After 12 years of focusing on beating personal best times in cycling, I realized that progress isn't just about speed. Through experiences on climbs, meeting fellow cyclists, and reflecting on my journey, I learned that evolving as a cyclist includes adventure, mindset, and enjoyment beyond numbers. This article shares my story and insights to inspire cyclists to redefine success.
As a cyclist, many of us have those special climbs or segments that we use to test our fitness and compare our times. For me, one such climb is the beautiful and challenging Secala climb, 9.3 km of pure cycling joy and pain. Over the years, I have ridden this climb multiple times, always chasing a personal best (PB) time, trying to gauge my fitness and progress.
When you first get into road cycling, the journey often follows a familiar arc:
For me, my best time on the Secala climb was back in 2019, after months of dedicated training. Since then, I have often thought about beating that time, but it has remained elusive.
Chasing PBs can be motivating, but it can also be discouraging. Sometimes, not beating your best time can make you feel like you’re not improving or that you’re falling behind. This mindset can either push you to train harder or put you off trying altogether.
However, cycling is not always about the numbers. Every ride is a workout, a chance to push yourself and enjoy the experience. Even if you don’t beat your PB, you are still achieving a personal best for that day — the best you can do at that moment.
On a recent ride up Secala, I met Lisa, a guide for Tre Travel who has been riding and guiding on this climb since 2013. Lisa shared that she doesn’t feel pressured to be the fastest but focuses on enjoying the ride and the company. This encounter reminded me that cycling is as much about the journey and the people as it is about speed.
Later, I met a group of cyclists fundraising for the air ambulance, dedicating their rides to a cause bigger than themselves. Their passion and commitment showed me that cycling can be a powerful way to contribute and connect.
Reflecting on my ride, I realized that "beating yesterday" doesn’t necessarily mean going faster. Since 2019, I have evolved as a cyclist in many ways:
This shift in perspective helped me understand that progress is about evolving as a cyclist, not just improving times.
Mindset is everything in cycling. I almost didn’t push myself on the recent climb because I felt I should always be improving. But I reminded myself that it’s okay not to be the fastest every time. What matters is the effort, the enjoyment, and the personal growth.
The feeling of pushing yourself, the burn, the sweat, and the endorphin rush never change, regardless of your speed. And that is what keeps cycling exciting and rewarding.
Cycling is about more than just numbers. It’s about the stories we create, the people we meet, and the experiences we share. Whether it’s riding with family, fundraising for a cause, or simply enjoying a sunny day on the bike, these moments define what cycling truly means.
I finished my recent ride 2 and a half minutes slower than my best time in 2019, but I felt better than I expected. I realized that I am better today than I was yesterday, not because of speed, but because of how I have grown and what I have experienced.
So, if you’re feeling stuck chasing PBs or times, remember to look at your progress in a broader sense. Celebrate your adventures, your confidence, and your love for cycling. Beat the person you were yesterday in any way that matters to you.
Cycling is a lifelong journey, and every ride is a chance to learn, grow, and enjoy the ride.
That is my story, my lesson, and my hope for all cyclists out there.
Happy riding!
