No Ride Matters, But Every Ride Does

For me, cycling is more than just riding a bike

It may sound naff but I often think it as an art form.

Admittedly for some it is just a means of getting from A to B. But for others, it becomes a way of life and something central to their being.

I think I am probably nearer the it being a way of life end of the spectrum as I have cycled all my life, raced at a high level, raced and cycled in many countries and made lifelong friends because of it. I now ride multi-day challenge events, coach cycling and run a junior women’s team in the UK. Yes, cycling is my passion.

I think about cycling a lot and as a coach I am always looking for ways to help people. Not only to get fitter on their bikes but more importantly to find enjoyment from them. When things are going well cycling is easy, you can fit rides in whenever you want and your legs always seem great. But there will always be times when it is tough. Rides get missed, fitness seems to plateaux and your legs always seem to be sore. It’s at times like this that I find a bit of context and cycling philosophy can help.

Which brings me in a roundabout way to the idea of today:

No ride matters but every ride does

Read that once and it probably doesn’t make sense, but bear with me….

When your training is going well and you are getting most, if not all of your rides in, missing the odd one doesn’t matter. When things are flowing and you can see your load building over the months, having to miss a ride will not impact your overall fitness. One ride doesn’t make up enough of the total of your training to influence it either way.

No ride matters….

Now, contrast that with a period of struggle. Motivation wanes, schedules are hectic, and it’s hard to get on your bike and build volume. Progress becomes stagnant. Now, every ride you do makes a difference, as every ride is a big part of your total. 

Every ride does….

Here's a short video from me that expands on the thought. Enjoy...

So, what's the takeaway?

The notion of No Ride Matters, But Every Ride Does works in two ways:

First it should give you the confidence to know that missing the occasional ride won’t derail your progress. When life throws curveballs and you're forced to skip a session, you can trust in the consistency of your training.

Then secondly, when things are going less well, it can motivate you to get out on your bike. When rides are few and far between, every extra hour WILL make a difference. So, if you had planned three hours but only have time for one, JUST DO the one.

 So, there you are, No Ride Matters, But Every Ride Does

A Thought...  and possible help

I know that when preparing for a challenge ride it can be confusing to know what rides to do, and when. That is why I created the Cent-Soulor. It's designed specifically for new and returning riders, and builds your fitness, skill and confidence. Starting from a modest base the 16-week course will take you from hardly riding to doing over 100km in one day.

To find out more and to see if it could help you, check out the info page here: CENT-SOULOR