How to Motivate Yourself to Keep Biking through the Summer Heat

You know that riding your bike each day offers you a ton of benefits. Your heart rate improves, you tone up, and you lose weight. However, riding in the summer heat can make it difficult to power through. If you just can’t muster up the motivation to ride this summer, then you might try incorporating these four tips to get yourself out on the road again. 

Get a Nicer Bike

Riding an old clunker of a bike in the hot summer affects you in the same way that driving an old, hot clunker of a car would. When your body is too hot, it can often cause inflammation that makes those bumps and jolts from exciting spring rides feel even more uncomfortable on your bones and joints. Instead, getting a new bike with better shock absorption, easy gear changes, and smooth braking features can help reduce the discomfort that comes with summer biking.

Treat Yourself to Cool Bike Gear

There’s a reason that serious cyclists wear the types of clothes they do. Fitted jerseys, the right shoes and helmet, along with other gear makes for a safer and easier ride. Even the wrong backpack or messenger bag will change your ride and make your posture uneven. If this issue is affecting your ride, then you may want to talk with someone in your local biking community about the types of custom cycling kits that are on the market. Gearing up the right way means your summer ride won’t put unnecessary stress and make it easier to find the motivation to ride.

Set Daily Goals/ Incentives

There’s something very satisfying about setting a goal and achieving it, especially if it’s a large goal. The right goalsbecome catalysts for change. Here’s a tip to ensure that you’re setting the right kind of goals: Make sure they’re big enough and specific enough to excite you and motivate you. For example, don’t just say, “I try to ride every day to lose some weight.” Rather, state it in specifics: “I will ride an hour each day so that I can eventually lose 10 pounds by the end of the summer.” Be realistic, however, and consider working up to your goals by slowly increasing the amount of time you spend biking. You can also add extra motivation through peer pressure by telling your goals to your friend so you feel more committed to them.

Bike in the A.M.

It probably goes without saying that one of the reasons summer rides are so difficult is because it’s so hot. This is an easy issue to sidestep if you ride in the cool of the morning. Aside from getting your ride out of the way for the day, you get to enjoy the world as it’s waking up. Instead of fighting lunch-rush traffic, you can bike while the roads are empty and all you have to dodge are birds gathering for their morning worm.

Riding your bike when it’s really hot out can be a strain on your body and your motivation. However, there are some steps you can take in order to find your riding mojo once again. Doing things like investing in a new bike and gear, riding in the morning, and setting powerful goals can make all the difference. Try any and all of these tips to make your summer ride more pleasant and fruitful.