I love traveling by bike! I think it’s the very best way to truly get a feel of the land and the people. It’s like going in through the back door. Each mile is earned, each hill is a triumph, it’s a symphony of the senses (even the pig farms) and being on a bike is an invitation for a conversation with the locals.
I recently returned home from a two month long, 3,100 mile, self-supported bike trip through the United States and Europe and found that there some important principles that are vital in order to have a successful trip. After thinking about it more, I realized that the important ingredients to a good bicycle trip directly translate to a more successful life. Here are my top 8 lessons I learned on my bike that will help you lead a more fulfilled life.
#1 BE PREPARED
Think ahead! Plan your route. Bring what you need. Plan out your day. Start in shape.
#2 STAY FLEXIBLE
Be adaptable. Take it as it comes. Don’t force it. Be nimble and ready to adjust your course or your schedule. On a bike the weather is a big part of your day – When it’s raining find shelter. In a headwind, pedal hard and take it slow. When you have a tailwind, take advantage and go farther. When you see fun opportunities along the way make time to do them.
#3 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
A good bike trip is dependent upon being strong and full of energy. When you are hungry, thirsty or sore you don’t enjoy the beauty around you nearly as much. Plan for proper nutrition, hydration and rest.
#4 YOUR ATTITUDE MAKES THE TRIP
If you are focussed on the heat, the wind, the rain, the hills, the dirty bathrooms, the rude campers, the fast drivers and how far you still have to ride for the day, then your trip will be an inner dialog of negativity. A negative attitude is like a magnet, it looks for more fuel and it invariably finds it. It’s not a good recipe for a good trip.
The alternative is much more enjoyable. A positive attitude accepts that adversities are just a part of the adventure. Instead of finding things wrong, notice the wonder in the small things along the way. The quiet you get to enjoy as you climb up a steep hill. The dragon flies above, the butterflies by the side of the road, saying hello to the cows and watching the birds soar; appreciating the pride of a property well taken care of; singing songs that come to you as ride by something obscure; waving at the cars that give you more room than was necessary; seeing the fish swimming in the stream as your ride over a bridge; giving a silent cheer when you see a long downhill ahead.
In the end, it’s about making progress, seeing what’s coming up next. Enjoy what is happening now and not worrying too much about what is coming up this afternoon or tomorrow or next week. There is good all around us and it’s up to us to notice it and AMPLIFY it! It’s a positive attitude that makes the journey enjoyable.
#5 HAVE A MADE UP MIND
Having already decided that you are doing “it” makes it much easier to overcome adversity along the way.
#6 TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
It’s up to you to take all of the steps along the way that make the journey a success. It’s not luck. It’s not because someone did it before you. If it’s to be, it’s up to you to make it happen.
#7 TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME
I often hear from others that they could never do a long bike trip like I have done. I agree that it sounds daunting to ride across states and countries when you think about it in big chunks. However, if you think about it in more manageable ways, even big goals are achievable. Break it down and it’s just a series of bike rides. Can you go for a 10 mile bike ride? Yes! Then put both feet on the pedals and start covering ground. Then take a break and then do another one. And then another one. Soon you are making real progress. Then find a place to stay and do it again. It’s amazing how far you can go if you keep at it.
#8 CELEBRATE THE VICTORIES
Sometimes it’s really easy just to keep your head down and get on with it. But it’s important to take the time to reflect on what went right! Celebrating a job well done makes the journey to get there all the sweeter.