Five Ways to Get Motivated to Ride Your E-Bike!

An extra push of motivation is sometimes what we need to get back on the (electric) bike. But, don’t worry; you’re not the only person in search of extra motivation to make biking a part of your daily routine.

We’ve scoured the internet and tested hundreds of different tips to create a list of the top “FIVE WAYS TO GET MOTIVATED TO USE YOUR E-BIKE”.

GIVE YOURSELF A REAL REWARD

We all know someone, might even be ourselves, who set vague fitness goals such as “tone up” or “fit into the college jeans I wore before the freshman 15 hit”. Author of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, Charles Duhigg, promotes a more tangible approach. For example, treating yourself to an episode of your favourite show (our current favourite, SuperStore) or a fun snack after you complete your workout.

To explain this in simplest terms, you’re creating a neurological “habit loop” that cues a behaviour (preparing your workout clothes the night before), the routine (going on a ride before work), and then a reward (having a kick-ass smoothie with some extra chocolate chips.. because you deserve it). “An extrinsic reward is so powerful because your brain can latch on to it and make the link that the behaviour is worthwhile,” according to Duhigg.
By repeating this over time, the motivation becomes intrinsic, leaving your brain to associate sweat and your daily rides with an endorphin surge!

FIND YOUR TRIBE

Your vibe attracts your tribe; we may not have come up with this iconic catchphrase, but it sure does summarize our second tip.

We’ve put together a community on Facebook to ensure that you’re making the most of your velofix/RadPower Experience. We are directly connecting you with a community of riders that are strong, knowledgeable, resilient and incredibly supportive. From beginner riders to experienced and professional riders, ask questions and connect with individuals all across North America.

SET A ROUTINE

Now listen, we understand that waking up at 4 am and writing in a gratitude journal is not for everyone… so plan a routine that is structured around your life.

Planning is excellent, but doing is a lot better right? When creating your routine, it does not need to be perfect, but it should be doable. Aim for structure when it comes to breaking down your daily, weekly, monthly goals. For example, going for a bike ride should never feel like an inconvenience on your busy schedule, but more so luxury to experience some quality “me time”.

Schedule your riding times in advance by dedicating 20 minutes on Sunday to plan out your schedule for the week, carving out time for your ride. For example, if your goal is to go on three rides per week, book Monday 6 pm – 7:15 pm, Wednesday 6 pm-7:15 pm, and Friday 7 am – 8:15 am as your dedicated riding days. Then, carve out that time to ensure nothing “pops up.”

RAD VIBES ONLY

Use the time you spend on your ride as YOU time because you deserve it. We’re all about positive self-talk, and here is why… it works!

We all know that working out provides us with many physical benefits, but we’re quick to shy about all the mental benefits associated with workouts. From gaining self-confidence to an increased focus, no wonder people smile when cycling around. So before your next workout, select 2 to 3 of the phrases, for example, some of our favourites:

• With every minute that passes, I’m becoming a better athlete.
• I’ve got an extra 10 minutes in my legs today!
• I am a better athlete for having worked out today!
• I am going to make the most of my ride!
• I am fortunate to experience this and will give it my best!

A boost of positive thinking goes a long way, but it’s the consistent implementation of positive self-talk that improves your results over time.

ACCOUNTABILITY BUDDY

Trust us; you’re not the only one making 10 pm promises to yourself after one too many beers that you will “workout tomorrow.” A study revealed that we are more likely to complete our goals if we make them in front of friends.

Queue the accountability buddy method. Jeremy Goldhaber-Fiebert, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University who studies health decision science. “I say I’m going to commit to doing something for a certain amount of time, such as exercising 30 minutes three times a week for 12 weeks. If I don’t do that, I’m going to pay some kind of penalty, whether it’s monetary or the embarrassment of having friends know I didn’t live up to my word.” So it might be time to call up a friend and create a contract to help you get your bike on.

In short, this list was composed of numerous different tried and tested techniques to ensure that you’re continuously inspired throughout your fitness journey. We’d love to hear from you about ways you stay motivated.