THE MONSTER OF PROVENCE
In 2005, while living in Provence for a year and loving my road cycling, I decided to climb Mont Ventoux. And then, as the big day approached, I decided I couldn’t. My thought process went something like this:
— It‘s too high.
— It‘s too hard.
— It‘s way too hot.
— It‘s way too windy.
— I‘m too old.
— I‘m too fat.
— My knees hurt.
— The guys I’m supposed to be cycling with are really serious!
— I‘ll get dropped immediately.
— They‘ll think I‘m a loser.
— I‘ll ruin the ride for everyone.
— I don‘t have it in me.
— I‘ll only fail, so I shouldn‘t even try.
— Maybe next year…
These thought were not helpful. Nor were they necessarily true. But they were very, very powerful.
Perhaps they sound familiar? Anyway, I ran away from the mountain. For six long years. Until, finally, in 2011 I returned and climbed Mont Ventoux. And, of course, I loved it. Why? Because I’d learned how to make my mind work for me rather than against me.
CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR RIDE
The Mental Cyclist is the result of my personal exploration of what really goes on in your head when you ride — and how to change it. See some of the key benefits here.
I’ve written The Mental Cyclist to help recreational cyclists of every age, ability and ambition. Across 300 pages, it’s a mix of structured learning and guided journaling.
— Sports psychology made accessible and actionable.
— Reflective journal exercises designed to help you develop deep expertise in yourself (as a cyclist and a person).
— 12-stage program of self-development
— Tools to help you design your ultimate Mental Cycling Challenge.
— 12-week tracker as you commit to and mentally prepare for your Challenge.
Becoming a Mental Cyclist is about becoming an expert in yourself
The book is available in 4 editions, from premium Carbon to affordable Kindle. I hope you give it a try, and I hope you find it helpful. I know that I’d have found it very helpful indeed back in 2004 when I ran away from that mountain!
I’d love to connect with you on Facebook and Instagram (links below). And if you have a story to tell about your own cycling mindset has evolved, I’d love to share it and help to inspire other cyclists. Please get in touch.
Thanks for being here.
Kyle MacRae
Author, The Mental Cyclist
