The power of positive thinking

I entitled this post as I did not simply to namecheck a NoMeansNo EP (and I know it's a name they took from some book or t'other) but rather because I have come to the conclusion one's thoughts, perceptions and opinions are exceptionally important when it comes to cycling.

First and foremost, it's highly important you enjoy cycling and really have to do so if you want to get all the positive elements possible from it. You can force yourself to do, not liking it, for health benefits or for the pleasure of competition but you would be much better off choosing to do something you enjoy instead. There are so many physical activities and competitive activities, it makes cycling purely for health or competition a bit of a hollow activity. Needless to say, it's the individual's choice if he or she wishes to partake in an activity simply to beat others or to get healthier.

I was reading an interview with Chris Boardman recently where he was quoted as saying he never actually enjoyed cycling and did it because he was able to beat other people and, at the time, that made him feel good. In this interview, it quoted him telling them how he hasn't been on a bicycle for years and primarily jogs for fitness and pleasure now. To me, if the interview was accurate, it's really sad to see someone (no matter how good/bad/indifferent that person was/is in ability) put so much time and effort into something which didn't create any pleasure. It also made me think Chris Boardman might not have been the best choice to co-host ITV's Tour de France coverage but that's besides the point. Now back to my original point...

Assuming one does like cycling, I feel positive thought and self-belief are of paramount importance as far as longevity and enjoyment goes. I don't mean this simply for people who are racing but also for those who (like myself) cycle purely recreationally. Using myself as an example of what I'm, so poorly, trying to say: At the start of this year, I think the longest cycle I had ever done was 64 miles. At that point in time I wouldn't have even humoured the idea of cycling over 100 miles in one go. To me, that seemed to be something far fitter cyclists than me did and was a completely unassailable figure. In reality, of course, it was my perception of that '100 miles' being so huge which made it seem impossible to me. When I actually came to do it, I discovered it was entirely plausible and within my capabilities. If I hadn't been so busy overthinking and second-guessing myself, I would probably have found I could do it quite some time ago. Unfortunately, I'm a worrier and tend to assume I can't do things rather than say 'Why not give it a go and see how it turns out?'. Thankfully, I seem to be turning that around and coaxing myself into the latter train of thought but that's another topic for another post.

Getting towards my previous points, I've additionally given much thought to some of the elder statesmen of cycling I know. For example, I've been out many times with a fellow of 78 who manages to cover somewhere around 12000 miles per annum by bicycle, including excursions over the French Alps within the last couple of years. I've wondered how he manages to keep himself going so impressively well and I'm sure it's because he's got a generally positive outlook in life and has never questioned whether or not he could do something, just gone ahead and done it.

Without meaning to cut off this rambling post rather abruptly, my conclusion is that trying things, not overthinking everything and making sure you enjoy activities you partake in will lead to a longer, healthier and vastly more fulfilling life than the other options out there. I know you could say that's completely obvious but it took me long enough to catch on and how many of us really do it?