Being good at cycling requires more than just riding a bike: it's a balance of effort, strategy, and self-control. Yet, every cyclist, whether recreational, amateur, or professional, gets carried away by an impromptu challenge on the road. route. It's when the ego refuses to stay in the background. And it's most of the time totally counterproductive. Here's why.
By Guillaume Judas – Photos: depositphotos.com
You're riding normally, you overtake another cyclist, and suddenly, he grabs your wheel. You stay calm, but then a bump looms. He, dancing, gives it his all... and the cockfight is on! You feel the urge to prove to him that you're not here for fun. Does it speak to you?
On the other hand, you're riding quietly with the small chainring, looking at the scenery, a cyclist passes you, sometimes without a hello. It's stronger than you, you take his slipstream, follow his rhythm and even pass him when he seems to be struggling in the wind, pretending not to force it while you're pushing yourself to impress him. Does this still speak to you?
Or perhaps you have a scheduled outing at a set pace. You set off in a group so as not to get bored, but halfway through the course, your friends start to race each other on the hills and every false flat, and the session ends at a race pace. Are you there?
The ego in ambush
These are common situations that we all encounter on our usual training routes.. Letting yourself be challenged at every opportunity doesn't really help when you're following a well-designed training plan.
Many runners admit afterwards that they may have pushed a little too hard compared to what was planned in the training plan. There was a colleague in front" , or " a guy passed me, I wanted to follow…”. The ego, that invisible engine, can turn a quiet outing into an impromptu duel. And while remaining calm in the face of this provocation can sometimes be difficult, it is the key to your progress.
Why stay in your area?
The classic mistake is to get distracted from your main goal. You train for yourself, to progress, to build a solid foundation for the long term. Every ride should serve your training plan, not your current pride. Getting out of your target zones (heart rate, power, or pace) to “rput someone in their place” may compromise your efforts and results.
Practical advice for staying on course
Do you find it difficult to control your enthusiasm once you're on the bike? Before taking the route, take a moment to clearly define your intention, reminding yourself why you're getting on your bike: is it a recovery ride to give your legs a rest, an endurance workout to build your core, or perhaps an interval session to boost your power? Keeping this goal firmly in mind will help you stay aligned with your main purpose.
When someone pulls up to your wheel or suddenly accelerates to challenge you, resist the urge to react and let them go at their own pace, because your progress depends exclusively on your own consistency and not on the actions of someone elseA watch or power meter can become your valuable ally in maintaining your target zones, alerting you as soon as you deviate from the plan and inviting you to regain your focus wisely.
Finally, if the urge to compete tickles you, transform this energy into inner motivation by mentally noting this challenge for a dedicated outing where you can fully let go, while respecting the structure of your training program.
Of course, Following the initial plan despite temptations also helps you capitalize on the maximum energy for sessions that require you to be able to produce very high intensities.. Or for the upcoming competition(s). If you follow a coach's advice, he's already anticipated all of this. That's his job. Yours is to listen and follow the plan.
The real winner
The one who progresses is not the one who wins an impromptu duel on a hill, but the one who follows his plan with discipline.The next time a “cockfight” arises, smile to yourself, stay focused on your areas, and know that true victory is your personal growth. So, are you ready to tame your ego and go further?
Excellent, I would like some of my cycling colleagues to read this, convinced that they are progressing by constantly pushing each other!! :-)))))))))))
Do not hesitate to contact ustager then 😉
it's done 😉