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10 New Year’s resolutions for cyclists

Make the next year a productive one on the bike by setting goals

Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan

As we head into a new year, many people shift from reminiscing about the year that has passed and move on to finding ways to move towards a more positive future. Here are ten cycling resolutions you can make in 2019.

Get a friend or family member into cycling

Cyclists in park, taking a break

Share your passion for cycling with others in your life. It’s extremely rewarding to encourage and support those who are new to the sport. Remember when you started riding how helpful it was to have motivation from someone more experienced than yourself? Be that person for someone else and help them discover the benefits of cycling.

Commute to work

At dusk a cyclist can be difficult to see.

Cities across Canada are upgrading their cycling infrastructure to encourage people to commute by bike. Whether you’ve been hesitant because of the distance or because it’s never seemed practical, give it a try this year. Forming new habits can take some time but you’ll be better off for it.

Increase your mileage

Group ride

Did it seem like you were too busy with other things this past year to get in as much mileage as you wished? School, work and family commitments may take up the majority of your time but with a little bit of planning we are confident you can find the time for more riding this coming year.

Ride a gran fondo

Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan
Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan

With gran fondos across Canada that allow participants to ride some of the countries most scenic roads these organized events have a lot to offer cyclists of all abilities. Gran fondos can be a fun way to get your riding buddies together for a weekend, explore new roads and meet other cyclists. If there isn’t an event that gets you excited try planning your own cycling adventure.

Try another discipline

cyclocross

Whether you are a roadie or love riding trails, venturing into a different discipline can be a great way to get more out of cycling in the coming year. Whether it’s hopping on a fat bike in the winter, participating in a cyclocross race come fall, or discovering the thrill of mountain biking on your local trails, it never hurts to give another discipline a try.

Sign up for a charity ride

Image: Cops for Cancer – Tour de Valley/Facebook

Find a charity ride in your community that benefits an organization you believe in. Get together some friends or colleagues from the office, raise funds for a good cause and ride an organized event with others who charge your support.

Give your bike the TLC it deserves

Commit to better caring for your bike in the new year. That goes beyond regular maintenance like finally figuring out how to change your chain  but also developing good habits to keep it clean and functioning smoothly.

Find new roads to ride

Riding in Mallorca.

Discover the road less travelled in your local area or travel with your bike in 2019. Head down a gravel road you’ve always bypassed or set off in a different direction to see what you’ve been missing. Traveling with your bike is also a great option, where here in Canada or abroad there are tons of amazing experiences to be had on the bike.

Train smarter

Health food for fitness concept with fresh fruit, vegetables, pulses, herbs, spices, nuts, grains and pulses. High in anthocyanins, antioxidants,smart carbohydrates, omega 3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Whether your goal is to smash your personal best on a Strava segment, be competitive in a local race or join a faster group for rides better fitness has all sorts of benefits. In 2019, focus on creating and committing to a training plan to reach your goals to get stronger. That means start now and don’t neglect a healthy diet when considering the gains you can make on the bike.

RELATED: Healthy habits for the off-season

N+1

The new Cervelo S5 on the grounds of Rocacorba Cycling hotel.

This could be the year you add your dream bike to the stable. Whether you’ve had your eye on a specific frame for a few years now, it’s time for an upgrade or you want to spend more time riding a different discipline start putting aside funds as soon as possible.