Here’s my take on why cycling is a perfect exercise to actively get into the flow!
It is important to understand that flow does not need to be just an experience that occurs occasionally. You can train flow — just like any sports or practices at work. I myself have learned this over 12 years, during which I have gone from being a non-athlete to a competing cyclist and now a flow passionate.
Here are my main points.
#1: Strive for effortless power
This kind of flow is inherent in the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen — lifelong learning.
Our daily cycling offers a golden opportunity to develop Kaizen skills for long-term growth and improvement — even at higher age. The ‘Western’ training cycle has three phases: stress, recovery and adaptation — with the tendency to spin the wheel always faster. This can lead to burn-out. A Kaizen way of training balances stress with adequate recovery and adaptation in endless loops.
#2: Train in the sweet spot
Sweet spot training is the flow state for cyclists.
Sweet spot training isn’t as strenuous as high-intensity interval training, and it shouldn’t be as relaxing as unstructured rides that focus only on endurance — a balanced training stimulus that can be described as flow and at the same time is very effective in increasing threshold power.
#3: Use supporting technologies
Power meters and digital training platforms increase effectiveness.
Digitalization has revolutionized cycling over the last ten years. Today, everyone has access to a power meter at a reasonable price — a prerequisite for determining one’s own performance threshold. Platforms like Zwift and Strava enable training fun and group sharing 12 months a year, no matter where you live.
#4: Go with you daily flow
Bike training doesn’t work long-term if it is not aligned with family and work life.
For years I tried to free up as much time as possible for cycling. It has always created tensions. Training in flow works the other way around: use the daily commute. Optimize the effectiveness of your training. Create experiences in nature.
#5: Engage in energetics
Learn listening to your daily biorhythm.
There are now digital solutions from natural therapy that make your daily fitness transparent and ‘treatable’: Thus, topics such as nutrition, biochemistry and beliefs find their regular way into training. Learn to use this form of quantum physics and artificial intelligence for your own development.
I hope you experiment with all of these to actively get into the flow!
All the best and share your thoughts with me!
