Biking and Business - Bitesized Bits

TL;DR - I take what I’ve learned from cycling and put a business spin on it. Simple lessons that might be relevant to you!

Last month, I signed a new client in a new field and well, I’m both delighted and slightly nervous about it. It’s growing an eCommerce business from scratch. This is really exciting as I am working with the founder on new processes that will form the future success of the business. It’s cycling related and this really brought back all the great memories I have of my cycling club years.?

Cycling is such an amazing sport and I think so many of the lessons I have learned through the sport that resonate now with my new business, Connected Content .??

It’s a team sport but a lonely one: Cycling is definitely a team sport but the training that matters really only happens when you are on your own. Hills really challenged me when I was in the local cycling club and the ONLY way to overcome them was to practice on my own. This often took place either early morning or late evening and it was tough going. Running a business is quite similar - attending networking events and meeting clients is great, but it’s the long evenings and early mornings trying to meet deadlines where you’ll find yourself on your own. It’s during these times that you need to motivate yourself and find inner determination to keep going.?

Don’t dwell on what didn’t work before. Yes, learn your lessons, heal your wounds, but focus on where you want to go and what you want to achieve. If you focus on the negative, that’s where you’ll stick - in a pothole / rut. Instead, look beyond the rut and where you want to be.?

Weave uphill

Speaking of hills, some of the toughest hills are in Wicklow. I know, I’ve almost lost my lungs on some of them! I learned from more experienced cyclists that the best way to get up a steep hill, isn’t to take it head on, but to weave from right to left (if it’s safe). So when I hit a steep incline, I’d zig and zag up the hill, weaving from right to left. Business can be the same. Sometimes, it’s best to weave from left to right in order to achieve your goal, as opposed to trying to tackle it head on. It might take longer, but it’s blinking well easier!?

Let someone take the headwind for a bit

The cyclist at the front of a group will take on the headwind and it’s tough if they are leading for the whole spin on a windy day. So most groups will do an “up and over” where the first person of the group will fall back and let someone else take the headwind. It gives that person a little bit of a reprieve and ensures no single person has to take the full impact of a strong wind for the full spin. In business, it’s important to try and find that person. Someone who can take the headwind while you recoup your energy. In my case, I have a great accountant ( Contracting PLUS ) who takes the stress of dealing with Revenue off my hands. I have four amazing mentors who act as sounding boards and take some of the more taxing conundrums off my hands by offering some great insights. .?

Watch the wheel in front

You’ll notice that organised cycling clubs will cycle very closely together when out on the road. It’s not to annoy drivers. It’s important to keep close so you aren’t all taking the headwind (as above), but you can also communicate with the person behind you. You can point out potholes, warn of glass, indicate that a parked car is up ahead. All these signals are passed from the person at the front of the group, to the last person at the back - most of the time with subtle signals that can only be spotted by the rider behind. When it comes to business, I’m lucky enough to have the ear of some amazing mentors who have been “up ahead” and have already successfully launched and sold their agencies. They’re able to signal danger, point out blind spots and most importantly, encourage me along the way. Make sure you find your mentors and keep close to their wheel.?

Dress for the occasion

There is nothing more painful than wearing underwear under your cycling shorts. Do not try this at home. It’s a rookie mistake, made (and regretted) by many. It is important to dress for the occasion. The same can be said when attending a networking event or pitch presentation. Dress appropriately and that means (in my opinion), wearing clothing that you are comfortable in. Don’t go out and buy a new suit, just because you think it will look better. Wear what makes you feel confident. In my case, it’s a dress featuring dinosaurs / cats / lobsters or a skirt with pockets - whatever your style is, own it and let your personality shine through.?

Expect everything and anything

On a given spin, you can expect rain, hail, sun, wind, a puncture, a change of direction, tears and at least one strop (from a driver or fellow cyclist). Whatever happens, you need to be prepared. In business, you sometimes need to change direction, amend a strategy or go back to the drawing board. Success isn’t defined by any single element and all of these are changing constantly. Rather than trying to control the unknown, just prepare as best you can and go with the flow - you never know, you might end up in a better position than where you hoped you’d be. Success has many faces!?

Certain speeds bring added risk

Accidents happen. When you are heading down a steep incline, it’s worth noting that there are unexpected dangers that you will not be able to deal with at speed. You have less time to react and without discouraging a good blast down a hill after a tough climb, it’s worth telling yourself that you should expect danger. High growth businesses developing?at speed can expect danger - whether that’s growing faster and hitting a point where you have to lay off staff suddenly, to launching a product that’s so outrageously popular that it sells out, much to the dismay of unhappy customers who are waiting on an order. High growth might look like an attractive strategy, but it comes with its own risks.?

Slow on the corner

Speaking of speed, when taking a corner, it’s too late if you’re slowing down on the bend. You’re likely going too fast to safely take a sharp bend and will end up sliding down on your shoulder beside your bike, rather than being ON IT (it’s not nice, I can tell you!). Instead, slow down before the corner, anticipate a sharp bend and take it slow. You can always build up speed again afterwards. When I started Connected Content, I failed to heed my own advice. I rushed into a deal that didn’t work out and I ended up with a few grazes. Lesson learned (quickly), grazes healed, back in the saddle - now to pick up the pace again.

A puncture doesn’t mean your race is over

Now I never got into competitive racing, but the Wicklow 100 was enough of a challenge for me, thank you very much (it was a 100km cycle around Wicklow). Punctures happen and if you can’t change the tyre quickly yourself, there’s always a team mate who can help. Yes, it’s a delay but your spin isn’t over.?If you have faced a setback - whether it’s redundancy or missing a big contract, it’s just a set back. Just like your bike isn’t totaled (completely banjaxed) when you experience a puncture, your business (and you), will bounce back - it just depends on how long it takes for repairs to take place and how good the fix is!

Wear sunscreen

As a pasty, freckle faced Irish woman, Factor 50 goes on my face religiously - even in Winter. It’s great protection and my future self will thank me. In terms of protection for yourself in business, it can take many forms: a great mentor, a savvy, proactive accountant, cash-flow, pension, sales, investments - whatever it is, protect yourself. Get professional advice and don’t leave it to chance.?

Focus on where you want to go, not the area you want to avoid

I was lucky enough to work with Alan Heary when I started considering a move to self-employment. He explained that if you see a pothole on a spin for example, don’t focus on it. Instead, shift your focus beyond it and where you want to go. Nobody wants to hit a pothole on a carbon bike, or on any bike for that matter! When it came to business coaching, Alan’s advice was the same. Don’t dwell on what didn’t work before. Yes, learn your lessons, heal your wounds, but focus on where you want to go and what you want to achieve. If you focus on the negative, that’s where you’ll stick - in a pothole / rut. Instead, look beyond the rut and where you want to be.?

So if you’ve read this far…thank you!!!?It’s the start of “getting back in the saddle” and moving forwards. I hope to keep you entertained with future updates. If you have any feedback, I’m all ears! I don’t pretend to know it all and I am most certainly learning every single day, so I’m all for feedback!?

With thanks to Tara Nelson ACII for letting me skim one of her images from the website. If you're into cycling, please give her socials a follow! (https://www.veloflamingo.com/)