As much as our passion for cycling is infinite, let's admit that there are times when we look at our bike with a bit of reluctance. It's normal. Maintaining the motivation to pedal all year round can be a challenge, especially when it comes to training with road bikes on long rides or facing tough terrains with mountain bikes.
Cycling is a sport as rewarding as it is demanding, where enjoyment and effort go hand in hand. Whether it's bad weather or just plain laziness, we know that staying consistent is key to improving performance and avoiding losing physical fitness. Surely you've heard the saying "no pain, no gain," right? Well, in cycling, it applies perfectly.
However, it's easy to fall into the trap of skipping a ride and turning that rest day into a week or even months without training. And, as you know, regaining lost physical condition is much harder than maintaining it.
That's why motivation is an essential aspect for both mountain bike cyclists looking to tackle technical routes and road bike enthusiasts who enjoy long journeys. Below, we present 12 (+1) simple strategies to keep your motivation up and keep pedaling, even in the toughest moments.
1. Get on the trainer
You already know that indoor training is more popular than ever. Smart trainers, in combination with training apps, have transformed the way we understand cycling in the off-season. If you haven't tried it yet, it will be an extra motivation not to stop pedaling, even if it's indoors. Platforms like Zwift are fun. They let you compete with other connected enthusiasts, ride, complete training plans and sessions, etc. They have an addictive game-based component that will help you stay in shape during the season when going outside isn't appealing.
2. Sign up for a cycling event
La Chica de los Puertos, Tuvalum ambassador. Although this is closely related to the previous point, it's worth highlighting, as it's one of the most effective ways to keep your motivation high over a long period of time. Signing up for a cycling event, or planning a bike trip anywhere, is an excellent way not to lose momentum in your rides.
3. Treat yourself. Upgrade your bike!
Upgrading your bike or your cycling gear is a great incentive to add extra motivation for your rides.
Buy yourself here a refurbished bike from Tuvalum 😊 and you'll see how you find the motivation you've been looking for. Guaranteed.
Well, it can also work with something more modest: some new socks, a stylish jersey, a newly installed power meter on your bike... Anything that makes your time on the pedals more enjoyable will encourage you to get back into activity. And don't get discouraged, of course.
4. Set goals, but aim for short-term objectives
Riding the Tour de France, winning the Cape Epic, or going around the world may be very legitimate aspirations that can motivate you. But they may seem far away. That's why it's important to intersperse realistic steps along the way. Set yourself daily, weekly, or monthly goals. Make sure they are challenging, but achievable. Everything counts: reaching certain power values in an indoor session, achieving a pending KOM/QOM on Strava, covering a certain distance during a week, managing to climb that mountain pass that seems impossible to you, losing some weight monthly... All these are short-term objectives that will stimulate your motivation. Smaller, achievable goals will help you feel a regular sense of accomplishment.
5. Join a group
There's nothing more motivating than counting down the hours to meet up with a group of people who share your passion for cycling. If riding on your own feels like an uphill battle, join a club or cycling group. The same could be applied to indoor cycling. If getting on the trainer feels like torture, sign up for spinning classes in your area. Pedaling in company makes everything easier: camaraderie, good vibes, and fun. What more could you ask for? Plus, group rides aren't without competitiveness. It's fun to play at being a pro and attack every now and then. Also, it benefits performance improvement. You'll be surprised how far you can push yourself in your training just by riding with others. Group riding is an excellent way to find motivation in a more competitive environment. Plus, it's very practical if what you want is to prepare for a cycling event.
6. Start with high intensities
There's a belief that winter is a time for monotonous bike rides at a slow pace. But this shouldn't really be the case, as it's a routine that can get tedious and demotivating. It's better to postpone long rides for a bit later, when the weather is milder. Take advantage of winter to do just the opposite: short sessions at high intensities. That way, you'll hit spring with strength and you'll have time to work on endurance. You'll warm up quickly during your sessions, notice performance improvements fast, and spend less time exposed to the elements. Sounds good, doesn't it?
7. Hire a professional
Having the help of a personal trainer is always a good idea. Not only will they monitor your cycling training, but they will also schedule your activity so you don't have to worry about this aspect. Having a training plan makes things easier and prevents you from overthinking: you just have to follow it, period. Knowing that someone else is watching your moves is a good motivation. The right cycling coach can guide you in your cycling goals, design a training plan that fits your objectives, and help you train smarter. A good coach will help keep your motivation from dropping. Let's say, for the same price, you'll also have a kind of psychologist. Something like that.
8. Escape monotony
Are you fed up with the bike? It can happen. Especially when you train alone and ride the same places over and over again. Try to introduce something new into your routine to stimulate your motivation. Do some strength training at the gym, go swimming, do some running for a few days... A good way to find motivation is to temporarily change your cycling habits. If you're into road cycling, try MTB or gravel; if you always ride alone, join a group; if you've never trained in a velodrome, this could be the time. You have a thousand options. Soon you’ll be eager to return to your comfort zone with your batteries fully recharged.
9. Look for new routes
The majority of cyclists rely on a handful of routes that we ride frequently. This can become monotonous and demotivating. Explore new routes to recharge your motivation. Try tools like Strava to discover new tracks near home. You might get a pleasant surprise. Load them onto your bike computer, and you’re all set! Doing something a bit different is mentally stimulating and can inspire you to go out on your bike with renewed enthusiasm.
10. Rest, physically and mentally
Paradoxically, a lack of motivation to go out on your bike is your body’s way of telling you: stop and rest. You may be tired, overloaded from a previous workout, stressed... All of this affects the energy your body has available for cycling. You could also be on the verge of exhaustion or suffering from overtraining. In that case, you’ll need a break. If cycling becomes a routine chore, a mere formality, it’s time to take a break. Cycling should serve to enrich your life, not torment it.
11. Train your skills
When lacking motivation, we suggest you choose a cycling skill, focus on it, and try to improve it. Instead of going out to ride faster and with the goal of accumulating more kilometers, you can try something different: pick a cycling discipline you've always wanted to improve. Maybe it's climbing, cornering, increasing your cadence, or boosting your explosive strength… Whatever it is. Dedicate some sessions to practicing the areas where you see the most room for improvement. You’ll become a more complete cyclist. Does that sound like little motivation to you?
12. Change the time of your rides (if you can)
You might be losing motivation to ride your bike because you go out too early in the morning and your body just can’t keep up. Although getting up early to pedal has its benefits, it’s possible your body needs (and asks for) more hours of sleep. In that case, the ideal is to go out in the afternoon, when you’ve already taken care of your obligations and had your regulation rest. Also, you know that when you get home you won’t have any particularly unpleasant chores left. 
13. Reward yourself
Finally: if your motivation is to lose weight through cycling, then replenishing all the calories you burn on each ride may not be the best idea. But if the scale isn’t a problem for you, having a small treat waiting in the fridge isn’t a bad idea. Of course, rewards don’t have to be related to food and drink (although those are usually the best, don’t you think?). Maybe it could be that cycling jacket you’ve been wanting for a while, or some gloves, or new wheels, or any other gift. But remember: make sure you earn it with good work on the bike. Choose a goal, set a suitable reward, and achieve it. It’s a good way to find motivation.
Tuvalum Team
