Having a training plan in place to help get me cycling  from 0 to 54 miles in 16 weeks, has been amazing. Firstly, I don’t have to think or worry about trying to create a plan myself, it’s there done, printed out in black and white and stuck on the wall.

All I have to do now is to follow it, which has been much easier than I thought. That being said, I am not over keen on the stretching exercises. Resting I can do, cycling I can do, but stretching well it all seems a bit half hearted really. So I have had to find ways to inspire myself by reading blogs and articles on the benefits of stretching for cyclists in order to motivate  myself. I found an article on yoga for cyclist which was great, I can relate to yoga but not stretching – it’s different words for basically the same thing. However, my favourite article was:

Surprising things have happened too – not knowing what the weather will be like for my London to Brighton cycle, has meant that I have been out in every weather no matter what and that has including torrential rain with streams of water running down the roads and cycling through floods. Not something I would have normally persuaded myself to do, but knowing that I have done it, that I can do it, makes all the difference!

Determination has appeared in another guise too, part of which is competitiveness. I have downloaded an app, MapMyRide, so I can record my routes and times. But, I also get points and times for doing certain local courses, which has motivated me and made me more determined to get out and cycle.

Finally, I am determined because there are those who say I can’t do it – there is nothing like being told you can’t to ensure that you do!!

What makes you determined?