved into a complete obsession. So much so, that you find yourself competing in your first amateur race. When the starting bell sounds, you kick it into gear and start riding, the pavement disappearing beneath you. You keep pace with the others fairly well, but as the finish line approaches, you notice one rider after another pass you up. Although you finished within the target time, you cannot help but wonder what seemed to have provided those riders with a last-minute boost.
If you knew there were options to improve your motivation, personal time, or make your ride more comfortable you would implement them, wouldn’t you? If you are a maniac about sports like we are, you certainly would.
The Psychology of Marginal Gains: Improving Your Ride
In 2018, James Clear, author and specialist on human behavior, wrote the book entitled, “Atomic Habits,” wherein he mentions the concept of Marginal Gains. To illustrate, he gives an example of the British Cycling team and their inability to win a Tour de France in over 110 years. That was not until they hired a new performance director, Dave Brailsford, that true winning strategies started to emerge. Brailsford started implementing minor changes to the team, an approach called, “Marginal Gains.” This included heated shorts to control muscle temperature, enhanced sleep strategies, and special massage gels.
Consider how beneficial it would be to make seemingly imperceptible changes such as new gear and techniques that individually, seem small, yet together chip away at the precious seconds that could mean the difference between triumph and defeat. Not only that, consider what each enhancement did to improve the cyclists’ mental game. With all these careful changes, they just had to win, and that they did.
Get Motivated and Stay Motivated
The cycling enthusiast knows that riding is not just a mere hobby; it is a full-on passion. There is nothing quite like cutting through the racing winds, watching the pavement zoom by, or taking the road less traveled. It gets the blood flowing in a way that is unlike any other activity or exercise. There is excitement and intense satisfaction that comes with improving one’s game and comfort.
Get the Right Gear
The right gear offers peace of mind and comfort, significant factors for your mental game. The Maniac Garage has got you covered so you can make marginal gains by giving special attention to accessories. Those interested in taking their hobby to the next level should invest in cycling face masks, a specialized jumpsuit, and cycling gloves. These options help eliminate the factor of discomfort that detracts from one’s focus.
- Motocross Bike Gloves – Protect your hands from the elements while enhancing grip from factors such as sweat and moisture. Breathable fabric means you can ride in any weather from hot and sunny, to cold and damp. Wick moisture away from the skin and avoid the burn of the sun. Light padding means enhanced comfort and protection from grip fatigue.
- Unisex Cycling Face Masks – Say goodbye to dirt, dust, and bugs that threaten a smooth ride. The thin layer of protection is breathable and lightweight. This protection is excellent for cool seasons as well as keeping the lungs warm is a must in biting temperatures.
- Women's Cycling Jumpsuit – Part of the winning strategy for the British Cycling team involved paying careful attention to the cyclists’ attire. Make marginal gains to your ride with one of our many breathable and stretchy designs. Short sleeves and short jumpsuits keep you riding in the summer while full-coverage options keep you riding in the cooler months.
Continue to improve your game through marginal gains and see how your motivation and love for the art of cycling soars to levels you didn't even know they could reach. Contact us for any questions related to finding the perfect gear for you.
Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits &; Break Bad Ones. Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House.