Once you finally cross that thresholdwhere exercise becomes a routine, theres a big whats next?
question that pops into your brain.
For many of us, simply doing the work just isnt exciting enough.
As a cyclist, I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone to keep things interesting.
Weve talked before aboutmaking workouts less boringand most of those tips apply here too.
I needed something a little different, though.
I mainly bike because I enjoy it, but enjoying exercise is just part of the battle.
You still have to keep it interesting.
The obvious step here is to find new routes and change up your location whenever you might.
Weve walked you throughcreating a running route before, and cycling works the same way.
It has always been a bit absurd to me to drive somewhere to work out.
Thats great for your average day of exercise, but it limits your options.
If youre like me and avoid driving to go work out, reconsider.
I was limiting my options for no good reason.
The fitness tracking appStrava has heatmapsthat are also great for finding popular places to run and bike.
The right gadgets can help prevent you from falling into that relaxed mindset.
For multi-sport people, our friends over atIndefinitely Wild recommend the Garmin Fenix 3.
Using software likeStrava(orwhatever you prefer) on your phone can do the same thing.
That said, its also good to leave them behind completely sometimes.
Not every bit of exercise needs to get tracked, shared on social media, or analyzed.
Sometimes, its fun to just hit the streets and go wherever your legs take you.
This way I find new routes and keep things casual occasionally.
But Ive never beenthat bike guy.
You know the one.
The guy with the spandex.
The bikes everywhere in their house.
The wide array of helmets.
But one day, I finally dove in.
I felt stupid for a while, sure, but eventually I stopped caring.
Once I embraced it as both a hobbyanda way to exercise, I found I loved it even more.
I try not to own much stuff.
Because of that, Ive always had a complicated relationship with hobbies.
Its easy accumulate a lot of junk you dont actually need, and cyclings no different.
I have cycling kits Ive only worn once.
I have a variety of socks and helmets that Ive tested and found didnt work great.
But thats the tradeoff when youre invested in a hobby.
If it is, shamelessly dive into it and dont look back.
Find Something to Train For
Some of us are competitive, and some of us arent.
For example, I recently moved from Seattle to Los Angeles.
After years on flat paths, my legs werent ready for LA.
I felt like I was training for something important.
Runners have 5Ks, 10K, half-marathons, and marathons.
Cyclists have all kinds of rides, from criteriums to century rides.
I always thought training was pretty silly.
Now, I need a little extra push.
Training, even if its for made-up events, is enough to keep me going.
Give Yourself Ridiculous Goals
Give yourself achievable goals is common advice in fitness circles of all types.
For example, my homes at the top of an incredibly steep hill.
Right now, my best time up that hill is around three minutes.
I want to eventually get it done in two minutes.
Likewise, last weekend, I decided I wanted to do 10,000 feet of climbing.
I have no idea.
I just wanted to do it.
So I went into the San Gabriel Mountains and rode until I hit 10,000 feet.
I could barely walk afterwards, but I felt great knowing Id accomplished that.
Will I ever get there?
The more absurd I can make goals, the harder Ill venture to get to them.
It seems counterintuitive, but ridiculous goals can be just as fun and useful as achievable ones.
Thats just how it works.
Its not a bad thing though.
In his bookWhat I Talk About When I Talk About Running,Haruki Murakami talks about the void.
Its that moment when youre exercising and your brain just shuts off.
In a way, its a kind of meditation.
It clears my brain and gives me a little bit of clarity.
Illustration by Jim Cooke.
