The mental videos should feel magical, like something you can step into. The mental videos will also feel like a relief to you because you are "letting go" of the analysis and rolling with the flow. Play with the image until it feels good. Keep playing it over and over and enjoy the experience! The more positive emotions, like energy, calmness, confidence, and fun you add to your mental videos, the better ... and the more powerful.
2. Work on rhythm and tempo to smooth out mechanics.
Riding with feel is smooth and rhythmic. Coach yourself to feel the rhythm. Before and during your ride, remind yourself, "Feel the rhythm." Sometimes counting or repeating a tune or a phrase can re-establish flow, too.
3. Steady your breathing.
Become aware of your breathing and simply let the air flow in and out of your abdomen when possible.
Be easy about this. A focused breathing pattern can help you blend the mechanics with the intended rhythm of your entire ride, or any part of it.
4. Use phrases with feeling words to coach yourself as you ride.
Brainstorm phrases that automatically trigger the feel you desire. Be sure and add those scripts to the mental videos you practice. For example, if you say, "Smooth, soft, low hands", that is much better than, "Keep your hands down and stop being jerky"!
"Stay aggressive" could help you remain offensive in a situation without overdoing it. "Scan out front" evokes more softness and a broader visual field than just, "Eyes up".
5. Trust yourself to do the right thing in new situations.
It’s easy to try so hard not to make a mistake that you are ahead of the moment instead of in the moment … and guess what … you make mistakes. Relax. Trust yourself to do your best, which in most cases will be correct.
And if you make a mistake, so be it. Mistakes show us the next best place to work on technique. Mistakes are how you learn. Keep practicing these five ideas and you will discover that elusive experience of feel in the most timely manner possible.
Photo by Josh Wolters