Love/Belonging: Joining a club and finding cycling buddies
Once you're comfortable riding around other people, it's time to find your crew. If you're the only cyclist you know, see if local bike shops offer group rides, and ask a shop employee if there are any clubs in the area. It might take a couple test rides to find the right group for you; clubs often vary by ability level, and some are more social where others are more training-oriented. But put in the mileage: finally falling in with the best crew for you is worth it.
More: Riding a Bike Improves Your Self-Esteem
Esteem: Earning the respect of your fellow cyclists
Esteem starts with the self, but everyone wants to be held in high regard within his or her social circle. The satisfaction you gain from taking a big pull at the front of a group ride; leading a trail ride and picking lines; or executing a rad bike trick while people are actually watching (it happens!) is even greater when a fellow rider recognizes your awesomeness with a pat on the back or audible "Good ride!" If you're already at the stage where you regularly lead rides and steals KOMs, make sure you build up newer cyclists with high-fives and compliments, and encourage riders who are suffering.
Self-Actualization: Deciding what your ultimate goal is as a cyclist, and chasing it
The pointy end of Maslow's pyramid is all about you. Self-actualization is something you define for yourself: You need to decide what kind of a cyclist you want to be, and what your ultimate two-wheeled goals are. This might mean committing to a specific cycling discipline, or deciding what commitment even means to you. Do you want to go pro? Ride a century? Organize the best group rides? Bike to every café in the state? Ride to work every day? The choice is yours, but once you make it, you need to see it through!
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