Cycling · by Mateo Cruz · 2026-09-19
The small routes habit that changed my late summer before coffee
This is probably obvious to veterans here, but it clicked for me only recently. maintenance got easier when I stopped treating every attempt like a final exam.
I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.
Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the routine for a while.
My current rule is simple: if it takes less than 6 minutes to prepare, I am much more likely to keep doing it.
I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.
Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the routine for a while.
My current rule is simple: if it takes less than 6 minutes to prepare, I am much more likely to keep doing it.
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