Riding to Success: What a 120-Mile Bike Trip Teaches You About Leadership

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that count." - Winston Churchill.

Our 120-mile bike trip from Connecticut to Lake George wasn't just about cycling. It was a journey that taught us invaluable leadership and personal growth lessons. Here's what we learned and how it applies to leading in business.

Pushing Through Tough Times

We faced a strong headwind for the first 60 miles, with a consistent but less severe headwind for the next 20 miles. The cold was biting, and I had forgotten my warm headgear, forcing me to improvise with clothing that my fellow riders thought was funny—our first hour in the dark involved navigating many elevation changes. But despite these challenges, we kept going. This is what grit looks like in action.

A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that people with grit - those who stick to long-term goals - are 31% more likely to succeed in challenging situations. Leaders need this same kind of determination. When things get hard, great leaders don't quit. They keep pedaling. This might mean pushing through a tough quarter, continuing to innovate during a market downturn, or persisting with a project when initial results are discouraging.

Bouncing Back from Problems

Things sometimes went differently than planned. Besides the cold and wind, we had to deal with traffic. Many drivers needed to give us the proper 3-foot spacing, creating dangerous situations. I had to do without adequate headgear, which affected my comfort and performance. At one point, my legs were burning badly, and I fell 3/4 mile behind my friends. These challenges are like the unexpected issues leaders face every day.

Leadership is not just about setting a course but also about navigating the unexpected. On our ride, we adapted to the cold, found solutions to problems, and kept moving. This is the essence of resilience, which 94% of executives believe is crucial for leadership. In a business context, this might involve quickly adapting to a change in market conditions, finding creative solutions when a project hits a roadblock, or maintaining team morale during a company restructure.

Breaking Big Goals into Smaller Steps

We took the 120 miles and broke the trip into 20-mile chunks. At each stop, we checked how we were doing. We planned our stops based on convenience stores for drinks and food, such as Cumberland Farms, Love's Travel Stop, and Stewarts. This approach works in business, too.

Research by Edwin A. Locke and Gary P. Latham shows that setting specific, challenging, but achievable goals leads to better performance than vague or easy goals. We stayed focused and motivated by breaking our long ride into shorter parts. Leaders can use this same idea with their teams, setting clear short-term goals that lead to significant long-term wins. For example, a CEO might break down a five-year company vision into annual, quarterly, and monthly objectives for different departments.

Supporting Each Other and Being Accountable

We constantly checked on each other during the ride, asking, "How are you doing?" and "is everything good?" This support and accountability got us through the challenging parts. When my legs were hurting and I fell behind, knowing my friends were waiting, it pushed me to catch up. Even when I went 2 miles past where they had stopped and had to turn back, adding an extra 4 miles to my ride, their support kept me going.

This shows why creating a supportive work environment matters. A Harvard Business Review study found that employees who feel supported by their leaders are 67% more engaged at work. Teams that feel safe taking risks and being open with each other outperform others by 12% on average. In a business setting, this could mean regular check-ins with team members, creating a culture where it's okay to ask for help, and ensuring that employees feel their contributions are valued.

Dealing with Outside Challenges

One big issue was dealing with traffic. Cars often passed too close to us, sometimes at 50 - 60 mph or more. This was dangerous and required us to stay alert and adapt quickly. We wished drivers would give us more space—even 6 feet instead of the recommended 3 feet would make a big difference.

Businesses face similar external challenges—market changes, new regulations, or global events. Leaders need to stay focused on their goals while adjusting to these outside factors. A PwC survey showed that 63% of CEOs are very worried about how external issues might affect their growth. Our bike ride shows that you can handle these challenges with good preparation and flexibility. In business, this might involve having contingency plans, staying informed about industry trends, and being ready to pivot strategies when necessary.

Working Together Toward a Common Goal

We set this goal together, planned it together, and achieved it together. This shared effort made us stronger as a group. We were determined to accomplish the same thing we did last year, and this shared vision kept us motivated throughout the 8.5-hour journey. The sense of accomplishment we felt at the end was truly fulfilling.

The same is true in business. A study in the Journal of Business Research found that teams with shared goals are 27% more likely to perform well than teams without clear, shared objectives. This shared vision not only keeps everyone on the same page but also fosters a sense of unity and connection among team members.

Using These Ideas in Leadership Training

When we work with clients and trainees to develop their leadership skills, we use examples like our bike ride. It shows how determination, resilience, goal-setting, accountability, support, and commitment work in real life. We emphasize how these principles apply to short-term challenges (like getting through a problematic ride) and long-term goals (completing the entire 120-mile journey).

By sharing our experience, we give a real-world example of how these ideas play out in a challenging situation. This helps our clients see that these aren't just fancy words but practical tools for getting great results. We encourage them to think about their own 'long rides' in their careers or businesses and how they can apply these principles to achieve their goals, empowering them with the knowledge that they can overcome challenges.

Wrapping Up: The Leadership Journey

Our 120-mile bike ride, with all its challenges, is a lot like the leadership journey. It shows that you can achieve big goals with determination, resilience, good planning, and support from others. The ride allowed us to be away from everything, enjoy the scenery, strengthen our friendships, and connect to the road.

For leaders, the path ahead often looks long and complex. But we can overcome any challenge by breaking down our goals, supporting each other, staying committed, and keeping our determination. Just as we checked in with each other every 20 miles, leaders should regularly assess their progress and adjust their strategies as needed.

Remember, like our bike ride, leadership isn't just about getting to the end. It's about the journey, the growth, and what you learn. It's about enjoying the process, building relationships, and becoming stronger through challenges. So gear up, face the challenges, and start your leadership journey. The road might be extended, but what you achieve - and who you become along the way - is worth every mile.

If you would like some coaching, reach out to Mark for a FREE strategy call