Getting nervous before a cycling event is no different than feeling nervous before any competition or performance. Elite athletes and first-timers can all feel a rush of adrenaline and nervousness, and that can be helpful in getting your body ready for action. Usually, once the event is underway, you can relax and focus on the competition and what you must do, rather than thinking about that nervous feeling in your stomach.
Pressure to Perform
Sometimes nervousness stems from the pressure you feel to win or at least perform up to your expectations. Or, you may have a parent, coach or teammates who are putting pressure on you. To overcome that pressure, remind yourself that you are physically prepared and mentally ready for the event. And remember that some of the pressure you think is coming from others may not really be the case. Most people cheering you on just want you to do your best and have fun. And if the pressure and nerves make cycling no fun, think about just enjoying riding -- but not in a competitive format.
Feeling Unprepared
It's easy to let your mind wander before a cycling event and fill your head with questions about the mechanical soundness of your bike, condition of your tires, water supplies for the race, the course and the rules and sleep and diet. You can drive yourself crazy with questions and doubts. To help minimize that, make a checklist before the race of all the things you need to do, from what to pack to what to check on your bike. That should help restore confidence so that you can rise to the occasion.
Shallow Breathing
When you're really nervous, your breathing becomes more shallow and more rapid. It's a natural response to stress, but that kind of respiration will only makes you feel more nervous. Try to reduce that feeling by taking slow, deep breaths from the diaphragm. Aim for six to seven breaths per minute. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breathing helps boost oxygenated blood to the brain, which will help focus your thoughts and calm your nerves by slowing your heart rate.
You're Cold
You may not feel chilly, but your body may not be warmed up for cycling. Become active, whether it's riding your bike around to get your muscles ready or just jogging a little. Staying in one place too long before a bike race can make you tense. Stay out of high-stress areas, such as a group of racers who also appear very nervous or are overly chatty.
Social Anxiety
Even if you're riding on your own, cycling is a social event, too. Participants meet and mingle before the race and chat with other riders in a pack. The socializing that goes on after the race as riders recount the aches, pains, sights and sounds of the day. But if you experience social anxiety, you're bound to be nervous before a cycling event. In a "Bicycling" magazine article, Selene Yeager, author of "Ride Your Way Lean: The Ultimate Plan for Burning Fat and Getting Fit on a Bike," notes that some of the most satisfying rewards can come from being a part of an event, rather than winning it. Riders share a common interest, so unlike a party where you may not have a lot in common with the guests, everyone in a bike race has one something: a love of cycling.
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