![YOUR SUPER SUMMER](https://cdn.magzter.com/1360045451/1694176953/articles/xy0eLcY6W1694517561701/YOUR-SUPER-SUMMER.jpg)
THE SECRETS OF GOAL-SETTING
Few of us thrive – in training, or in competition - without having a goal in mind.
The theme of 'setting goals' always comes up at the start of a riding season. No matter how well-intentioned, these goals often never last more than a few short months at best.
The popular ride-tracking app Strava refers to 17 January as 'Quitter's Day'; because on average, that's how long most new year's resolutions last. I mean, personally, my resolution to cut down on chocolate and chips this year failed even before that.
Why is that? What makes sticking to goals so hard, and how do we overcome that problem?
Over the past decade, Elliot Jackson has been on the achievement side (as a professional downhill mountain bike racer) as well as on the observation side (doing interviews and commentary on Red Bull TV) of goal-setting. There are three key ingredients, he says, that you need to achieve your riding goals - be they long-term ones you plan out at the start of the riding season, or those that pop up along the way: consistency, persistence, and motivation.
CONSISTENCY
"Most people overestimate what they can do in one year, and underestimate what they can do in ten years." I love this quote by Bill Gates, because it embodies what it means to be consistent. Intuitively, we know we need consistency to achieve success; but we don't take into account just how much consistency we need.
Denne historien er fra September / October 2023-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
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Denne historien er fra September / October 2023-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![GEAR FOR THE AGES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/ksrXWXZx81720596957220/GEAR-FOR-THE-AGES.jpg)
GEAR FOR THE AGES
Some bicycle components, tools and accessories - by design, luck or a bit of both - become icons of performance, reliability and permanence in cycling.
![A RACE LIKE NO OTHER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/hNS2HxDtB1720596207494/A-RACE-LIKE-NO-OTHER.jpg)
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
IN KENYA'S MAASAI MARA, KNOWN MORE FOR SAFARIS THAN CYCLING, THE MIGRATION GRAVEL RACE CHALLENGES RIDERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THE WORLD WHILE FORGING A FUTURE FOR BIKE RACING IN AFRICA.
![WAR ON WHEELS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/EoUN43_HR1720595067436/WAR-ON-WHEELS.jpg)
WAR ON WHEELS
IF YOU GO FOR A RIDE IN CAPE TOWN AT THE WRONG TIME, YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CYCLING GANG WAR, WHERE THE WEAPONS OF CHOICE ARE STRAVA RECORDS AND SALTY COMMENTS ON INSTAGRAM. THIS IS THE TALE OF THREE RIVAL ROADIE CREWS AND A REMINDER THAT CYCLING IS A SPORT BEST TAKEN WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.
![GET TOUR DE FRANCE FAST IN FOUR WEEKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/YiHDHavgp1720594499835/GET-TOUR-DE-FRANCE-FAST-IN-FOUR-WEEKS.jpg)
GET TOUR DE FRANCE FAST IN FOUR WEEKS
HAVE YOU GOT TOUR FEVER? If you have a good fitness base, let the pros inspire you to take your riding to the next level.
![THE SECRET TO MAKING A COMEBACK? JUST START](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/LI4QGoI7t1720594205702/THE-SECRET-TO-MAKING-A-COMEBACK-JUST-START.jpg)
THE SECRET TO MAKING A COMEBACK? JUST START
\"THIS IS WHAT DECONDITIONING LOOKS LIKE,\" I said out loud to no one, as I looked at the heart-rate reading on my phone and gasped for breath. \"This shouldn't be so hard.\"
![DEAR MARK CAVENDISH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/g7MxM8Een1720593991457/DEAR-MARK-CAVENDISH.jpg)
DEAR MARK CAVENDISH
WHEN I FIRST STARTED FOLLOWING professional road cycling around 2014, you were at the top of your game.
![HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POWER-TOWEIGHT RATIO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/54U3MAA3j1720593503321/HOW-TO-CALCULATE-YOUR-POWERTOWEIGHT-RATIO.jpg)
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POWER-TOWEIGHT RATIO
POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO IS one of the most telling metrics in cycling - and thanks to indoor trainers, many more cyclists are now familiar with it. Right now it's never been easier to calculate your power-to-weight ratio and use it to improve your performance.
![EASY RIDER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/DZt1jMPLl1720593325081/EASY-RIDER.jpg)
EASY RIDER
A FEW YEARS AGO, my wife and I along with her parents, brother and his wife-cycled down the Danube River in Europe.
![LEADING THE WAY - RYAN GIBBONS, 29, SA PRO RIDER, MULTIPLE SA & AFRICAN ROAD CHAMP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1754829/-_HfyANb61720592455364/LEADING-THE-WAY-RYAN-GIBBONS-29-SA-PRO-RIDER-MULTIPLE-SA-AFRICAN-ROAD-CHAMP.jpg)
LEADING THE WAY - RYAN GIBBONS, 29, SA PRO RIDER, MULTIPLE SA & AFRICAN ROAD CHAMP
AFTER JOINING LIDLTREK from UAE Team Emirates, South African national champ Ryan Gibbons aims to be the best lead-out man he can be - while also helping his new team in their quest to climb the World Tour rankings.
![6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/2572/1571210/EXmaHQ18n1708514727809/6-WAYS-TO-BEAT-THE-HEAT-THIS-SUMMER.jpg)
6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOU COOLER AND RIDING STRONGER... NO MATTER WHAT THE TEMPERATURE.