Most of us are aware of the health benefits associated with cycling, but what many of us don’t realize that sport has a crucial impact on the confidence we build. This is true for many of us who played sports growing up. I find that the majority of my cycling friends where athletic in their youth, as was I, and were able to build some pretty healthy life skills such as team work, organization, leadership, and confidence. Overcoming obstacles and getting back up in the face of setbacks is another benefit we are also able to chalk up as kids that makes our cycling life a steady cultivation of grit.
In cycling, we often hear that we have to “see it, to be it” and for many women, seeing ourselves in cycling doesn’t translate into becoming a career athlete. Training, getting up early, and doing the work are skills that actually are applicable to a profession or sport you choose. While we may just be riding our bikes, lessons of self-assurance and confidence are always being applied in our lives elsewhere.
Cycling is a valuable way for women to feel positive about their bodies and abilities. While the cycling media can do more to portray different bodies and abilities, we can also do more to change the way we think and talk about our bodies too. But self positivity reflection goes way beyond the body and is also a training of the mind.
There’s no question that self-confidence plays a key role in how well we perform on our bikes and in our lives. So what can we do to start building a solid foundation of self-confidence as cyclists? Plenty but I find that regularly practicing these tips has helped me find my confidence and say “Damn I feel good”.
TRAIN MYSELF TO DO BETTER
The feeling of physical well-being can have a significant influence on boosting self-confidence out on the bike. One thing I work at is improving my skills correctly, improving strength, speed and stamina. Not only will it build self-confidence as my skill and body-confidence grows, but it’ll help me to be better out on the bike. If you’ve done your homework and trained well you have a right to feel confident. Confidence comes from knowing you’ve trained and mastered your goals.
REMIND MYSELF OF #1
If I partake in a race, ride, or event, I find it useful to remind myself of everything that I’ve done to prepare. Sometimes when under pressure about the ride ahead I get a little nervous to think clearly and that can cloud my judgement on my ability to conquer whatever. I try not to forget the training I’ve done by regularly reminding myself of what I’ve done in my training for that event and that I’ve done everything possible to be ready.
NOT COMPARE MYSELF WITH OTHERS
One of the biggest confidence drains I know is to compare myself with others, with their size, their equipment, skill level, training habits, records etc. You’ll always find athletes who actually are or who you think are better than you. This is not a useful pre-performance ritual. Focus on YOU. Stay inside yourself. Play your OWN game. It really doesn’t matter if someone is bigger, stronger or faster than you. The bottom line is that in any given event/ride/race the best athlete or team doesn’t usually come out on top! It’s the athlete or team that has a play and confidence that can keep their head on straight for that competition!
FOCUS ON WHAT I CAN CONTROL
Another confidence drain is focusing on the things I can’t control or things about the ride that are directly out of my control. Focusing on what you can’t control will make you uptight, kill your confidence and sabotage your goals. Things you can’t control are your opponent, the hills, the weather, conditions, the past, the outcome, other people’s expectations, etc. Keep your focus onto what you can control (how you react to all the them and should you find your concentration drifting from this, quickly return it.)
DWELL ON THE POSITIVE
One thing I was taught to do as a child was to self positive talk before an event. I had to train myself in the habit of looking for the upside of things. I take this habit with me now and find being negative will not only kill confidence but it will also sap the confidence of those around you. If the weather is foul, dwell on how this will bother others more than you. If an opponent is faster or stronger, think about how they have much more to lose than you since you’re not expected to win. If a competitor starts to suddenly cheat or talk trash, think about why they are doing it, because they don’t feel that their skill level by itself is enough. Be positive! You’ll feel better about yourself and perform at a higher level.
CELEBRATE VICTORIES
Start today to keep a “goal log” or a recording of the little things you did that day which were small victories. If you pushed yourself beyond a training limit, then record that. If you cycled a little faster, climbed a little higher, trained a little harder, record those. By getting in the habit of “hunting for your little daily victories” and writing them down, you will gradually build your self-confidence and your body. Keep your victory log handy and review it daily. Strava is a great place to analyze your efforts and celebrate the little victories.
COACH MYSELF
Get in the habit of being a positive coach to yourself. If you’re just starting out, you’ll make a lot of mistakes, especially on your first group ride. Learn from them and let them go. Don’t dwell on your mistakes and failures. Forgive yourself for them and then move on. Dwelling on mistakes and beating yourself up will only fill you with self-doubts and keep you from riding. It will not make you a better athlete or group rider. Good coaches are open to learning, forgiving, and positive. Practice being one to yourself.