A cycling mindset can teach success
Nic Mattock

The recipe for a cyclist is pretty simple: quads, glutes, heart, a generous dose of intensity training, add espresso to taste.

Much of what makes a good cyclist, however, is intangible. Whilst many of us are blessed with natural physical ability, even those most gifted in this department will fail to meet the demands of competition if they cannot also master the required mentality.

In 2015, I was fortunate enough to be involved in the OTOC-Vault NRS team; a selection which, arguably, was made by the team management without consideration of my (mediocre) preceding results, but instead with focus on developing a coherent group of riders whom exhibited a similar commitment to the team.

Naturally, this team was immediately successful; as a team, we were successful in toppling giants to win the Tour de Perth – the first national-level event we had ridden together, within months of inception.

Tour De Perth 2015

What I didn’t realise, however, at the time, was the parallels this team and environment would draw with my academic and professional lives. Returning to study medicine in 2016 at UWA has taught me that this analogy exists everywhere: there are very few who are naturally gifted, and many who have developed a persistence and diligence that will ultimately see them be successful.

Cycling has taught me this diligence. It has conditioned me to understand that hard work rarely goes without reward, and has shown me that satisfaction exists not just in success, but also in the journey to such success.

I look back on my time racing and riding my bike less as a hobby, and more as a rite of passage. Ultimately, cycling has taught me how to be successful: not in ability, but in mindset.