Reg Gupton's Top 10 lessons from cycling

Most activities that we do with our lives will teach us something if we are open to learning and don't just blindly carry out the routine steps. This has been true for me with long distance cycling

1. If you can ride 10 miles, you can ride 20. If you can ride 20 you can ride 30.

Get started, do what you think you can do. Then rest briefly to marshal your energy, focus and intention. And begin again.

Don't quit. You can do much more than you ever thought, much, much more.

2. Give it every thing you have, then take a break.

Many, many days when riding, I have been convinced that I could ride no further. Not true. If I stop for even 10 minutes I learned that I could ride another hour or so. Breaks are a good thing.

3. Every equipment upgrade enhances the riding experience.

I read magazines and on-line newsletters about the latest and greatest cycling equipment breakthroughs. And I wait a while to make the next investment in new equipment. Upgrades are a good thing, just not on the bleeding edge.

Plan and budget for appropriate equipment purchases. Don't get the latest and greatest. Just move up and continue to educate yourself with what is going on with the equipment necessary to make your work more fun and productive. Upgrade to broadband (spend less time on line), upgrade your computers (spend less time watching the hard drive spin) and upgrade your skills (get or keep your job)

4. Keep learning from those that are better than you.

Lance Armstrong revolutionized the sport of competitive cycling. Along the way he won the Tour de France 7 times. His contributions include year round training, riding the difficult stages ahead of time (let's call that practice), hiring a coach, focus on winning only one event a year (the Tour), massive upgrades to the equipment, attention to detail, and understanding the difference between strength (low pedal cadence) and aerobic capability (fast pedal cadence).

5. Keep your equipment clean and in good repair.

A recent conversation with a friend of mine who has been off his bike for a while (too long) convinced me that something as simple as washing your bike can re-kindle the spirit.
A coaching client recently told me that cleaning her 180 (removing the clutter that she can see while sitting at her desk had the same result) She feels energized for hours if not days after this little exercise.

Just don't look on the floor under or behind her desk.

6. Ride with your friends.

A lot of my early cycling was done alone in training for the MS-150 described below. Feeling the wind in my face and the rhythmic movement was kind of hypnotic.

After a while these rides ended up boring, just like working alone. Find an individual or group that you can speak with about your work. Create or join a Mastermind Group, form a group that will meet and discuss the latest books or articles that have a bearing on your work and life.

I now ride with a group 2-3 times per week. We have created some great friendships. The miles just roll along and the hills are not so painful.

Learn from others mistakes and successes. You don't have to make every mistake yourself. It is painful and time consuming.

7. Get warmed up.

Stretch, get the Cardio Vascular system opened up. These days it takes me about 30-45 minutes to get the body ready to ride.

Consider that your brain and creative processes could use some warm up too. Consider listening to educational tapes/CDs on the way to and from work. Not talk radio. Talk radio will not help you move your life and/or career forward.

8. Look up the road

Not always at your wheel (or feet) or at the task at hand. That is where the sights are. Too many times to count, while cycling on two lane country road in Boulder County, Colorado, there are raptors on top of power poles and in the large trees beside the road. If you look up, you will see wild things.

You will gain perspective and a clearer vision of what is ahead. A bigger picture too.

9. Learn to play well with cars.

Where I ride, Boulder County CO, cyclists and drivers have worked out an uneasy truce (most days) On many of the more popular routes the city/county/state have painted bike lanes, posted Share the Road signs and done numerous betterments to allow cyclists to safely enjoy the beautiful cycling that is here. Sometimes when riding (and driving) I notice cyclists abusing their size and maneuverability. This antagonizes drivers and rightly so. Remember, cars are bigger than bikes.

Taking on the your biggest competitor head on, can be suicidal. Carve out a niche that is under served. More opportunity, more profits.

10. Learn the rules on the game.

My first longer rides were on MS-150s. These are benefit rides for the MS Society.

On the first ride that I attempted to complete (no, it took three attempts to finish my first one) I was surprised to hear people who I did not know, saying to me as they passed, "on your left" to let me know that I was being overtaken, while complete strangers pointed out road hazards that they saw first.

Every sport, business, industry, and company has traditions and culture that are important to understand. At least when you violate them, you are aware. Awareness is very, very useful.